Disability Pride Month

Disability Pride Month, celebrated every July, focuses on honoring and celebrating people with disabilities. Disability Pride is a chance to learn more about disability rights and celebrate the vibrant disability community.

History of Disability Pride Month

Disability Pride Month traces its roots back to 1990, the year the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. This landmark legislation in the United States aims to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities.

Here’s a more detailed timeline:

• 1990: The first Disability Pride Day is held in Boston in the same year the ADA is passed.
• 2004: Chicago organizes the first Disability Pride Parade.
• 2015: New York City officially recognizes July as Disability Pride Month, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the ADA.

Why Disability Pride is Important

This month, like other pride and awareness recognition days and months, raises awareness about disability rights and the ongoing fight for equality. This month is a time to recognize the history, achievements, and experiences of the disability community. During July, we celebrate the rich culture and contributions of people with disabilities to society, challenge discrimination, and promote a more inclusive world for everyone. 

The Disability Pride Flag

The flag uses five colors to represent different aspects of the disability community:

• Green: Represents sensory disabilities (vision, hearing, etc.)
• Blue: Represents emotional/psychiatric disabilities
• White: Represents invisible and undiagnosed disabilities
• Gold: Represents neurodiversity (conditions like ADHD, Autism, etc.)
• Red: Represents physical disabilities

How to Celebrate

• Learn about the disability experience. Talk to people with disabilities, get to know them and their challenges, and learn more about disability rights in your country.
• Educate your elected officials on disability and inclusion. Research policies and platforms that affect your local disabled community.
• Use hashtags like #DisabilityPride and #DisabilityAwareness to share stories, pictures, videos, and wisdom on social media.
• Donate your time or funds to disability rights organizations that support people with disabilities. Are you in a position to hire someone? Could it be a disabled person?
• Attend Disability Pride events. (Where? This article from The Arc of the United States shares some locations!)

This July, join the celebration of disability as part of diversity, and advocate for inclusion and equal opportunities for people with disabilities in all aspects of life.