It's July and it's that time of year again to celebrate Disability Pride Month.
This month, we encourage everyone to come together and celebrate the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community.
There are several actions you can personally take along with Blue Sky Learning for Disability Pride Month to challenge ableism and support the work of disability activists in creating a more equitable, inclusive, diverse, and accessible society for all.
Read on to discover more about what Disability Pride Month is, how disability can be defined, how neurodivergence fits in, resources, and more.
What Is Disability Pride Month?
Disability Pride Month occurs every year in July. During this time, individuals across the world celebrate disabled individuals.
Disability Pride is described as recognizing each individual's uniqueness as a beautiful part of human diversity that makes the world stronger.
It recognizes how society treats disabled individuals and what is needed to advocate for a more just world free from ableism and hatred towards disabled individuals.
Disabled individuals, especially BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and women, have historically been denied opportunities and pushed out of public spaces.
For this reason, this month is intersectional and recognizes that, similar to LGBTQ+ pride, it reclaims visibility within society.
Individuals are encouraged to transform perceptions of disability by promoting it as a natural facet of human diversity.
This is a time for the disability community to come together and amplify each other’s voices, recognizing that disabled voices deserve to be heard.
We all have a responsibility to ensure that the world is diverse, inclusive, equitable, and inclusive and that no disabled individual is left behind.
What Is the Theme for Disability Pride Month 2024?
Each July, there is a different theme for this month.
In 2024, the theme comes from the Arc’s National Council of Self-Advocates and is “We want a life like yours.”
This theme represents the dreams of disabled individuals. Dreams that we are often denied.
Disabled individuals hope and aspire for a world where disabled individuals are given a chance and don’t have to jump through a ton of barriers to be treated as equal.
History of Disability Pride Month
Disability Pride Month started in the United States in 1990. The development of this month is related to the disability rights movement.
It has been celebrated every July since July 26th, 1990, when the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) became law after years of advocacy for disabled individuals.
The ADA is a federal civil rights law that protects disabled individuals in society from being discriminated against.
This law guarantees that disabled individuals have equal access and rights to employment, housing, goods, and services, as well as to participate in activities.
The same year the ADA became law, Boston was the first to hold a Disability Pride Day.
Interestingly enough, even though Disability Pride Month started in 1990, it wasn’t until July 2015, or the 25th anniversary of the signing of the ADA, that the first official celebration of Disability Pride Month occurred.
Since then, disability celebration activities such as parades and festivals have expanded across the world, including to Canada.
In Ontario, Canada, Ontario's Bill 128 — "Disability Pride Month Act, 2023" — passed in 2023.
It recognizes disability in the following excerpt as “not only an identity but also a community with a diverse culture all their own to be proud of and celebrate.
Disability culture is about visibility and self-value. Disability Pride Month is a time for recognizing these facts and listening to people with disabilities.”
What Is the Disability Pride Flag?
The original disability pride flag was designed by Ann Magill, who has cerebral palsy. The flag included a black background with zigzag stripes that had five colours, each representing a different category of disability.
The original zigzag itself was a representation of how disabled individuals have to zigzag around barriers within society to be able to participate.
This design had some issues in regards to accessibility itself. The zigzag caused individuals with visually triggered disabilities such as epilepsy to have their symptoms triggered.
As a result, Ann Magill consulted with the disability community for suggestions on how to make the flag more accessible.
In 2021, she modified the flag to take out the zigzag aspect of the design and to lower the intensity of the colors in the flag.
The result was a straight diagonal banner of five colors on a dark background. Each color of the flag has its own meaning.
The faded black background represents mourning for those lost to ableism.
Each of the colors represents a different category of disability, including:
Green: sensory disabilities
Blue: mental health disabilities
White: invisible and undiagnosed disabilities
Yellow: cognitive and intellectual disabilities
Red: physical disabilities.
The flag as a whole represents the fact that the celebration of disability spans borders between nations.
You can proudly display the disability pride flag this July, a symbol of unity and empowerment for the disability community.
What is the Disability Rights Movement?
Disability Pride Month is a direct result of the work of disability advocates across the world through what is known as the Disability Rights Movement, which arose in the 20th century in Canada.
Stemming from the social justice movement, it examines disability and ableism as they relate to oppression and identity.
This movement addresses intersectional issues related to disability, including accessible housing, low rates of social assistance, and transportation.
This work aligns with all social justice work for a world that is equitable, inclusive, diverse, and accessible.
It lobbies all levels of government to remove barriers that exist within society that prevent the full and equal inclusion of all disabled individuals.
The Disability Rights Movement has led to the enactment of several laws to prevent the discrimination of disabled individuals.
These laws include the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States and the Accessibilities for Ontarians With Disabilities Act (AODA) in Ontario, Canada.
Despite these positive changes, there is still work that needs to be done for society to truly be diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible.
How Is Neurodivergence Connected to Disability Pride Month?
The Disability Rights Movement can be further broken down into several branches that advocate for different forms of disability.
The Neurodiversity Movement began within the Autism Rights Movement and is one of these extensions of the Disability Rights Movement.
It is not run by any specific person or organization but is instead a movement of several individuals coming together for the same end goal.
The goal is to seek civil rights, equality, respect, and full societal inclusion for the neurodivergent.” Dr. Nick Walker
This differs from the Autism Rights Movement because the Autism Rights Movement is for the rights of autistic individuals versus all neurominorities.
Furthermore, those in the Neurodiversity Rights Movement do not view neurodivergence as a disease or condition to be fixed. They view it as a way to navigate the world in a different way.
Whereas, some individuals in the Autistic Rights Movement do not support this view and still assume autism is a disease.
Why Is Disability Pride Month Important?
