Yes, pride!

For a lot of people, the idea of people being ‘proud’ of their disabilities can be a little confusing. Our society often sees disability as something to be afraid of – or to avoid entirely.

For a long time, people with disabilities were pushed away from public view.

Institutions like Willowbrook were overcrowded with people who were considered “mentally defectives” – many with developmental disabilities who were traumatized in the facilities.

As for public access and employment?

It was almost unheard of.

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The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990.

Because of this, Disability Pride Month takes place in July.

The ADA was a historic moment for the disability rights movement, and fought hard for by many people with disabilities and our allies.

It essentially gave us more of a right to exist in public, helping to ensure access to the world around us – and provided (some) legal protection against discrimination.

The ADA supplemented and strengthened other important disability laws and decisions – like Section 504, and laws that allowed people with disabilities to access a public education.

It also helped pave the way for similar laws to protect tenants with disabilities (within the Fair Housing Act) and travelers with disabilities (the Air Carrier Access Act).

From the Capitol Crawl to the 504 Sit-Ins, people with disabilities have fought hard for our right to exist – just as we are.

And of course, the fight is ongoing.

Despite the Americans with Disabilities Act being law, non-compliance and barriers often still remain. The ADA is a lifeline in many ways, but it exists in a precarious position – especially in today’s climate.

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People don’t always realize the things the movement fought for – or what still goes on today.

Being denied access to places, to safely attend public school, use public transportation, or the right to work? These things still happen.

Things like “ugly laws,” which meant police could arrest people just for being disabled in public? Now, it’s estimated that a significant portion of people killed by law enforcement have a disability – with Black disabled people being at higher risk.

Eugenics programs such as forced sterilization?The practice still continues today for some people with disabilities – especially to those who are BIPOC, those considered “incompetent,” and people who are incarcerated or detained.

Not being able to safely access transportation? This is still highlighted by inaccessible stations and the fears of airlines destroying lifesaving medical equipment and wheelchairs.

Abuse in institutions? This trauma remains today in places like the Judge Rotenburg Center, many psychiatric hospitals, and some group homes.

And yet, these are only some of the barriers to be addressed. We still have so much more work to do.

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Disability pride is complex.

When some people hear the term “disability pride,” they may think that it means downplaying or outright ignoring the difficulties of being disabled.

That‘s not quite the case.

Disability pride is about community.

It’s that connection and bond we share with each other, even when our disabilities are vastly different.

It’s recognizing all the barriers, knowing how far we’ve made it – and understanding that we aren’t done.

Disability pride means having the audacity to love yourself, just as you are.

It means acknowledging the difficulties and the struggles that come with disability – but still saying “my life is worth living.”

It’s knowing and recognizing that disability is varied – with individuals coming into the community with different stories, needs, and backgrounds. It’s seeing that ableism operates through intersections, that not everyone is impacted the same.

It’s about looking back and forward, all at once.

It’s knowing that you’re not alone.

• Advocacy