Observed every July, Disability Pride Month recognizes the importance of the ADA, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990. It highlights disability culture, history, and community pride. This observance challenges the harmful idea that people with disabilities need to conform to norms to live meaningful lives. The lives of people with disabilities are just as full, valuable, and worthy of respect—no more, no less.
As disability rights face growing threats in healthcare, education, employment, and public life, it becomes critically important to push back against ableism—discrimination and bias against people with disabilities—and exclusion. Recognizing Disability Pride reminds us that people with disabilities will not be erased, ignored, or pushed aside.
The colors on the Disability Pride flag represent important diversity within the Disability Community.
- Red Stripe: Physical disabilities
- Gold Stripe: Neurodiversity
- Blue Stripe: Emotional and psychiatric disabilities
- Green Stripe: Sensory disabilities
- White Stripe: Undiagnosed and invisible disabilities
It is important to note that the black area around the colored stripes of the flag represents mourning for ableist violence, abuse victims, people who committed suicide and those with disabilities who were lost to injustice of any kind.
What can we do this month to support Disability Pride?
- Learn about the roots and richness of Disability Pride by diving into disability history, rights movements, and cultural contributions.
- Follow disabled activists on social media and listen to what they share—not just during Disability Pride Month, but year-round
- Learn from people with disabilities through movies such as Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution and CODA, and through books such as Demystifying Disability, The Anti-Ableist Manifesto, and Disability Visibility.
- Donate to disability advocacy organizations.
- Challenge ableism. Push back on harmful language and outdated thinking every time you encounter it.
- Talk to people in your community who have disabilities. Ask what matters most—and back them up.
