I often hear people say that young people take many of the things we do in our daily lives for granted. Graduating from high school and going to college are certainly opportunities we expect should be available to us if we work hard. Sometimes it's hard to believe that less than a generation ago a person like me who uses a wheelchair would very likely have found the doors to college and job opportunities literally closed to them.

The passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 changed the course of my life and the lives of millions of other Americans. Signed into law 20 years ago July 26, the ADA is one of the most significant civil rights bills in our country's history and has helped guarantee the basic freedoms of independence, accessibility and opportunity for people with disabilities. For me, it's meant the opportunity to graduate from Sir Francis Drake High School and to enroll in college. While I've certainly faced obstacles, knowing that I can pursue my dreams and plan to live independently when I'm done with school makes my hard work worth it.

The ADA improved access to employment and housing for people with disabilities, as well as guaranteed access to public transportation – all of which means people with disabilities can pursue work and school, contribute to our economy, pay taxes and be active in our communities. Schools, colleges, public buildings and activities now must be open to people with all kinds of disabilities. Perhaps most importantly, living with a disability no longer means being isolated and without a voice in decisions that affect us.

Sparked by young activists in the '60s and '70s, the disability rights movement and the ADA's passage have established a strong foundation for changes we need to be fully included in community life.

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ADA and the pioneering disability rights advocates who made our success possible, we do so knowing our generation of young advocates must pick up the torch and continue our fight for full access and opportunity. We're ready for the challenge, and I believe the next step is to ensure that more people in our community know about disability history and the contributions people with disabilities make in our society.

I learned about the ADA and the disability rights movement for the first time when I participated in the Youth Leadership Forum, a program that engages high school juniors and seniors with disabilities to become strong leaders and give back to their communities. It was life-changing to be a part of a disability community and see that people can take pride in having a disability.

I also learned about the rich and often painful history of discrimination and institutionalization people with disabilities have endured, because of society's judgments and misguided assumptions. Just like other minority groups, the disability community has had to fight for our rights and prove society's views wrong.

Sadly, our history is not often recognized, even though there are more than 54 million people in America living with disabilities. Inspired by what I have learned, I worked to establish a Disability Awareness Week at my high school, and I am working with the Marin Center for Independent Living to break down barriers and increase understanding between youths with and without disabilities.

My classmates and friends tell me that I've changed their lives through telling my story. When we learn about each other, it can make a difference in how people see disability and allow them to see that people with disabilities have much to contribute.

Promoting understanding of people with disabilities is why I worked to help draft ACR 162, a resolution authored by Assemblyman Jim Beall, D-San Jose, that would establish the second week of October as Disability History Week and encourage all schools and colleges to incorporate disability history into their curriculum.

I was fortunate to be one of two witnesses to testify when the resolution was heard in the state Assembly. Seeing my work and that of other advocates come so far was one of my proudest moments. I know that ensuring more young people learn about disability history not only will help promote conversation and understanding between people with and without disabilities, it also will help other young people with disabilities see that they can make a difference in their communities.

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Allie Cannington, a recent graduate of Sir Francis Drake High School in Fairfax, is the youth advocate intern for the Marin Center for Independent Living.