What is Disability Pride?
Image description: Top left photo shows two young boys, one using a white cane, standing in front of a banner at a parade. From the 2015 New York City Disability Pride parade (the first parade in NYC). Top right, a black and white photo of Disability activists Marca Bristo, Paul Miller, Judy Heumann, Justin and Yoshiko Dart in front of a parade of people and a painted banner reading “‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’ - Martin Luther King, Jr.”. Photo date unknown, but possibly from the first celebration in 1990. Bottom left, a black pickup truck parading down a city street followed by people waving and holding red, white, and blue banners, with one that reads “Pride”, from the “Disability Independence Day March” in 1993. Bottom right, a photo of two women and a man using wheelchairs followed by a crowd of people in “Disability Pride NYC” t-shirts, from the 2019 Disability Pride parade in New York City. Text in the middle of the image reads “Disability Pride” on a blue background with a yellow burst graphic.
Launched in Boston in 1990, the same year the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed, Disability Pride has been a part of the disabilities community each July. DP celebrates the over 1 billion people around the world with disabilities, honors the Disabled Identity, and reinforces the fact that disability is not abnormality. Rather, Disability is a part of the beautiful diversity that is being human. DP fights against a history of stigmatization, shame, and isolation with unabashed self-determination and PRIDE!
Parades and festivities happen every year in major cities like Chicago (the first parade, starting in 2004) and New York (since 2015). Disability Pride is officially recognized by at least two cities nationwide, including New York (in 2015) and San Francisco (in 2020), though very few cities and no states have official proclamations commemorating the month. It also has yet to receive any official National designation in the U.S. Code. More than just a means of self advocacy and a push for acceptance, Disability Pride is above all a celebration of inclusion and the individuals with disabilities who are proud to be themselves!
In recognition of Charleston’s first Disability Pride event, on July 1st, 2021 the City of Charleston signed a Proclamation officially making July “Disability Pride Month” in Charleston, SC.
The next year, the City of North Charleston joined the celebrations by officially recognizing July as “Disability Pride Month” beginning in 2022.
The Youth Disability Advocacy Service’s video highlighting the voices of young people with disabilities and what Disability Pride means to each of them.
Intersectionality
We all, each of us, are the sum of our parts with multi-dimensional identities combining to create our own unique individuality. To wit, people with disabilities are not defined solely by their Disabled identity, though that is a part of their whole selves of which they can certainly be proud. Disability, gender, race, religion, ethnic background, sexual orientation, and so much more; these identities weave a diverse tapestry making up ourselves, coexisting in the same body. Each aspect cannot be separated or viewed alone because it all composes an individual. Pride is the embracing of these facets of the person beyond simply acceptance, but with full inclusion and full-hearted love.
Is Disability Pride affiliated with LGBTQ+ Pride?
Celebrated in June, LGBTQ+ Pride - probably the most famous Pride event in the country - is historic and essential in its own right. However, it is not affiliated with Disability Pride. While a bedrock of Disability Pride is recognizing the many facets that make up an individual, including gender and sexual orientation, the intersection of Disability and the LGBTQ+ identities is not the only focus for Disability Pride. DP is for anyone and everyone who identifies as a member of the Disability Community.
What is the preferred language when discussing disabilities?
Above all else, respecting the preferred language of the individual is most important. Every one is their own person with their own choices about how to discuss their disability, their identity, and their personhood. A growing number of self-advocates prefer identity-first language, with the idea being that their disability cannot be separated from their identity. For example, preferring Autistic person, Deaf person, Disabled person. Individuals may also prefer person-first language, that identifies the person before their diagnosis. In this example, a person who has autism, a person who is deaf, a person with disabilities. Bottom line - each person may choose what makes them feel most comfortable, and we all honor that choice.
Learn More
The National Council on Independent Living provides an incredible Disability Pride Toolkit with information and further resources touching on intersectionality, representation, ableism, the history of Disability Rights, and encouraging pride in the Disabled identity.
To learn more about the Disability Rights movement and its lead into Disability Pride, UC Berkeley has incredible archives and oral histories that you should check out.