July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of the 70 million Americans with disabilities. This month, we work to promote inclusion and accessibility; challenge stigma and ableism; and take a stand for disability rights.
During July, we commemorate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by President George H.W. Bush on July 26,1990. The landmark legislation prohibited discrimination against disabled people in a variety of public spheres.
Before the ADA, people with disabilities routinely faced discrimination in nearly every aspect of daily life. Many were denied jobs simply because they had a disability. Businesses, restaurants, hotels, theaters, and stores often lacked accessible entrances. Public transportation was frequently unusable for wheelchair users, and accommodations such as sign language interpreters or accessible communication were rarely provided. Schools, workplaces, and public spaces often excluded people with disabilities, leaving many isolated from opportunities that others took for granted.
The ADA changed that. Modeled after earlier civil rights legislation, it made discrimination based on disability illegal in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. Employers became required to provide reasonable accommodations unless doing so would create undue hardship. Businesses and public buildings were expected to remove barriers when readily achievable, and new construction had to meet accessibility standards. The law also led to improvements in accessible public transportation, curb cuts, ramps, elevators, accessible parking, captioning, telecommunications relay services, and countless other accommodations that have become part of everyday life.
Despite its positive impact, the ADA did not create a perfect environment for those living with disability. Disabled people still encounter many obstacles because of inaccessibility, low employment rates, exclusion and stubborn prejudices. Disability Pride Month calls attention to the important work that still needs to be done.
Beyond celebrating the ADA, Disability Pride Month also celebrates disabled identity and resilience, and shows that disability is a natural part of the human experience. For generations, disabled individuals were encouraged to hide their disabilities. Parents of disabled children were discouraged from raising them in the community. They were excluded from schools, workplaces and many other aspects of public life. Disability Pride Month directly challenges that way of thinking, reinforces values of inclusion and affirms that every person deserves dignity, respect, and equal opportunities.
Here are some ways you can celebrate disability pride during July and all year round:
- Educate yourself and others by reading books by disabled authors and about topics related to disability.
- Support businesses that champion disability rights and employment.
- Participate in a disability pride march or community event.
- Participate in a race to raise money for an organization that supports disabled people.
- Speak up when you hear bigoted, uninformed or hurtful language toward disabled people.
- Volunteer for an organization that benefits disabled people.
- Share, read and listen to stories about living with disability.
