July is Disability Pride Month, a month-long celebration of the disabled community that focuses on bringing attention to and celebrating the pride of disabled people. Its purpose is to create space for people with disabilities, encouraging them to embrace their disabilities, both physically and emotionally, as integral parts of who we are. This self-acceptance and deliberate rejection of shame may be the most concrete goal of Disability Pride Month.

 

Initially, Disability Pride began as a day-long celebration in honor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) signed by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990, creating a new era of acknowledgment for the disabled community. While this day was not established as a national celebration, New York City recognized it as an opportunity to "amplify one another," and in July 2015, NYC Mayor de Blasio declared July Disability Pride Month.

 

At TriHealth, we offer a host of resources to all team members and their families living with a disability. One of those resources is our Abilities FIRST Employee Resource Group (ERG), which works to increase awareness of and support for individuals with disabilities. Their mission is to serve as a resource and advocate to foster a cooperative, accessible and supportive environment to the TriHealth community. 

 

If you are interested in joining the Abilities FIRST ERG, please email AbilitiesFIRST@trihealth.com. 

 

Disability Pride Month activities vary state to state, but most include parades, smaller community celebrations, artistic and educational events, and articles using Disability Pride Month as a prompt to discuss a wide range of disability issues and experiences.

 

This year, Easterseales is hosting a virtual disability pride parade on the 31st anniversary of the ADA signing. To participate on social media, use the hashtag #VirtualDisabilityParade on July 26 when sharing why you have disability pride or stories that demonstrate the positive differences people with disabilities make in the community.

 

This annual observance promotes visibility and mainstream awareness of the positive pride felt by people with disabilities. If you are living with a disability, we encourage you to incorporate it into the conversation when asked what you are most proud of. It is a natural part of your identity.

 

Let's celebrate our disabilities loud and proud. Happy Disability Pride Month!