Happy Disability Pride Month

July is Disability Pride Month! Since 1990, July has been an important month for the disability community. On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) was passed. The ADA was created to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Following the passing of this landmark legislation, Boston held the first Disability Pride Day in July 1990, and the pride month was born! Since then, the number of major cities that are participating in Disability Pride events continues to grow.

Although the parades and pride are relatively new for the disability community the idea stems from the Black Pride and LGBTQ+ movements. The disability justice movements help advocate for intersectionality in order to address the needs of people with disabilities regarding race, gender, class, ethnicity, etc. Making the room for all individuals to show up as their whole, authentic selves help foster a strong sense of community. This can help people navigate systematic barriers, stigmas, and prejudices that can take a toll on a person thriving. Especially given the negative impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on people with disabilities, the need for community is more important than ever for this marginalized group.

Why would disability pride be needed today? Well, according to the National Council on Independent Living, disability pride helps combat ableism that is running rampant in the United States. This can include barriers to access and stigmas that are put up against individuals with disabilities. Disabilities look different on everyone who is experiencing them. You cannot always physically see a disability so individuals can experience both visible and invisible chronic illness. The world was not designed for people who have disabilities, and it can be hard to receive access to safe job environments and housing for example because needs are invalidated or completed ignored altogether.

To gain disability justice, everyone needs to understand that all bodies are unique and important, all bodies have strengths and needs that must be met, and all bodies are powerful within their own right. Thanks to the hard work of disability advocates, disability pride continues to evolve. We are getting closer to amore equitable society although there is still a long way to go.  

Resource: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/how-to-celebrate-disability-pride-month