July is Disability Pride Month, acknowledging the leadership and contributions of people with disabilities to our country and within our communities. It is also an opportunity to bring awareness to the injustices that continue to plague the disabled community, including lack of visibility, equality, acceptance, and inclusion. It is no coincidence that July is also the month the historic Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law in 1990.
Before it became a month-long observance in 2015, Disability Pride was only one day, taking place in Boston in 1990. The first Disability Pride Parade followed in 2004 in Chicago.1 Currently, it is a nationwide celebration of people living with a host of disabilities, including physical, sensory, psychological, emotional, cognitive, and complex.
Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 70 million US adults reported having a disability diagnosis.2 Out of all age groups, adults 65 and older have the highest prevalence of reported disabilities at 43.9%. When examining race/ethnicity, American Indian or Alaska Native and Other/Multirace lead the way at 38.7%.2
With almost 30% of the US population living with a disability, they also face additional challenges. These include being at risk for other adverse health conditions such as heart disease and obesity, having limited access to healthcare due to rising costs, and less access to social networks due to physical, sensory, or cognitive limitations.3
Other barriers for the disabled include physical barriers (inaccessible transportation or building infrastructure), online barriers (websites that aren’t accessible, especially for sensory disabilities), employment barriers (insufficient support, lack of benefits), systemic barriers (inadequate policies and programs), and attitudinal (stereotyping, discrimination).
How Can I Be a Better Ally?
Education—research the ADA and explore the history of disability rights in the US
Use Respectful Language—avoid outdated or harmful terms; ask an individual how they would like to be addressed; acknowledge skills and achievements rather than just strength and resilience
Participate—Attend events such as parades, cultural events, lectures, etc.; create or join an employee resource group for people with disabilities; volunteer with disability-led organizations and advocacy groups
Stand Up to Discrimination—Challenge others using ableist language; support disability-owned businesses; advocate for policy changes to improve equity and accessibility; encourage your workplace or school to adopt inclusive practices; share disability pride content on social media
The Disability Pride Flag
Disability Pride Month also has its own flag, originally designed in 2019 by Ann Magill, who has cerebral palsy. After receiving feedback from individuals with visually triggered disabilities, she collaborated with the disabled community to redesign the flag in 2021.4 Each element symbolizes the following:
Red: Physical Disabilities
Gold: Neurodiversity
White: Invisible Disabilities
Blue: Emotional/Psychiatric Disabilities
Green: Sensory Disabilities
Faded Black Background: Mourning and rage for victims of ableist violence and abuse
Diagonal Band: Breaking through barriers separating disabled people from “normal” society
At LifeBack, we recognize and honor the contributions of the disabled community and are inspired by their continued herculean efforts to promote equality and inclusion within our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, health system, and through legislation.
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- The Arc. 2026, June 25 (updated). Disability Pride Month 2026: What it is, the 2026 theme, and how to celebrate. https://thearc.org/blog/why-and-how-to-celebrate-disability-pride-month/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2024, July 16. CDC data shows over 70 million U.S. adults reported having a disability. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0716-Adult-disability.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2026, May 5. Disability impacts all of us. https://www.cdc.gov/disability-and-health/articles-documents/disability-impacts-all-of-us-infographic.html
- Columbia Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center. 2023, July. History of the disability pride flag. https://www.weinberg.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/history-disability-pride-flag
