“Disability Pride began as a day of celebration when the ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990. The first official Disability Pride Month was in July 2015 for the 25th anniversary of the ADA. Disability Pride Month is celebrated annually each year in July.” [1]
“Disability Pride Month is a time to recognize the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of people with disabilities. It affirms that disability is a natural and valuable part of human diversity—not a deficit or condition to be fixed.” [2]
“Disability Pride Month celebrates disabled persons embracing their disabilities as integral parts of who they are, reclaiming visibility in public and interacting fully with their disabilities out in the open, and rejecting shame and internalized ableism.” [3]
What is the ADA?
“The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with disabilities from discrimination. It was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush. July 26 is federally recognized as National Disability Independence Day.” [4]
What is the meaning of the Disability Pride Flag?
“Initially designed in 2019 by Ann Magill [a writer with cerebral palsy], the Disability Pride flag was created to encompass all disabilities. It was revised in 2021 with community input, and is now in the public domain. Within the flag, each color stripe has a meaning:
- Red – physical disabilities
- Gold – neurodiversity
- White – invisible disabilities and disabilities that haven’t yet been diagnosed
- Blue – emotional and psychiatric disabilities, including mental illness, anxiety, and depression
- Green – sensory disabilities, including deafness, blindness, lack of smell, lack of taste, audio processing disorder, and all other sensory disabilities
The faded black background symbolizes mourning and rage for victims of ableist violence and abuse.
The diagonal band cuts across the walls and barriers that separate the disabled from non-disabled society, also representing light and creativity cutting through the darkness.” [5]
What is the theme of the Disability Pride 2025?
The 2025 theme— “We Belong Here, and We’re Here to Stay”—is a powerful reminder that people with disabilities are essential members of every community.
How to get involved in Disability Pride Month
- Learn about disability rights history and the impact of the ADA or similar legislation in your country.
- Attend or support Disability Pride events, whether in person or online.
- Read, watch, or listen to work by disabled creators, authors, artists, and activists.
- Make your workplace, organisation, or digital platforms more accessible.
- Use inclusive language and challenge stereotypes when you encounter them.
- Share content about Disability Pride and raise awareness on social media using official hashtags.
It is a time for the disability community to come together, uplift, and amplify one another’s voices and be heard.
Resources
[1] https://adaanniversary.org/themes/july/
[2] https://thearc.org/blog/why-and-how-to-celebrate-disability-pride-month/
[4] https://hr.uw.edu/cfd/2024/07/01/learn-and-engage-this-disability-pride-month/
[5] https://www.daphealth.org/july-is-disability-pride-month/
[6] https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/disability-pride-month-2025/