July is Disability Pride Month, which this year is celebrating its 32nd anniversary after the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed on July 26, 1990, to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities.
It has been described as a way to “accept and honor each person’s uniqueness” and “promote visibility and mainstream awareness” of positive pride felt by people with disabilities, according to AmeriDisability.
Some people may see it as a time to celebrate their individual success and accomplishments, whereas others may celebrate the feeling of pride about being disabled.
No matter what the month means to individuals, the main focus is to be proud of being disabled and for people to be unapologetically themselves without having to fear making others uncomfortable or hiding for the comfort of others.
Ableism is a massive problem around the world and has created a big stigma against disabled people and results in barriers to everyday life.
Disability Pride Month is an excellent opportunity to start conversations and raise awareness among people who are not part of the disabled community on how to be better allies and what they can do in support.
The Disability Pride Flag
The Disability Pride Flag was created by Ann Magill, a disabled woman, and each of its elements symbolizes a different part of the disability community.
- The Black Field: this field represents the disabled people who have lost their lives due not only to their illness but also to negligence, suicide, and eugenics.
- The Colors: Each color on this flag represents a different aspect of disability or impairment.
- Red: physical disabilities
- Yellow: cognitive and intellectual disabilities
- White: invisible and undiagnosed disabilities
- Blue: mental illness
- Green: sensory perception disabilities
source: https://news.stonybrook.edu/