The world’s largest minority group is the disability community.
Despite disability being so widespread, disabled individuals are disproportionately represented among those in poverty and unemployed groups and are at a greater risk for violence.
Below are just some of the facts about disability that explain why it is important to advocate for a more just world during Disability Pride Month.
Facts About Disabilities
Disabled individuals often face significant barriers in society that prevent equal and full participation.
For this reason, we want to shed some light on this by exploring some facts surrounding disabilities.
These include:
In 2022, in Canada, compared to 80.1% of those without disabilities. approximately 65.1% of disabled individuals aged 16 to 64 were employed.
During the same time period, those without disabilities earned a median hourly wage that was 5.5% higher than that of disabled individuals.
72% of disabled individuals report experiencing at least one barrier to accessibility.
Disabled adults reported a 12-month suicidal ideation rate that was 3.5 times greater.
These facts surrounding disabilities highlight the importance of society contributing to a model surrounding disabilities that views society as an issue of accessibility.
It is barriers that prevent the full inclusion of disabled individuals, not the disability itself. We need to advocate for a social model of disability.
This is a time for disabled individuals to celebrate who they are and to call on allies to advocate for a world free from barriers and ableism.
How You Can Celebrate Disability Pride Month?
There are a number of ways that you can challenge ableism and show up for the disability community.
Here are some of those ways:
Believe people when they disclose a disability.
Make accessibility the default and provide accommodations.
Don’t require disabled individuals to prove they are disabled to you.
Listen to and uplift disabled voices. Do not speak on behalf of or over disabled people.
Recognize your biases and actively work to unlearn them.
You can also educate yourself about disabilities, systems of oppression, and the role you play in creating a more equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible world.
Below is a list of just some of the resources available to you.
Resources for Disability Pride Month
The disability community is diverse, and there is no universal resource that will relate to everyone, just like there is no one universal definition for disability among the disability community.
There are however, resources, that we have put together as disabled individuals that we would recommend you check out.
Blue Sky Learning Disability Advocacy
Building Blue Sky Learning™ Tkaronto/Toronto-based services has been an entrepreneurial dream of a lifetime.
Dana desired to cultivate an inclusive space where equity, diversity, and well-being thrive.
Her lived experience, local teaching roles, international leadership, and extensive experience supporting disabled folks were all foundational moments embedded into the development of this initiative for accessibility.
Dana strongly believes that her struggles with disability and witnessing the stigma around mental health and suicide prevention throttled her forward into this pivotal moment for change.
Her team members embody values of compassion, empathy, and person-centered approaches.
Blue Sky Learning allows students, professionals, parental guardians, and educators to connect with us regarding individual concerns and areas of growth.
Dana strives to provide service where clients feel safe, supported, and intersectionality understood.
Blue Sky Learning reduce stigma and shame cycles, deepen client understanding of internalized ableism, and empower areas of avoidance to increase your value of motivation.
Books to Read for Disability pride month
Disability rights activist Alice Wong sheds light on the experience of disabled individuals.
It includes blogs, manifestos, and eulogies highlighting the everyday lives of the disabled community.
This book acts as a guide to becoming an informed and active ally for the disability community.
You will find actionable steps for what to say and not say, education on ableism, and how to be inclusive.
This book shares stories about how disabled individuals have been ignored and marginalized.
It celebrates the triumphs and achievements of those who fought to change this ableist system.
Explores neurodiversity and shifts our society’s views of what neurodivergence entails.
It explores a shift toward accepting differences rather than treating them as a problem.
5. Crip Kinship
The sharing of Sins Invalid, which is a story of the rewriting of oppression by disabled, queer, trans, and gender-nonconforming bodyminds of colour or queer disability justice
This book includes essays by disability justice activist Leah. It explores disability justice, a movement centering the lives of the sick, disabled, queer, trans, and BIPOC.
Accessibility 101 Workshop
Ableism is discrimination against disabled individuals that favors abled individuals as superior. It’s rooted in the belief that disabled people require fixing.
This ableism can be internalized, where disabled people hold prejudiced views against themselves, known as internalized ableism.
Accessibility focuses on enabling access for disabled individuals within society.
Discover more about ableism and how you can make your workplace more accessible for disabled individuals by booking a Blue Sky Learning Accessibility 101 workshop.
Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy
Receive counseling for your neurodivergence from one of the Blue Sky Learning therapists or coaches.
Registered Social Worker Krystal and Registered Psychotherapists (Qualifying) Sandra, Tarni, and Rebecca are currently accepting clients.
The counselling services embrace a neurodiversity-affirming approach, which views brain differences involved in neurodivergent conditions as something that makes the world a better and more diverse space.
They offer 20-minute free consultations, and you can prepare for your consultation using our how-to guide.
During your sessions, the therapist will work with you to understand your unique neurodivergent challenges, including from the viewpoint of ableism.
You'll uncover your strengths and discover how to use them to your advantage to accommodate yourself and craft a workplace, home, school, or community environment that fits your needs.
Neurodiversity-Affirming Coaching
Blue Sky Learning also offers neurodivergent-affirming coaching, which seeks to support you in discovering ways you can accommodate your challenges.
It will also teach you ways to use your strengths to your advantage.
A number of the Blue Sky Learning coaches are currently accepting clients, including Maddy, Kim/Em, Ayeshika, Tony, Amanda, Ellie, and Dragana.
Book a Free Consultation With Blue Sky Learning
Are you seeking a neurodivergent coach or therapist in Canada?
Or, are you looking to learn more about disabilities in an Accessibility 101 workshop?
Book a free 20-minute consultation with one of the Blue Sky Learning team members by emailing hello@blueskylearning.ca or go through the link below.
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