Did you know July is Disability Pride Month? Every year, it is celebrated to raise awareness about people with disabilities worldwide. It officially began in July 2015 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), although people had been celebrating unofficially since 1990 when Boston held the first Disability Pride Day shortly after the ADA was passed. This month, the ADA turns 36.
I know so many people with disabilities who are living normal lives. Thanks to the ADA, some have jobs that fit their strengths, and others get the accommodations they need to do the work. For example, there is a cook at a Waffle House in Hope Hull who talks through sign language. We need to remember that people with disabilities also have abilities, and we should celebrate what they can do!
There are many ways to celebrate Disability Pride Month. One small way is to ask a disabled person if they want help before you jump in. Another one is to show off the disability pride flag. You can also go to area events like a disability expo; for example, the River Region Disability Expo is usually held in Montgomery in April. You could also host a quiet party with games tailored to everyone’s unique strengths. Overall, just be respectful and avoid the blue striped lines in parking lots because some of us need that space to get in and out of our cars and vans.
The disability pride flag has a black background with colorful stripes to represent different disabilities. The black stands for the disabled people we have lost. The green stripe is for sensory disabilities. The blue is for psychiatric disabilities. The white is for disabilities that are invisible or not yet diagnosed. The yellow stripe is for cognitive and intellectual disabilities, and the red stripe is for physical disabilities.
The flag itself has gone through some changes recently. In 2021, instead of bold stripes going in a zig-zag pattern, it was changed to straight diagonal stripes, and the colors are a little faded because the old zig-zags could trigger seizures and migraines for some people; it is also a nod to people with visual disabilities. The flag was created in 2019 by Ann Magill, who just so happens to have cerebral palsy. I am glad that there is a flag to represent each one of us and to say we exist and matter too.
Camp ASCCA celebrates and accommodates us in different ways too. Whenever someone wins an award, everyone shouts, “We are proud of you!” as they are handed a “Congrats!” or “You did it!” balloon. Also, at the BcK4T and during concerts, noise-cancelling headphones are available for anyone who needs them.
Disability Pride Month is known for supporting people who have unique disabilities around the world. It is also a great way to teach people how to include us instead of leaving us out. I love how Camp ASCCA has ways to make every camper feel seen and make camp feel like a second home.
