By Brandon Dow, CEO
Disability Pride Month, observed every July, provides a significant opportunity to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and challenges of the disability community. Why July? It marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a groundbreaking legislation signed into law on July 26th, 1990 by President George HW Bush, aimed at dismantling barriers and promoting inclusion in society. While progress has been made, it is crucial to acknowledge and support individuals with disabilities, their unique identities, and the diverse range of support they require to thrive.
Statistics reveal that at least 25% of American adults have a condition classified as a disability, even though only a fraction of them self-identify as disabled. Disability is an integral part of human diversity, and it is likely that most of us will experience disability in some form during our lives. It is an identity that shapes how individuals perceive and navigate the world. Unfortunately, people with disabilities have endured marginalization and misconceptions for generations. It is essential to recognize and respect all disabilities, along with the intersecting identities that individuals with disabilities may hold. One way to achieve this is by observing and participating in Disability Pride Month.
When we envision disability, we may immediately picture someone in a wheelchair, as it is the symbol commonly associated with disability, seen on parking spots and restroom doors throughout our communities. Let Disability Pride Month challenge you to broaden your perspective. Each person's experience of disability is unique, with many chronic illnesses being invisible to the casual observer. Disability encompasses various physical and mental conditions, such as cerebral palsy and bipolar disorder. It includes common conditions like chronic back pain and rare conditions like narcolepsy. Disabilities can be visible like Down syndrome or invisible like Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In fact, most disabilities are invisible. Despite the differences across disabilities, one common experience shared by people with disabilities is ableism—an entrenched prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
Throughout history, people with disabilities have faced segregation, discrimination, and violations of their basic human rights. Sadly, there remains a prevailing cultural shame surrounding disability. Being open about one's disability is often seen as "brave" because of the tangible fear of being treated differently on interpersonal or professional levels. Identifying with a disability is frequently associated with notions of limitation or weakness. That’s why the misguided compliment "I don't think of you as disabled” is so common. Disability is not inherently negative—it simply exists as a form of human variation, much like different hair colors.
People with disabilities have dreams and aspirations like anyone else, including social inclusion and employment opportunities. All bodies and minds are unique and essential, and all bodies and minds have strengths and needs that must be met.
Here are a few actionable ways to engage during Disability Pride Month:
1. Attend Disability Pride Events: Look for local events dedicated to Disability Pride Month and participate in them. These events may include parades, workshops, panel discussions, art exhibitions, or performances that celebrate the achievements and contributions of the disability community. Attending these events helps raise awareness, show support, and connect with others who share the same commitment to disability rights and inclusion.
2. Teach Your Kids to Acknowledge and Include Disabled People: Engage in ongoing conversations with your children about disability, nurturing a culture of inclusion for the next generation.
3. Support Disability-Owned Businesses: Seek out and support businesses owned and operated by individuals with disabilities. By patronizing these businesses, you contribute to their economic empowerment and help break down barriers to entrepreneurship that people with disabilities often face. Explore online directories or community resources to discover disability-owned businesses in your area or across various industries.
4. Reach Out to Your Elected Officials: Educate your elected officials about policies that affect the quality of life of people with disabilities, fostering positive change in the disability rights movement.
5. Donate or Volunteer: Support vital organizations driving positive change in disability rights by contributing or volunteering. Join the grassroots movement that creates policies, programs, and possibilities for people with disabilities.
6. Educate Yourself and Others: Take the initiative to educate yourself about disability rights, advocacy, and the experiences of people with disabilities. Watch documentaries by and about individuals with disabilities. Read books, articles, and memoirs written by individuals with disabilities. Familiarize yourself with disability-related legislation, such as the ADA, and understand the rights and accommodations that should be afforded to people with disabilities. Share your knowledge with others by engaging in conversations, dispelling myths and misconceptions, and promoting a more inclusive and accepting society.
7. Hire People With Disabilities: Combat the longstanding discrimination against people with disabilities by providing employment opportunities. Currently, 85% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are unemployed. Disability inclusion not only improves overall productivity but also opens doors to untapped markets, benefiting the bottom line.
These suggestions represent only a fraction of the ways you can participate in and celebrate Disability Pride Month. By taking part, you contribute to amplifying the voices and experiences of people with disabilities and help advance the fight for disability justice.
Disability Pride Month is an occasion to affirm the inherent worth of individuals with disabilities, uplift their stories, and champion the cause of disability justice. It is an opportunity to recognize the progress made and the work that lies ahead. Let us stand together in embracing diversity, advocating for inclusion, and creating a society that values and supports people of all abilities.
At Orion Homes, we firmly believe in the inherent value and rights of people with disabilities. Throughout the year, and especially during the month of July, we strive to amplify the voices and experiences of individuals with disabilities, working tirelessly to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and promote a society that embraces diversity and equality for all. We are dedicated to providing exceptional care and support to individuals with disabilities, fostering an environment of empowerment, dignity, and respect. Through our comprehensive programs and personalized services, we aim to create a world where individuals with disabilities are given equal opportunities to thrive. Together, we can build a more inclusive and compassionate society that values and uplifts every individual.
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