The month of July was designated as Disability Pride Month to mark the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was passed on July 26, 1990.
The first celebration was a Disability Pride Day that year in Boston, and Chicago hosted the first Disability Pride Parade in 2004. Here’s more about the history of Disability Pride Month and the story behind the disability pride flag.
Advocacy organization The Arc sets a theme for each year’s observance, and in 2024 the theme is “We Want a Life Like Yours.” It reflects the disability community’s dreams for life experiences that they are too often denied.
You can also visit The Arc’s story hub, and read a Good Housekeeping article with “27-Eye Opening Quotes from People with Disabilities,” starting with, “Stop saying I am inspiring or amazing when I do ordinary things.”
Along those same lines is this Ted Talk by comedian and journalist Stella Young, called, “I’m. Not Your Inspiration, Thank You Very Much,” and you can read more about being an effective ally for people with disabilities here.
Women with disabilities face intersectional discrimination due to both their gender and disability. They face obstacles that have become systemic to fundamental aspects of life including education, employment, healthcare, and public accommodations.
NOW members can take action in support of Disability Pride by reaching out to elected officials about policies that impact people with disabilities. Here’s a link to more information about legislative action before Congress, including strengthening Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) support for millions of people with disabilities.
Finally, here’s three-time Paralympic gold medalist Brenna Huckaby’s Disability Pride Month story she shared on Instagram.
This month, NOW members know that while the ADA accomplished historic progress for people with disabilities, there remains much more to do. Our determination will not falter.