July is Disability Pride Month, a month to acknowledge being disabled and proud. The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990, a landmark law that prohibited discrimination against people with disabilities. In that same year, Boston held the first Disability Pride Day.
Although Disability Pride Day isn’t nationally recognized, parades are held in a number of places nationwide, such as Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, San Antonio and more. In 2015, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio declared July Disability Pride Month in celebration of the ADA’s 25th anniversary.
This annual observance is used to promote visibility and mainstream awareness of the positive pride felt by people with disabilities.
Unfortunately, the celebration hasn’t recognised in India but there is a dire need to indulge in the celebration of disability pride month.
In terms of disability-related challenges, self-stigmatization and internalized ableism can be one of the hardest parts to overcome. Disability Pride is “accepting and honoring each person’s uniqueness and seeing it as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity” and connects it to the larger movement for disability justice.
The Relevance:
- According to the WHO, 15% of the world’s population identify as disabled.
- Deaths from Covid-19 are almost 2 times higher for people with disabilities.
- Disabled individuals are 2x more likely to be the victim of a violent crime than a non-disabled person.
Awareness events like Disability Pride Month call for an inclusive world. Here are some ways to celebrate Disability Pride Month:
- Avoid using ableist language. Stop using terms like ‘handicapped’, ‘physically challenged’, ‘divyang’, ‘victim’ as such language is dehumanizing and implies powerlessness.
- Follow and share authentic stories of disabled people on social media.
- Use your creativity to let the world know you care about rights of disabled people.
- Hire people with disabilities.
- And most importantly, continue to educate yourself. Listen and learn from those around you.
Let’s systematically work towards removing physical, attitudinal, legal and technological barriers so that persons with disabilities can live a dignified life.
Always remember, their voice must be heard as much as yours. They need to be heard, and for this, we all need to make noise for their rights and well-being.