Q: What is Disability Pride Month? When did it start?
A: Disability Pride Month is a way to celebrate all that people with disabilities offer the world. It showcases that we contribute so much, and that we should be proud of everything that people with disabilities can do. It began in 1990, the same year that the Americans with Disabilities Act law was passed.
Q: How does someone without disabilities celebrate this month?
A: By recognizing it. We want to be recognized. I want to feel like I am the same as everyone else. Also, people can raise awareness and educate others. Even if you don’t have a disability, discuss it with others.
Q: How would you like to see this month celebrated?
I would love to see more about it on the news and media. It’s been around since 1990—that’s 30+ years!—but nobody knows about it because it’s never discussed. It seems like another example of how we’re pushed to the wayside. Without discussion there’s never going to be true inclusion for us.
Q: How do you feel about being someone who is pushing for that recognition?
A: My goal in life as someone with a disability is to be someone who ignites change. What we need is a Martin Luther King, Jr. of the disability world. Because he was able to make so many huge changes for the African American community and now we need someone like him for the disability community so we can be more equal. I hope to be. I feel like that’s why I was born with a disability. Because I am at a level where functioning-wise, I can advocate and be the voice that not everybody with a disability has.
Q: Amazing, Nell! Is there anything else you’d like to say about Disability Pride Month?
A: We’re more alike than different. And we just want to be truly accepted in the world with true inclusion in every day life. Not just at events.
Remember that Disability Pride can and should be celebrated all year! In the next few weeks, begin conversations with friends, family and coworkers about Disability Pride and educate yourself with the resources listed below. But most importantly, allow conversations and education to extend past July.
Here are some ways to celebrate this month and beyond:
Events
- Through November 3 | The Art of Disability Justice Now
- Wednesday, July 31 | 1-3 PM | Celebrate Disability Pride Month with Target
Articles, books and podcasts
- MPR is featuring Minnesotan disability advocates in their ChangeMakers series
- Educational blog posts from The Arc
- Because of the ADA… from the Minnesota Council on Disability
- Demystifying Disability by Emily Ladau
- Disability Visibility by multiple contributors
Movies, documentaries and TV shows