What is Disability Pride Month and Why is it Important?

Disability Pride Month is a time to celebrate the diversity, culture, and achievements of people with disabilities. It is also a time to raise awareness and challenge the stigma and discrimination that people with disabilities face in society.

Disability Pride Month occurs in the United States every July to commemorate the passing of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life, such as employment, education, transportation, and access to goods and services.

The first Disability Pride Day was held in Boston in 1990, the same year that the ADA was signed into law. Since then, many cities across the country have held their own Disability Pride parades, festivals, and events to celebrate the disability community and its contributions to society.

Disability Pride Month is not only for people with disabilities, but also for their allies, friends, family members, and supporters. It is an opportunity to learn more about the experiences and perspectives of people with disabilities, and to recognize their value and dignity as human beings.

Disability Pride Month is also a chance to promote a positive and empowering view of disability, as opposed to a medical or pity-based model. Disability Pride is about embracing one’s identity as a disabled person, and rejecting the idea that disability is something to be ashamed of or fixed. Disability Pride is about affirming that disability is a natural and beautiful part of human diversity.

By celebrating Disability Pride Month, we can help create a more inclusive and accessible society for everyone. We can also honor the activists and advocates who have fought for the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities throughout history. We can also inspire the next generation of leaders and changemakers who will continue to advance the disability rights movement.

Disability Pride Month is a time to celebrate who we are, how far we have come, and how much more we can achieve together. Join us in celebrating Disability Pride Month this July!