July is Disability Pride Month. This year we invite you to be curious and go a little deeper into the heritage and pride months we honor in the United States.
Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July to honor the achievements, experiences, and challenges of people in the disability community. It’s recognized in July to mark the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act a civil rights law passed on July 26, 1990, just 34 years ago. The Disability Pride Flag started to go viral in 2019. It was originally designed by Ann Magill and updated in 2021 with additional input from community members.
According to Minnesota Compass, in 2022, 12% of Minnesotans reported having a disability, or about 659,000 people. Almost 1 in 5 Minnesotans with a disability live below the poverty line, double the statewide poverty rate. The Arc Minnesota has a detailed Legislative Agenda that outlines policies that could improve the economic status of Minnesotans with disabilities and advance everyday equity for people with disabilities.
Learn more about Disability Pride and Advocacy from these staff recommendations.
Read
27 Eye-Opening Quotes from People with Disabilities – Read words of wisdom from people with disabilities from across the United States.
It’s important to understand that disability is a natural part of the human experience and that people with disabilities deserve equal rights, opportunities, and respect. I wish people outside the disability community understood the significance of inclusive practices and the value of diverse perspectives in all aspects of life.
Dr. Yvette Pegues, Ed.D., 45, has a traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries. She is D&I Executive & Chief Diversity Officer at Your Invisible Disability Group.
What is Ableism? The Sneaky Assumption that Hurts Disabled People. – Many well-meaning nondisabled people engage in ableist behaviors without knowing it. Learn about this sneaky form of discrimination.
It’s OK to Ask! (illustrated by Nancy Carlson) – A book for kids and parents written by the specialists at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. This book encourage kids to ask kind questions to learn more about peers and friends who may be different from themselves – the big reveal? – they find they have things in common.
Watch
TedTalks about Disability Rights, Perceptions, Accessibility, and Inclusion – Learn from people with disabilities and allies for people with disabilities. These short videos offer important insight.
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (Documentary on Netflix) – Story of the disability civil rights advocates who lead a 1977 sit-in to demand enforcement of Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 requires that school districts provide a free appropriate public education to children with disabilities.
Listen
The Heumann Perspective – Judy Heumann was a pioneer in disability activism and participated in the 1977 sit-in. She passed away in 2023, but you can still listen to her podcast as she speaks with other disability and social justice advocates.
Etiquette for Nondisabled People
Accessible Parking – Honor the Aisles! – Why do accessible parking spots have spaces with stripes next to them? These aisles are important for people who use wheelchairs or other walking aids to safely get in and out of their vehicle.
10 Tips for Interacting Respectfully with People with Disabilities – First and foremost, treat people with disabilities like people. Period. Consent, consideration, and avoiding assumptions are a great place to start, too.
Read all the Valley Outreach Be Curious posts here.
