Disability Pride Month
July is Disability Pride Month!
Individuals with disabilities are the largest and most diverse minority population in the world.
“Ableism is discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities and/or people who are perceived to be disabled, and it perpetuates the myth that disabled individuals are inferior to abled people.”
For some, Disability Pride is a new concept. In an ableist society, or a society that favors and caters to abled people, being proud of this aspect of your identity can feel liberating but also uncomfortable.
Being proud of who you are as a whole person after society has indicated you shouldn’t be can take a lot of unlearning.
We’re still learning too. So if you’re new to this, welcome! This month is about celebrating and honoring the uniqueness and diversity of the human experience!
Like LGBTQ+ Pride, it’s been a long journey to get to Disability Pride.
The access that society has become accustomed to, such as ramps, ASL interpreters, closed captioning, curb cuts, etc. are only possible because of Disabled activists and organizers and the collective actions from the Disabled Community.
Activists like Judy Heumann, Brad Lomax, Johnnie Lacey, Corbett O’Toole, Kitty Cone, Mary Jane Owen and rights groups like ADAPT…
organized the 504 sit-in of the Federal Building in San Francisco,
blockaded public transit in Denver to protest bus inaccessibility,
blocked access to the American Public Transit Association annual convention, and
abandoned their wheelchairs and mobility aids to crawl up the steps of the U.S. Capitol, using their bodies to demand equal access and equal treatment under the law.
Without these direct actions, we would not be celebrating the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) this month. But Disability Pride isn’t just about access, it’s also about being Disabled and visible in communities without the stigmas and burdens that society has placed on Disabled folks.
“Disability Pride isn’t just about access, it’s also about being Disabled and visible in communities without the stigmas and burdens that society has placed on Disabled folks.”
Yet, the Disabled Community still faces systemic, social, and physical barriers because of our ableist society.
Ableism is discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities and/or people who are perceived to be disabled, and it perpetuates the myth that disabled individuals are inferior to abled people.
For example, did you know that…
….disabled individuals face marriage discrimination and are forced to live in poverty by the U.S. government?
….Black and disabled individuals face more state violence than their white and nondisabled counterparts?
….Disabled individuals and bodies are discriminated against in the media, in movies, and on social media?
What can we do as individuals and as a society to end this discrimination?
Contact your representatives and tell them to support the SSI Restoration Act of 2021, which would allow Disabled folks to get married without losing their income, benefits, or health insurance.
Ensure Disabled individuals are part of your Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work right now, and not included as an afterthought.
Hire Disabled people and accommodate them. The pandemic showed us working from home and having flexible hours are possible. Continue providing remote access to work, to your events, and to healthcare.
Assess the accessibility of your work space, your website, your events, and your social media. Are you using Universal Design? Do you provide alt text and image descriptions on your pictures and posts? Do you use CamelCase for your hashtags? Do you provide captioning on your videos and live streams? Is there a place for folks to request accommodations for events? Are you prepared to accommodate them? Is your event space accessible? If not, it’s not accessible. Full stop.
Change your language and change your mindset. Disabled is not a bad word.
Stop using “Special needs.” There is no such thing as special needs. They are just human needs.
Stop using “wheelchair bound.” Wheelchairs offer freedom and independence, Try “wheelchair user” instead.
Stop saying Disabled people are “inspiring” for just living their normal lives.
Diversify your social media feed. Start following Disabled activists, especially Black, Disabled activists, and new hashtags.
Imani Barbarin (Crutches & Spice)
Keah Brown #DisabledAndCute
Nakia Smith
Morénike Giwa-Onaiwu
Alice Wong (Disability Visibility)
Alex Darcy (Wheelchair Rapunzel)
Gregory Mansfield (@GHMansfield on twitter)
Rebekah Taussig (Sitting Pretty)
Corey Lee (Curb Free Cory Lee)
Follow the Lucky_fin_project
Follow the Black Disability Collective @BlackDisabled
Follow Upgrade Accessibility
#DisabledAndCute
#CripTheVote
#ActuallyAutistic
#StopTheShock
Watch Crip Camp
Do not give to organizations that claim to “speak for,” infantilize, or act paternalistic towards Disabled folks. Do your research before giving!
About Dana…
Dana Kiernan is an experienced data analyst and researcher, providing support across all VACV projects. Prior to joining VACV, Dana worked as a data and research analyst for the Thriving Cities Group, focusing on jobs access along the Richmond Highway Corridor. She has a background in public policy and health. Dana lives in Eugene, Oregon with her husband and two dogs. Contact Dana at dana@vacommunityvoice.org.