A fairly young holiday as far as nationally recognized days go, Disability Pride initially started as a day of celebration in 1990—the year that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law in the United States. This year, the day of celebration will be observed on Wednesday, July 26th.
Moving from the historical origins, let’s delve into a deeper understanding of what this movement truly entails. So, what and why is Disability Pride, and what does that mean for everyone else?
Table of Contents
Pride is Not What You Think
Some think of pride as hubris. And sometimes, it is. What about other times, like the present, when Pride is increasingly recognized and celebrated?
“Wanna race?
— Untitled, Emily Laudu, Disability Rights Activist, author of Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally
Don’t run me over!
Watch out for the wheelchair lady!
Do you have a license for that thing?”
Still, I am proud.
“Can she walk?
What happened to her?
The wheelchair is in the way.
Stop saying disabled. You’re specially-abled.”
Still, I am proud.
“Getting a ramp is too expensive.
You can’t come because the venue has steps.
The bathroom is too small for your wheelchair so you have to hold it.
You can get in around back through the service entrance past the garbage.”
Still, I am proud.
“We can’t help you over the subway gap.
There are no accessible Ubers or taxi services.
By the way, there’s no accessible public transportation.
Oops, we broke your wheelchair while getting it off the plane.”
Still, I am proud.
“We don’t have a budget to pay you.
We don’t care that you’re fighting for survival.
We aren’t interested in including you in ‘social justice.’
We aren’t concerned about protecting your basic human rights.”
Still, I am proud.
“You’re a fire hazard.
You’re not having kids, right?
I wouldn’t want to live my life wheelchair-bound.
I don’t know how you get out of bed in the morning.”
Still, it is Disability Pride Month, and I am doing my best to be proud.
It is a pride that calls for time to rest.
It is a pride that gives me a community to call home.
It is a pride that is messy and painful and joyful and beautiful.
It is a pride that keeps the fire burning to continue the fight.
Pride for the disabled community means reclaiming self confidence, gathering motivation, and utilizing resilience. It means personal growth and having positive feelings toward personal identity despite what others may say or do.
When you stretch out the internal meaning into a movement, Disability Pride evolves from thought to live action. A powerful concept that encourages self-acceptance, fosters positive identity, and celebrates the unique experiences and remarkable achievements of people with disabilities, This powerful movement strives to dismantle deep-rooted societal stigmas, prejudices, and ableism (discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities, intentionally or innocently meant 🔑), paving the way for a more inclusive society.
This Disability Pride Month, consider how disability is a natural and valuable part of human diversity. Celebrate alongside individuals with disabilities as they embrace their identities, assert their rights, and advocate for inclusivity and accessibility. Seek to shift the narrative away from a focus on limitations and deficits to one that truly shows off the strengths, resilience, and contributions of people with disabilities.
Now that we have explored the concept of Disability Pride, let’s examine its key aspects and what they mean for individuals with disabilities.
6 Key Aspects of Disability Pride
While individuals hold diverse perspectives on the essence of disability pride, there are often common threads that most agree upon when it comes to key aspects:
Acceptance & Self-Worth
Disability Pride encourages individuals to accept themselves as they are, recognizing their inherent worth and potential beyond disabilities. It promotes the truth that disability does not define one’s entire identity or limit possibilities.
Empowerment & Advocacy
Disability Pride empowers individuals to advocate for their rights, equal opportunities, and accessible environments. It encourages self-advocacy and collective efforts to challenge systemic barriers and promote inclusivity in education, employment, healthcare, and public spaces.
Community & Connection
Disability Pride fosters a sense of belonging among individuals with disabilities, providing a platform for sharing experiences, support, and networking. It combats isolation and nurtures a sense of community within the broader disability community.
Awareness & Education
Disability Pride The pillar of Awareness & Education has a twofold mission: to elevate consciousness and educate society about disability issues, actively dismantling stereotypes and nurturing a deeper understanding. It challenges ableism, promotes empathy, and advocates for the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of society.
Celebration of Achievements
Disability Pride exults in the remarkable achievements, extraordinary talents, and invaluable contributions. It showcases their accomplishments in various domains, including arts, sports, sciences, advocacy, and professional pursuits. It aims to shift narratives from pity or inspiration to admiration and recognition.
