People with disabilities represent over 1 billion people across the planet and around 27 percent of the U.S. population. Disability Pride Month is observed every July to commemorate the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July of 1990. The first Disability Pride Day, or Disability Independence Day, recognized every July 26 on the anniversary of the signing of the ADA, was held in Boston in the fall of 1990.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a landmark act that protects people with disabilities from discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, State and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. The ADA was groundbreaking in that it not only provided an inclusive legal definition of the word “disability,” but also established a network of national and local services and organizations with the mission of providing equal treatment and access to opportunities for people with disabilities. Over the past three decades, the ADA has continued to shape modern life for Americans with disabilities.
The ADA catalyzed a landmark shift in culture by expanding the understanding of disability to be more inclusive not only under the law, but in society at large. However, many advocates and members of the disability community argue that society still constructs barriers limiting people with disabilities from participating as full members. Long before the passage of the ADA, disability activists raised the idea that disability is a social construct, a concept explored in a previous Ex Libris Juris blog post. Some disability activists reject the mainstream Medical Model of Disability, in which diagnoses are intrinsically linked to an individual’s body, and disability is framed as a medical condition to be treated or “fixed” so the body can conform to cultural norms. This is in contrast to the Social Model of Disability, which frames disability as a societal perspective constructed from systemic barriers and other factors that fail to take into account the individual needs of people with disabilities.
Disability pride is the idea that people with disabilities should be proud of their disabled identity. Another main feature of disability pride is advocating for disability inclusion. Disability inclusion is the practice of actively creating accessible environments and equitable opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in roles that are the same or similar to their peers without disabilities.
Disability Pride Month is a celebration of the past, present, and future accomplishments and contributions of people with disabilities. There are lots of ways to celebrate disability pride, including attending a local Disability Pride Parade in your city or attending the Virtual Disability Pride Parade hosted by Easterseals on July 26. The Houston Abilities Expo Event will be held August 4 & 6 at the NRG Center and will feature the newest accessibility technology as well as workshops, adaptive sports, dance performances, service animals, artist market, and more.
Want to learn how to be better ally? Learn more with the following resources:
How to Be a Disability Ally During Disability Pride Month - The Latest National Disability News
Become a Disability A.L.L.Y. in Your Community and Improve Inclusion for All - CDC
For local resources and services for people with disabilities, check out these resource guides from Houston-based disability rights organizations:
The Arc of Greater Houston - Resource Guide for Special Needs
Disability Rights Texas - Navigate Life Texas East Region (Houston)
Continue your research on disability and accessibility law using resources from the Law Library and around the web. The Disability & Accessibility Law Resource Guide and the Assistive Technology Resource Guide lists resources available at the Law Library and online.