July is Disability Pride Month, which is celebrating its 32nd year after the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed on July 26, 1990, to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities. The month is a time to recognize and celebrate how disability is a natural part of human diversity in which people living with disabilities can take pride.
Following this legislation, Boston, Massachusetts, held the first-ever Disability Pride Day event and Disability Pride Month was born. Since then, Disability Pride events have been held across the country and the world.
The Disability Pride Flag was created by Ann Magill, a disabled woman, and each of its elements symbolizes a different part of the disability community.
The Black Field: this field represents the disabled people who have lost their lives due not only to their illness, but also to negligence, suicide and eugenics.
The Colors: Each color on this flag represents a different aspect of disability or impairment.
- Red: physical disabilities
- Yellow: cognitive and intellectual disabilities
- White: invisible and undiagnosed disabilities
- Blue: mental illness
- Green: sensory perception disabilities
AWL will be celebrating this month by highlighting trailblazers in the field of disability rights and many persons with disabilities that have altered the course of history and inspired millions.