My Personal Connection
After spending the first 20+ years of my life going through a lack of diagnoses and struggling against my little (if any) understood problems, I finally received confirmation of a suspicion I didn’t know I had. When a doctor finally paused long enough to really listen and tell me that what I was experiencing was indeed real and not simply in my head, I felt an inexplicable weight lift from my shoulders.
Later in life, a similar thing would happen when I got proper therapy and learned about another disorder.
Possessing both physical and mental abnormalities, coming to grasp what this meant for my life was monolithic. It was freeing, and it was frightening. And to be completely honest, even as I began to understand the onset of my own disabilities, I remained largely oblivious to the hurdles that disabled people encounter on the reg. I still thought it was just me, being problematic as always.
I found the spaces that I could unthinkingly walk into now confronted me with the understanding of barriers that caused my illnesses to flair, and they felt insurmountable. And I started to recognize as my perspective shifted that I still was very privileged, and ignorant of things that others in my community battled daily.
My curiosity grew as I became more familiar with my own limitations and the cognitive dissonance that came with the territory. Of course, it wasn’t just me who struggled with the way the world worked. Cue imposter syndrome, the opposite problem. I felt fake, like my difficulties paled in comparison to those which others endure.
But spiraling and being frozen in guilt doesn’t help anyone either, I decided, after much too much wallowing.
So, I took advantage of opportunities to learn. I asked questions. Sometimes, I had to ask for forgiveness. I did research. The more I learned, the less I knew, and the more passionate I became about making the world inviting to people both like and unlike me. And there are more of us than you might think.
One in six people are disabled. That means 1.3 billion people, or 16% of this planet’s population, possess some kind of disability acquired at some point during their life, if not born with one.
Disability Pride Month is a time to take pride in those identities, celebrate our communities, and reflect on the significant strides society has made towards inclusivity. Yet the time to lay down the hammer has still not come to pass–and celebrating in July is a boon to the progress yet still needed to be made.
It is of utmost importance that we not only take pride in our accomplishments but also remain mindful of the significant work that still lies ahead.
Celebrated Leaders in the Marketing Industry
In that respect, let’s salute disabled activists, leaders, and influencers who are tirelessly swirling up ripples to direct the next wave of progress. Trailblazers who have ignited transformative fires within our society, disability activists plus their peers and colleagues alike, have inspired and fought for advancement of diversity acceptance in our industry.
Emily Yates
One prominent disability activist who has made significant accomplishments in the field of marketing is Emily Yates. A British disability rights campaigner, writer, and speaker, Yates co-founded the marketing and consultancy agency Freewheelin which focuses on promoting accessibility and inclusivity in the tourism and travel industry. If you know anything about accessibility, you know travel is a stretch for those who have complicated abilities. Working with various organizations to advocate for improved representation of disabled people in marketing campaigns, she has laid miles of track to raise awareness about disability issues and supply guides for other disabled would-be adventurers.
Alice Wong
Another notable figure is Alice Wong, a disability activist and founder of the Disability Visibility Project. While she is not specifically focused on the marketing industry, Wong has been instrumental in amplifying the voices and experiences of disabled individuals through digital media and storytelling through collaborations with companies like StoryCorps, the National Museum of American History, NPR radio, and more. Her work has contributed to challenging societal perceptions and promoting a more inclusive representation of disabled people across various industries, including marketing.
Keah Brown
A disability rights advocate, journalist, and author, Keah Brown is a trendsetter like none other. She founded the #DisabledAndCute hashtag on social media in 2017, which gained significant attention and challenged mainstream beauty standards. (Finally!) Through her activism and writing, Brown has been vocal about the importance of disability representation in media, including marketing campaigns.
Vilissa Thompson
Founder of Ramp Your Voice!, Vilissa Thompson is a social worker, writer, and disability rights consultant. Her consultancy is focused on issues related to disability rights and advocacy. Thompson has worked with brands and organizations (like Wong’s Disability Visibility Project, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities [NACDD], RespectAbility and more) to improve representation and accessibility in marketing materials, advocating for disabled people’s inclusion and authentic storytelling.
Liz Jackson
Liz Jackson is a disability rights advocate and founder of The Disabled List, a disability-led design organization. While not solely focused on marketing, Jackson has worked with major companies like Adobe, Google, Nike, and Getty Images to address the unfortunate lack of disability representation in design and marketing practices. She advocates for inclusive design principles and encourages businesses to consider the diverse needs and perspectives of disabled consumers.
