In July 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law, marking a significant step toward greater inclusion and accessibility. This historic event inspired the first Disability Pride Day in Boston in October 1990 and, in 2004, Chicago hosted the first annual Disability Pride Parade.
Now, each July, we celebrate Disability Pride Month, shining a spotlight on the history, achievements, and rights of people with disabilities. It’s a time to honor the diversity of the disability community, challenge societal perceptions, and promote inclusivity. Here’s why we need this important celebration.
Celebrating Identity and Community
For many, Disability Pride Month isn’t just a commemoration — it’s a time of empowerment! During this month, individuals with disabilities find a powerful platform for self-acceptance and celebration. Community and solidarity are emphasized as people come together, support one another, and amplify each other’s voices.
Disability activist Ben Elwy writes, “Disability pride is about celebrating and making visible our existence in the world and finding community with each other so that progress against ableism can continue.” For fellow activist Melissa Shang, “disability pride means self-love and self-acceptance in a world that tells us we are less than.”
Events like parades, workshops, and community gatherings create spaces where individuals can connect, share experiences, and build lasting bonds. These activities work to inspire unity and belonging, reminding everyone that they’re not alone in their journey.
Promoting Visibility and Awareness
One of the core missions of Disability Pride Month is to combat systemic ableism and change societal attitudes toward disability.
As Sarah Triano of the National Disabled Students Union puts it, “There is a tremendous need to create a counterculture that teaches new values and beliefs, and acknowledges the dignity and worth of all human beings. Disability pride is a direct response to this need.”
Through events, discussions, and advocacy efforts, this month-long celebration shines a spotlight on the varied experiences of people with disabilities, emphasizing that disability is an integral part of human diversity and identity — not a problem or even a source of “inspiration.”
Ultimately, Disability Pride Month acts as a platform for change, calling for a shift towards treating individuals with disabilities with the respect and equality that everyone deserves.
Encouraging Allyship and Advocacy
This month has also become a key time for fostering allyship and advocacy. The visibility of Disability Pride Month often serves to encourage others to listen to disabled voices, educate themselves on disability issues, and stand in solidarity with the disability community.
Allyship requires active engagement, listening, and amplifying the voices of those with disabilities. More specifically, being an ALLY, as described by the CDC, involves:
- A: Acknowledging and respecting individual experiences and abilities.
- L: Learning about different disability types.
- L: Leveraging your influence to promote accessibility and inclusion.
- Y: Yielding the floor to people with disabilities to help identify and eliminate barriers.
With that in mind, Disability Pride Month provides plenty of opportunities for allies to support events, share resources, and work side by side with the disability community to advocate for inclusive policies and practices.
How to Celebrate Disability Pride Month
For more reasons than one, Disability Pride Month plays an important role in the empowerment of the disability community and the rejection of ableism. So how can you celebrate and support Disability Pride Month? Here are some meaningful ways to participate:
- Share stories. Share your personal stories or amplify the voices of individuals with disabilities to raise awareness.
- Educate yourself and others. Take time to learn about disability history, culture, rights, and current issues. Listen to the stories of people with disabilities to understand their experiences from them directly.
- Attend Disability Pride workshops, events, and celebrations. Participate in virtual or in-person events that celebrate disability culture and history.
- Support creators & businesses. Engage with and support artists, writers, and entrepreneurs with disabilities, amplifying their work and experiences.
- Volunteer and advocate. Offer your time and skills to organizations that support people living with disabilities, working to create accessible environments and equitable opportunities. The Arc, The National Disability Rights Network, and Diversability are a few organizations to consider! Here at CDChoices, too, we champion self-directed living, working to give people with disabilities more autonomy in their home care.
Disability Pride, Everyday
Disability Pride Month is celebrated once a year but its significance resonates far beyond July. As we celebrate this month, let’s carry its mission forward, ensuring that the values of equality, accessibility, and dignity are upheld year-round.
Support efforts to create accessible environments, educate yourself and others, and amplify the voices of people with disabilities. By celebrating diversity and advocating for accessibility and equality every day, we can ensure that the progress made is lasting and impactful.
