As Powers marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 in today’s challenging political climate, we recommit ourselves to the principals on which the ADA rests. That is why, in 2025, Powers joined with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and the Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy (CSADP) to launch the Bobby Silverstein Fellowship.
Bobby Silverstein, our former colleague and dear friend, played a leading role in drafting the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), a landmark civil rights law that forever changed the legal and cultural landscape for people with disabilities. Bobby understood that the pursuit of equity requires both vision and persistence, and that civil rights must be both written into law and woven into the fabric of our institutions.
Created in Bobby’s memory, the Silverstein Fellowship supports emerging leaders with disabilities who are working to advance disability law and policy, carrying forward Bobby’s belief that meaningful, lasting change happens behind the scenes: through research, relationship-building, negotiation, and principled persistence.
Our inaugural Fellow, Adriana DeMercurio, has brought clarity and purpose to this work. Reflecting on the ADA and her Fellowship work at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law this summer, she shared, “As someone with a disability I can work, go to school, and live a meaningful life. Unfortunately, it is still not fully enforced, and I have to fight for my rights in almost every area, but I have the ADA to back me up. Without it, I would have no leg to stand on.”
During her Silverstein Fellowship, Adriana has worked on critical policy issues, including funding for individuals with serious mental illness. In doing so, she has gained insight into what Bobby knew instinctively: that the fight for civil rights continues long after a law is passed. It is fought in meetings, in agency guidance, in budget negotiations, and in the quiet but vital processes of government and governance.
Bobby’s wife, Lynne Silverstein, captured his legacy beautifully: “Bobby believed that in every era, there are new freedoms to be sought. He would want us to look ahead to identify the next challenges, and to work to overcome them through collaborative problem-solving.”
In the words of Powers Managing Partner, Peter Thomas, “The ADA reminds us that civil rights are not static; they must be defended, advanced, and reimagined with each generation. At Powers, we are proud to support the next generation of disability leaders who are shaping the future of policy and access. It’s not only how we honor Bobby’s legacy, but how we carry it forward.”
Peter W Thomas, Managing Partner, Powers
Adriana DeMercurio, 2025 Bobby Silverstein Inaugural Fellow, and
Maria Town, President & CEO, American Association for People with Disability