Inspiring Advocates & Endless Possibilities
Notable contributions to promoting disability inclusion, representation, and accessibility in the marketing industry have been made possible because these folks saw a wall in the way of the inclusion of themselves and others and decided to act. Their advocacy efforts have acted as catalysts, igniting awareness, shattering stereotypes, and nurturing an inclusive ecosystem.
These inspiring activists are but a few shining gems in a vast treasure trove of change-makers. There are many other individuals and organizations working towards similar goals, each making their own unique impact within the field. Their presence permeates every corner, catalyzing transformative change in their unique spheres. I bet you may even be thinking of someone right now in your life that may be like them.
Having celebrated the achievements of inspiring disabled leaders, it’s essential to shift our focus to the desires and expectations of disabled individuals themselves.
Demystification: What Do Disabled Folks Really Want?
Number 1: toss assumptions out the window. Anything you think you know, label as simply conjecture. Just like able-bodied folk, disabled people all have various needs, preferences, experiences, and desires. So when in doubt, ask!
In the meantime, you can expect that disabled folks want…
First & Foremost: Acceptance
Catarina Rivera: TEDx Speaker, Disability Speaker, DEI Consultant, and Content Creator: “I wish all disabled people could be accepted exactly as they are.”
Secondly: Respect
Ben VanHook: Autistic Self-Advocate and Public Speaker, Education and Employment Consultant on Neurodiversity: “Imagine a world in which we took the unfathomably difficult steps to treat disclosure with kindness.”
Third: Awareness
Disabled individuals, similar to people from all walks of life, possess a wide range of needs, preferences, and aspirations. It is crucial to acknowledge that disability encompasses a diverse spectrum, and thus, the desires and expectations of disabled individuals can greatly differ. However, there are some general areas that are frequently highlighted by disabled individuals. These include the pursuit of inclusion and accessibility, the yearning for respect and dignity, the importance of empathy and understanding, the desire for support and collaboration, the quest for equal opportunities, and the appreciation of positive attitudes without condescension when interacting with able-bodied individuals.
Inclusion & Accessibility
Equal access to opportunities, resources, and spaces still to this day is hard to come by for many folks with disabilities. Society is called to recognize their rights and provide accessible infrastructure, public transportation, educational institutions, workplaces, and recreational facilities.
Respect & Dignity
Instead of attempting to meet every single need of individuals with disabilities in order to show respect, it is better to ask them directly how you can assist or if they require assistance at all. It is important to listen to them, value their opinions, and acknowledge their experiences, as this is something everyone deserves. Like anyone else, disabled individuals desire to be treated with respect and dignity. A straightforward yet significant way to convey respect is to address individuals directly instead of going through a companion or caregiver.
Empathy & Understanding
Empathy and understanding, specifically not sympathy nor ignorance, coming from able-bodied individuals is important for the disabled community. Acknowledged challenges faced and showing empathy towards unique experiences is how to recognize and accept their disabilities without pity or judgment, and is crucial. Knowing how ableism in language shows up, how it’s harmful, and taking measures to change the words society uses one person at a time is a way to become educated in empathy.
Support & Collaboration
Different disabled individuals may require various forms of aid, such as physical assistance, accommodations, or emotional support. Collaboration and cooperation with caregivers, friends, and community ensures their needs are met effectively. It’s vital to involve disabled individuals in decision-making processes that directly affect them.
Representation & Advocacy
As you may have heard, representation matters. Be it in media, politics, and other spheres of society, disabled voices ought to be heard and invited to actively participate in discussions and decision-making processes that shape policies and initiatives that affect their lives.
Equal Opportunities & Celebration
Equal opportunities in education, employment, and social activities through equitable means is imperative for the future. Disabled individuals yearn to be recognized for their unique abilities and skills, free from the constraints of societal biases or disability stereotypes.
Positive Attitudes
Disabled individuals appreciate positive attitudes and support from able-bodied individuals and communities. Encouragement, appreciation for their achievements, and refraining from making assumptions about their capabilities or speaking patronizingly are important to help further challenge misguided notions.
Reminder: These points should be viewed as general observations, as the desires and needs of disabled individuals can vary significantly from one person to another. It is imperative to approach disabled individuals with a mindset of individuality, listening attentively and engaging in meaningful dialogue. Avoid making assumptions or adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, as each person’s experiences and requirements are unique and should be respected as such.
