Celebrating Disability Pride

Black and white photo of person in a manual wheelchair holding up their fist. A sign resting on their legs reads "The Largest Minority," a posting in the back reads "Change not Charity" Photo taken by Tom Olin

Disability Pride Month is an opportunity to honor and reflect on the decades of organizing and advocacy that ultimately led to the Americans with Disabilities Act becoming law on July 26, 1990. It’s also a time to recognize the leaders of the civil rights movement, whose efforts inspired and helped pave the way for the disability rights movement.

Now, 35 years later the disability rights movement has grown tremendously with advocates all over the world continuing to champion voice, choice, and independence.

Disability is a natural part of our life experience, and we embrace that identity – just like all the others that make up who we are.

Disability impacts all of us. In the United States, at least 1 in 4 adults has some type of disability. People with disabilities are the largest and most diverse minority group, representing all ages, races, ethnicities, religions, and all socio-economic backgrounds.

Disability Pride offers an opportunity to combat ableism, challenge stigma, and break down barriers to accessibility. Whether you are familiar with Disability Rights and Justice Movement or just beginning to explore disability identity, we all have a role to play in building a more inclusive world by protecting our rights and advancing equity.