From "You'll Never Speak" to Capitol Advocate

When Kenneth Kelty was born, doctors told his mother he would never be able to speak. Today, he's not only speaking - he's making sure his voice, and the voices of others with disabilities, are heard in the halls of power.

Kelty is an award-winning motivational speaker, disability advocate, and host of the podcast "Exceeding Expectations," where he shares stories of trailblazers and leaders in the disability community. He works at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities at UNC Chapel Hill in Carrboro, where he advocates for inclusive policies and programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

But his journey to advocacy began with one pivotal moment in fifth grade.

At age 10, Kenneth wanted to go on his fifth-grade class trip to Washington, D.C. It was the kind of experience every kid looks forward to - seeing the nation's capital, spending time with friends, making memories. But school officials didn't think he could go because of his disabilities. Kenneth has cerebral palsy, fibromyalgia, an intellectual and developmental disability, and is on the autism spectrum. At the time, he couldn't read.

But he could speak up for himself.

His mother had been bringing him to his IEP (Individualized Education Program) meetings, teaching him to advocate for his own needs. In those meetings, Kenneth learned that his voice mattered - that he had the right to ask for what he needed and to challenge assumptions about what he could and couldn't do.

So Kenneth advocated for himself. And he went on that field trip to Washington, D.C.

It's a full-circle moment that still resonates today. That young boy who fought to visit the Capitol now regularly visits both the North Carolina State Capitol in Raleigh and the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. - not as a tourist, but as an advocate fighting for policy changes that make society more inclusive for people with disabilities.

Kenneth went on to graduate from Western Carolina University through its inclusive post-secondary education program, the University Participant Program. After graduation, he completed the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (LEND) Program at CIDD - a federal program that trains various health providers and self-advocates in the developmental disabilities field.

His work has earned him national recognition. In 2020, he won a video contest celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, sponsored by the Association of University Centers on Disabilities.

Kenneth's podcast, "Exceeding Expectations," features conversations with current students and alumni of inclusive post-secondary education programs, discussions about disability policy and advocacy, and interviews exploring issues like the disability marriage penalty and access to services. His recent episodes have included panel discussions with IPSE program participants and interviews with leaders in the Think College movement, which promotes college opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities.

Kenneth's advocacy extends beyond his podcast and speaking engagements. He recently spoke to Spectrum News about North Carolina's disability services crisis, sharing his personal experience of waiting 14 years on the Innovations Waiver waitlist before receiving a slot. The Innovations Waiver program provides funding for direct support services that help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live more independently in their communities.

"I am a pretty independent person, but I still need help with being able to pay bills, and I still would like to be able to have someone take me out in the community," Kenneth told Spectrum News. "I just want to be able to live my life and not have to worry about getting services or what could happen if I don't."

On Monday, November 18, Kenneth will introduce his friend and mentor, Liz Weintraub, at the HOPE NC 2025 Inclusive Housing Summit at the Friday Conference Center in Chapel Hill. HOPE NC (Housing Opportunities and Peer Education in North Carolina) focuses on creating inclusive housing options for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The summit, which runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., will explore how to keep inclusive housing development moving forward despite challenging state and federal budget climates.

Weintraub, Senior Advocacy Specialist at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, is also the host of "Tuesdays with Liz: Disability Policy For All" - the same platform where Kenneth has appeared as a featured guest. She previously served as a Fellow for U.S. Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, working in his D.C. office on disability policy. Her keynote address is titled "Advocacy is for Everyone." The summit will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person.

You can listen to Kenneth's podcast "Exceeding Expectations" on Spotify, follow his work on Facebook (@kennethkelty and his public speaker page), check him out on YouTube (@kennethkelty6166), and Instagram (@kkeltyspeaker). His podcast episodes offer insights into disability advocacy, inclusive education, and the lived experiences of people navigating systems that weren't always designed with them in mind.

From that determined 10-year-old who refused to miss his class trip to the advocate speaking at conferences and in legislative halls, Kenneth Kelty embodies what it means to exceed expectations - not by meeting someone else's standards, but by defining his own possibilities and helping others do the same.