July is Disability Pride Month and has been officially celebrated since 1990. This celebration marks the anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), that was signed into law July 26, 1990, by George W. Bush. The ADA was landmark legislation which broke down barriers to inclusion for Americans with disabilities, making it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities. Boston held the first Disability Pride event in July of 1990, with many cities joining in the years to follow.
A disability is described as a physical or mental condition that limits a person’s movements, senses, or activities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the challenges faced by disabled people can come in a variety of forms:
A physical environment that is not accessible
A lack of assistive technology
Negative attitudes towards disabled people
Services, systems and policies that are either nonexistent or that hinder the involvement of all people with a health condition in all areas of life.
According to the CDC 27 percent of Americans have a disability. Even with the ADA, the voices of those with disabilities can be ignored or silenced. This world was not built for those with disabilities, which can lead to disabled voices being ignored, erased, or invalidated. Disability Pride gives an opportunity for amplification of those voices. This amplification is important to combat the widespread ableism and stigma against people with disabilities. More amplification can also breakdown barriers to access for disabled people. Disability Pride is incredibly important for many reasons including being able to:
Challenge misconceptions and stereotypes
Foster a sense of community and belonging.
Promote inclusion and accessibility.
So, how can you celebrate and amplify Disability Pride? This article has some wonderful ideas.
We have picked out a few to highlight here.
Learn about ableism. Here is a very informative article about ableism.
Read books by disabled authors.
Watch movies such as CODA that show the reality of disabled people’s lives.
Attend Disability Pride events in your area.
Donate to organizations that focus on and benefit disabled people.
Hire disabled people.
Disability Pride month is an important time to recognize and celebrate the diversity and strength of people with disabilities. It is also a time to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the disability community and to advocate for greater inclusion and accessibility in all areas of society. By embracing Disability Pride, we can work together to break down barriers and create a more inclusive world for everyone. Let us continue to celebrate and honor the achievements of people with disabilities and strive to create a more equitable and inclusive world for all.