Disability Pride Month

 

(Source: Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida)

Happy Disability Pride Month!

                                                  

During the month of July, individuals from all around the world recognize Disability Pride Month to amplify the contributions of those with disabilities, celebrate our differences, and raise awareness about some of the obstacles the disabled community still face in society today. Although this month is not officially recognized by the United States, many organizations such as Best Buddies have sought to draw attention to the importance of Disability Pride Month. Let's take a closer look at the history behind the month!

History

On July 26, 1990, the U.S. federal government officially passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This civil rights law prohibited discrimination based on disability throughout all areas of public life, including employment, transportation, and telecommunications industries. Because the ADA was passed in July, we celebrate Disability Pride Month during this time in order to remember the official signing of this important law.

A few days after the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed, Boston celebrated its first ever Disability Pride Day. Later, in July of 2015, New York City observed the first official Disability Pride Month by holding a city-wide parade in recognition of the ADA. Since then, events have been held throughout the U.S. to celebrate Disability Pride, including Chicago, Madison, and Los Angeles!

New York City celebrating its third annual Disability Pride Parade in July 2017.

Interesting Facts

• An estimated 15 percent of the world's population live with some type of disability
• The celebration of Disability Pride Month has received support worldwide, including in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and more!
• The Disability Pride Flag was designed by Ann Magill, with each color representing a different form of disability: sensory (green), physical (red), invisible and undiagnosed (white), cognitive and intellectual (yellow), and psychosocial (blue). See below:

YLC Members' Thoughts

I had the opportunity to ask some questions to a few YLC members about their thoughts on Disability Pride Month. Here's what they said:

Why is it important to celebrate Disability Pride Month?

"Judith Heumann once said, 'Disability only becomes a tragedy when society fails to provide the things needed to lead one's daily life.'

Disability pride is an opportunity for bringing awareness to the ableism, discrimination, hardships and restrictions people with disabilities face on a daily basis. It's an opportunity for everyone: individuals, businesses, corporations, organizations, government, health care professionals and society to address these issues and remove the barriers so that people with disabilities are treated equally and provided with  access to the things they need to lead their daily lives. 

Readers, for 10 Ways to Make Your Events More Accessible visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpH2hP6RbaI"  

- Vanessa Ocana, California

"I believe it is important to celebrate Disability Pride Month because without truly embracing who we are the world would be a mundane place, our individuality adds not only inspiration to others but fuels us to create change in the world."

- Matias Gonzalez, Arizona

"Besides serving as a time to celebrate the beauty in uniqueness, Disability Pride Month exists to spread information and educate individuals on the history of inclusion to show how far we have come while also highlighting the ways in which we can further improve ourselves as an inclusive society. Disability Pride Month encourages the celebration of differences as opposed to the condemnation of them, and teaches others to be more aware of their own predispositions and biases. It is important to celebrate differences every month, Disability Pride Month just provides an official time to do so!"

- Grace Elmore, New York

What does Disability Pride Month mean to you?

"Disability Pride means embracing my identity: Mexican American Woman diagnosed with cerebral palsy who uses a walker and wheelchair. It means consistently advocating for accessibility, equity and the removal of barriers so that I have the same opportunities as my peers without disabilities. It means living and pursuing my purpose to help the next generation of people with disabilities who require mobility devices, so they do not have to go through the same hardships and restrictions I do. I will continue to be proud of who I am and fight towards who I am destined to be."

- Vanessa Ocana, California

"Disability Pride Month to me means being true to yourself and really embracing who you are through triumphs and torments and also embracing others, we are all trying to get through this wonderful thing called life together."

- Matias Gonzalez, Arizona

"For me, Disability Pride Month is a time to put a bit of extra effort into spreading awareness and being a difference activist. Focus on speaking out in situations where you may have normally remained silent; use the month to better yourself as a unique individual and friend. Take time to reflect on your own areas of improvement, speak out proudly, and show your pride!"

- Grace Elmore, New York

Resources

I encourage you to check out the following resources to learn more about Disability Pride Month and how you can raise awareness. By simply sharing a resource below on your social media or talking more about Disability Pride with your family/friends, we can become one step closer toward ensuring that all aspects of our society will become fully accommodating and inclusive for people of all abilities.

YLC Disability Pride Month Video: https://youtu.be/F0XrMEVYHQ0 

YLC Disability Pride Month Instagram Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CgCg0FjFweV/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

National Consortium on Leadership and Disability for Youth: http://www.ncld-youth.info/

Disability Museum: https://disabilitymuseum.org

Disability History: https://disabilityhistory.org

Rooted in Rights Blog: https://rootedinrights.org

Ollibean: https://ollibean.com

DisabilityIn: https://DisabilityIn.org

Thanks for reading!

In friendship,

Nathan Moldavsky

YLC Member, Wisconsin