Disability Pride Month

In honor of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July of 1990, Disability Pride Month is celebrated each July to highlight disabled ways of being, knowing, and thriving in the past, present, and future. Disability Pride Month serves as an opportunity for organizations to celebrate disability culture, draw attention to the expertise and lived experience of disabled individuals, raise awareness around ableism – intentional or unintentional discrimination or prejudice against disabled people – and engage non-disabled individuals in thoughtful and meaningful dialogue around disability and ableism.

2024 Theme: “We Want a Life Like Yours”

This theme comes from The Arc’s National Council of Self-Advocates. It reflects the disability community’s dreams for life experiences that they are too often denied. All month, we’ll share diverse stories of people with disabilities thriving as students, employees, leaders, engaged members of their communities and families, and more given a chance.

What is Disability Pride?

Disability Pride is the idea that people with disabilities should be proud of their disabled identity. People with disabilities are the largest and most diverse minority within the population, representing all abilities, ages, races, ethnicities, religions and socio-economic backgrounds.

The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) provides an incredible Disability Pride Toolkit with information and further resources touching on intersectionality, representation, ableism, the history of Disability Rights, and encouraging pride in the Disabled identity.