July Is National Disability Pride Month: Celebrating Strength, Identity & Inclusion
Each July, we honor National Disability Pride Month — a time to celebrate the achievements, identities, and lives of people with disabilities, while also raising awareness about the importance of accessibility, equity, and inclusion.
Though Disability Pride Month is still growing in public recognition, its message is powerful: disability is not something to hide or fix — it’s something to embrace and understand.
Why July?
National Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July to mark the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was signed into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA was a landmark piece of civil rights legislation that prohibited discrimination based on disability in all areas of public life — from schools and workplaces to transportation and beyond.
The month is an opportunity not just to reflect on the past but also to work toward a more inclusive future.
What Is Disability Pride?
Disability Pride is about shifting the narrative around disability. It encourages people to:
Embrace disability as a natural part of human diversity.
Take pride in their identities and lived experiences.
Challenge harmful stereotypes or assumptions.
Advocate for accessibility, visibility, and equal rights.
It’s not just about awareness — it’s about empowerment.
Ways to Celebrate and Support
Here are some meaningful ways individuals, families, workplaces, and communities can recognize Disability Pride Month:
Learn and Listen
Take time to hear directly from people with disabilities. Whether it’s through books, blogs, podcasts, or social media, amplify voices that share authentic experiences.
Make Spaces More Accessible
Look around your home, school, or business and ask: Is this space welcoming to everyone? Simple improvements — like ramps, captioning, or sensory-friendly options — can make a huge difference.
Educate Kids Early
Teach children that differences are something to celebrate. Reading inclusive books or having open conversations about disabilities helps build empathy and reduce stigma.
Support Disability-Led Organizations
Donate to or volunteer with groups led by and for people with disabilities. Their work is crucial to advancing accessibility and rights.
Celebrate Disability Culture and History
From artists and athletes to scientists and activists, people with disabilities have shaped every aspect of our world. Let’s recognize and celebrate their contributions.
A Few Fast Facts
Over 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. lives with a disability — that's more than 61 million people.
Disabilities can be visible or invisible, including mobility challenges, sensory conditions, chronic illnesses, neurodivergence, and mental health conditions.
Disability Pride Flag: This symbolic flag features bright, diagonal stripes on a black background — representing the diversity and vibrancy of the disability community, and the barriers people still face.
Final Thought
National Disability Pride Month isn’t just a celebration for those with disabilities — it’s a time for all of us to reflect on how we can build a more inclusive, understanding, and equitable society. When we celebrate diversity in all its forms, we create a world that works better for everyone.
Let’s keep listening. Let’s keep learning. And let’s keep making space for all to shine.