Proactivity: Making the World More Inclusive for Everybody
DO’S for Brands & Businesses
Promote Authentic and Amplified Representation in Your Advertising
Currently, the representation of disabled individuals in media stands at a mere 4.2%, with a staggering 95% of those roles being portrayed by non-disabled actors. Advertising fares even worse, with only 0.9% representation.
To address this disparity, it is vital to strive for genuine and increased portrayal of disabled people in media, television, and film. This entails casting disabled talent in front of the camera and also engaging disabled writers, directors, and crew members to shape narratives from inception to execution.
Integrate Accessibility as a Fundamental Budgetary Component
By making accessibility a non-negotiable line item in every budget, it becomes an integral part of planning rather than an afterthought. This financial commitment underscores the importance of inclusivity and establishes a framework to ensure that all events, programs, and projects are accessible to all individuals.
Embrace Inclusive Hiring Practices
Disabled individuals should be considered for all roles within an organization, not solely those directly related to disability. This broadens the range of opportunities and allows disabled individuals to contribute their diverse perspectives to various aspects of the organization, allowing them to shine in ways that just may blow your mind.
Designate Access Coordinators
Assigning an Access Coordinator for each project ensures that accessibility requirements are effectively met. This role involves planning, implementing, and monitoring accessibility measures, thereby ensuring that projects are inclusive from the outset.
Avoid Assumptions
As stated earlier, it is crucial to refrain from assuming what individuals can or cannot do, or what accommodations they may or may not require. Disabilities can be non-apparent or invisible to the untrained eye, and access needs can vary significantly. Encourage open conversations and avoid making assumptions based on appearances.
Engage External Disabled Disability Consultants
While fostering dialogue about disability in the workplace is important, it is equally crucial not to solely rely on disabled colleagues for education and insight. Hiring disabled disability consultants brings valuable professional expertise and lived experiences to the table, enriching the conversation. You can find an abundance of such lauded professionals with a simple LinkedIn search. Businesses can also work with establishments like DisabilityIn, who has empowered over 500 businesses in achieving disability inclusion and equality. Their extensive track record speaks volumes about their dedication and effectiveness in driving positive change to create inclusive, accessible environments.
Give Priority to Disability in Diversity Agendas
Inclusion efforts often focus on dimensions like race, gender, and sexual orientation, but it is essential to prioritize disability as well–both for physical and virtual environments. By recognizing and addressing the unique challenges faced by disabled individuals, organizations demonstrate their commitment to true diversity and inclusion.
Implement Disability-Inclusive and Accessible Hiring Practices
From job postings to the interview process, each stage should be designed with inclusivity and accessibility in mind. This includes providing job postings in accessible formats, offering accommodations during interviews, and ensuring the workplace is inclusive and accessible.
DON’TS for Brands & Businesses
As we explore how brands and businesses can support disability inclusion, it’s equally important to be aware of potential pitfalls. Brands need to tread carefully in their approach to disability inclusion and representation to ensure genuine and meaningful engagement. Let’s take a closer look at what brands can do to avoid placing themselves in problematic predicaments:
No More Tokenism
Brands must steer clear of using disabled individuals as mere tokens for the sake of appearing inclusive. This practice hurts the disabled community, society at large, and the company practicing it. Authentic representation goes beyond surface-level gestures and should reflect a genuine commitment to inclusivity to truly reap amazing benefits.
Shatter Stereotypes
It is crucial for brands to avoid perpetuating stereotypes and presenting disabled individuals in a one-dimensional or negative light, or even using language that disparages disabilities. Disability is a diverse experience, and portraying individuals as multi-dimensional, capable, and empowered is essential to long term success.
Reject Inspiration Porn
This one surprises a lot of folks, but think deeply on it for a minute. Disabled individuals deserve to be represented with autonomy, highlighting their accomplishments and personal stories, rather than reducing them to objects of inspiration. Brands should resist the temptation to exploit disabled individuals solely for inspiring able-bodied people.
Chase Accessibility
Brands must not overlook accessibility in their products, services, or physical spaces. Disregarding accessibility requirements can create barriers and exclude disabled individuals. Prioritizing accessibility ensures equal access for all.
