Disability Pride Month

July 2025 marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Disability Pride Month celebrates the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a law enacted on July 26, 1990 that protects against discrimination on the basis of disability regarding transportation, employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, and telecommunications. [1] 

Disability Pride Month also recognizes the achievements and challenges of people with disabilities, promotes inclusion and acceptance, and disseminates the idea that disability is a natural part of life and not something to be ashamed of or feared.

The ADA requires nondiscrimination on the basis of disability, which is defined as “physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities”, rather than a specific medical condition. It is estimated that more than 1 in 4 adults in the United States lives with a disability. [2]

Employers with 15 or more employees must provide people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from the full range of opportunities available to others. Similarly, State/Local Governments are required to provide people with disabilities with equal opportunity to participate in all programs, services, and activities. [3]

Public Transportation Authorities may not discriminate against people with disabilities in the provision of services such as buses, paratransit, subways, and commuter rail. On-demand, door-to-door paratransit services must be available wherever fixed-route service exists. Transit facilities, intermodal centers, rail stations and platforms must meet accessibility standards established by the U.S. DOT. [4]  These requirements apply to new construction as well as alterations made to existing facilities for:

• Accessible paths of travel
• Boarding ramps and bridge plates
• Bus stops and shelters
• Curb ramps, doors, elevators, escalators, emergency alarms
• Fare collection, gates and turnstiles, grade crossings, parking
• Passenger drop-off areas, platforms edges, rescue assistance areas
• Restrooms, signs, stairs, public telephones, water fountains, wheelchair space

Artist Ann Magill created the Disability Pride Flag in collaboration with the disability community. The black background denotes a color of mourning, rage, rebellion and protest. The five colors show the variety of needs and experiences within the community, including invisible and undiagnosed disabilities, physical disabilities, neurodivergence, psychiatric disabilities, and sensory disabilities. The parallel stripes show solidarity within the disability community. The diagonal band represents cutting across barriers that separate disabled people, as well as creativity and light cutting through the darkness. [5]

Image

The City of Boston hosted the first Disability Pride Day in 1990, while Chicago held the first Disability Pride Parade in 2004. To celebrate Disability Pride Month and to mark the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL)  will conduct a rally and march on July 23, 2025. Meet at 12 pm at Boston City Hall Plaza and march to the Embrace on Boston Common, rain or shine.  [6]

 

SOURCES

[1] https://www.ada.gov/resources/disability-rights-guide/#americans-with-disabilities-act-ada

[2] https://thearc.org/blog/why-and-how-to-celebrate-disability-pride-month/

[3] https://www.ada.gov/topics/title-ii/

[4] https://adata.org/factsheet/ADA-accessible-transportation

[5] https://www.umassp.edu/deia/events-and-news/diversity-calendar/disability-pride-month

[6] https://bostoncil.org/ada-35-celebration/

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/regulations/title-ii-2010-regulations/

https://www.civilrightsdocs.info/pdf/transportation/final-transportation-equity-disability.pdf

https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/civil-rights-ada/ada-regulations

https://www.access-board.gov/ada/

https://www.umassp.edu/inclusive-by-design/who-before-how/understanding-disabilities

https://www.umassp.edu/inclusive-by-design/who-before-how/listen-and-learn-amplifying-disabled-voices

https://www.ted.com/talks/stella_young_i_m_not_your_inspiration_thank_you_very_much?language=en

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/646508/demystifying-disability-by-emily-ladau/

The “Disabled, Not Unable” list curated by the Boston Public Library suggests books for all ages that express the diverse experiences of the disabled and neurodivergent community: https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/list/display/2504215469/252903677

 

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