What is Disability Pride Month?

Credit: University of Chicago Illinois

On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law – prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodations, and communications, in relation to access to state and local government services. The support and freedom this act has created gave rise to how, every July we celebrate Disability Pride Month to commemorate the passage of this landmark civil rights law. The same government that enacted the law only started officially recognize the Disability Pride Month in the United States in 2004. Time to start planning for the 20th anniversary for next year!

Credit: League of Women Voters

Let’s make it clear that, disability pride is not to overlook the challenges and barriers people with disabilities encounter – the point is to celebrate the contributions and worth of people from the community, honor dignity, protect rights, promote visibility, and applaud achievements. DPM is a reminder of these importances and why they are being fought.

According to the World Health Organization, the disability community has been called “the world’s largest minority,” as an estimated 15 percent of the world’s population live with some type of disability. At an even higher ratio, one in 4, or 27%, of adults in the United States have some type of disability, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

Credit: CDC

Historically we tend to think of people with disabilities as a singular population – statistically, it’s a much more diverse group of people with varying needs. We mostly consider physical or outward disabilities yet there are also many classifications for intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). Sometimes this means constant hurdles or the need of assistance toward the abilities of learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and living independently. Sometimes it means being actively divergent as presented by the SSI:

Please note that this is not the full list and the list continues to grow to be more inclusive. While some progress is being made at the legislative level – for example, the passage of the ADA Amendments Act in 2008 – more should be done before we live in a truly inclusive world.

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Credit: Find Your Own Hope

The treatment of people with disabilities throughout our history has been largely marred by segregation, discrimination, and blockades of basic human rights. Strides within the community that have pushed governing bodies to recognize the community are one of the many things to celebrate. Intrinsically, there’s much more to be prideful about:

Attend a Disability Pride Month event in your area for years to come as this list grows (or contact local/state entities on how you can help head a parade, gathering, or convention in your area):

The Disability Pride Parade in Chicago. Photo by Sergio Goncalves via Wikimedia Commons

Credit: CUNY

“Disability pride can simply mean being proud of your whole self and embracing who you are with your disability. Disability pride is not looking at what you can’t do but focusing on what you CAN do. Disability pride is advocating for your needs, spreading awareness for inclusivity and acceptance, and educating those who may not have all the answers. Disability pride is recognizing you may need some help to do certain things, but not giving up to achieve your goals and make your mark on the world.”

– Jamie Austin, Itinerant TVI at the Maryland School for the Blind Statewide/Outreach Services Department

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