Stay Authentic
Avoid attempting to portray disability experiences or perspectives without proper understanding or consultation with disabled individuals is beyond important for brands. Authenticity is key, and engaging with disabled communities, listening to their voices, and involving them in the decision-making process is vital.
Listen to Feedback
Speaking of involving disabled people, brands should be receptive to feedback and criticism from disabled individuals and disability advocacy organizations. Ignoring or dismissing feedback hinders progress and perpetuates exclusionary practices. It’s important to actively listen and learn from disabled voices, because even well-intentioned initiatives can be less than helpful without insider consultation. For example:
Embrace Diverse Leadership
Diverse representation is needed at all levels, including leadership positions. By including disabled individuals in decision-making processes, brands can ensure that disability inclusion becomes an integral part of their values and practices.
DO’S for Allies
Maintain a Journey of Self-Education
Never stop learning! Educate yourself about the realities faced by the disabled community. Dive into hashtags like #DisabilityRights, #SpoonieCommunity, #A11y, #Accessibility, #RightsOnFlights, #IStayStrong, #DisabledAndCute to gain insights into their daily challenges and triumphs. Understanding cultivates empathy and effective allyship.
Prioritize Accessibility
Ensure universal accessibility in physical and virtual spaces. Install ramps, provide sign language interpretation, closed captioning, and compatible websites. Strive for comprehensive accessibility beyond basic requirements. In summary: advocate for inclusive design in your community, workplace, and social circles.
Amplify Disabled Voices
“Pass the mic” by providing platforms for disabled individuals to share their experiences and perspectives. Compensate their expertise. Invite disabled speakers, feature disabled writers, and share their content on social media. Amplifying disabled voices promotes representation and broadens their impact.
Stand as an Advocate Alongside the Disabled Community
Be an active ally in the fight for disability rights. Speak out against discrimination, support protective laws, and amplify disabled voices in decision-making spaces. Remember, true allyship means empowering disabled individuals to speak for themselves. It’s not about speaking for disabled people, but about using your voice to amplify theirs. The most powerful changes happen when we all stand together, advocating for a world that is fair, inclusive, and accessible to all.
Pobody’s Nerfect: If You Make a Mistake, be Like Lizzo
Look, being told that your actions, policies, words or attitudes are harmful can be difficult to swallow. But that’s no reason to freeze up or become defensive–we’re all learning together. Even the disabled community sometimes gets it wrong! Such is the nature of being human.
For example, did you know that the flag that is being used today is not the same one that we started with? Originally, the disability pride flag displayed vibrant colors in a zig-zag fashion. The symbolism of the shape was to nod to the myriad of creative ways in which disabled persons must pivot and work around barriers. Yet, it was the zig-zag itself that caused unintended consequences for certain individuals.
Created in 2019, the Disability Pride flag’s stripes represent various visible and invisible disabilities: physical (red), neurodivergence (gold), invisible (white), psychiatric (blue), and sensory (green), while the grey color represents mourning for victims of violence and abuse.
Although the original flag was made with the best of intentions, we don’t know what we don’t know. The optics of the original design ironically can trigger migraines for folks prone to them, essentially hurting a segment of people that the flag was intended to include joyfully. So now we revel in a revised version thanks to the work Ann Magill did to update her design with her updated understanding on how she could do more to not cause further harm.
While reflecting on the revised Disability Pride flag, it’s crucial to embrace the lessons it teaches us about growth and the continuous pursuit of improvement. When we learn differently, that doesn’t mean we did bad before. But it does mean that we can do better, now. Isn’t that what growth is all about? I say yes! You know who else agrees? 👀
When it comes to making a bad judgment call or one made in ignorance, here at Fullmoon, we own our snafus. What can we say? We like being fab like Lizzo.
More Good Stuff
You’ve already done a lot by reading this blog to enhance your allyship skills, and you can do more! Here’s a few more actions you can take to keep the celebration and action going:.
- Continue your education on how to be a better ally.
- Learn what language you may be using that could be ableist.
- Read from disabled authors like Alice Wong and Rebekah Taussig.
- Watch Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution.
- Amplify disabled voices by liking, following and sharing content from disabled creators on Instagram or TikTok.
- Understand about marriage inequality for disabled Americans.
- Verify your voter registration and set an intention to back representatives and policies that support the disabled community.
