5 ways to celebrate and advocate for the disability community this month and year round
July is Disability Pride Month. It is the best month of the year for us to celebrate the differences within the disabled community, fight ableism, and make the community’s voices heard. It is also the perfect opportunity to reflect on how far we have come as a community in terms of acceptance, representation, and inclusion. It has been 35 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed on July 26, 1990. While there are many different ways to celebrate Disability Pride Month, it’s crucial to celebrate without making the disabled community feel marginalized. Continue reading to learn how you can better support the disabled community, and to discover some of the successful campaigns of notable brands that have resonated with and accurately represented those within the community.
Here are 5 ways to celebrate Disability Pride and support the movement without tokenizing:
1. Attend a Disability Pride Parade
Taking part in a Disability Pride Parade is a great way to fully immerse yourself in the disabled community! Disability Pride Parades take place in many locations across the United States, typically throughout the month of July. Parade locations and times are easy to find through a simple internet search. Attending a parade shows your support to the community and truly lets you feel the camaraderie and culture of disabled people in your local area. Grab yourself a Disability Pride Flag and march with members of your community to celebrate the history of the Disabled Rights Movement.
2. Learn About the History of the Disability Rights Movement
Spend time educating yourself about the history of the disabled community and the Disability Rights Movement. Learn about the famous march in Washington D.C. that helped pave the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act. Read about the history of some of the crucial figures in the Disability Rights Movement, such as Judy Heumann who is considered the Mother of the Disability Rights Movement. There are plenty of books that teach about the fight for disability rights and inclusion. Check out this website (USA Today) for an excellent list of books that can help you absorb the history. A great book that highlights personal stories of people within the community is “Disability Visibility" by Alice Wong. It is a collection of first-person essays all about the highlights and struggles of being a disabled person in this day and age.
3. Watch Films About the Disabled Community
Take a look at some films that allow you to see life through the lens of a disabled person. Seeing the accomplishments and hardships that people within the community go through can be extremely eye opening. One film in particular is called “Crip Camp” which explores the fruition of the ADA in 1990, following one group’s fight for accessibility and inclusion. If you want to learn about para sports, “Rising Phoenix” is a great choice. This film tells the tale of how the Paralympic Movement began and highlights the lives of several Paralympic athletes. It will really open your eyes to the world of para sports.
4. Reach Out to Your Government Officials
Another way you can support and actively bring change to the disability community is by reaching out to government officials. Calling elected officials to promote policies that support the Disability community is vital to continue expanding the Disability Rights Movement. A great way to stay informed on current events and policies, and also get involved, is to join The Arc— you can sign up for email notifications here. The Arc provides alerts on the latest action in disability issues and policies. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is another great resource if you want to stay in the loop as it provides access to petitions, news stories, and more.
5. Donate to Disability Rights Organizations
There are many disability rights organizations across the country that could use monetary support in advancing their cause. Stanford University’s National Disability Organizations and Resources page includes a list of organizations across the country that you may consider contributing to. This resource is great for finding disability rights organizations to support and/or donate to, whether general or group-specific. You can also look up local disability rights organizations in your area. Many cities could use financial aid to help fund events, like marches, and promote the rights of people with disabilities.
Disability Pride Month is the month where we start to see well-known brands creating campaigns in hopes to further support the disabled community and become better allies. Understanding how to celebrate Disability Pride in an appropriate way is crucial to the effectiveness of these campaigns. It’s important for brands to be accurate and realistic in their approach at representation, highlight voices in the community, and advocate for further change. An easy way to remember how to be a good ally is by following its respective acronym:
Acknowledge (and respect) individual experiences and abilities
Learn about different disability types
Leverage your influence to promote accessibility and inclusion
Yield the floor to people with disabilities to help identify and eliminate barriers
There are a few examples that come to mind when thinking about companies who have nailed successful representation of people with disabilities. One in particular is Toyota. In 2015, Toyota became the official worldwide mobility partner of the International Paralympics Committee (IPC). Shortly after showing support for the Paralympics and its athletes, Toyota came out with a campaign called “Start Your Impossible.” The campaign reimagined Toyota's long-standing commitment to mobility and innovation and helped them become recognized as a mobility company with a vision for the future. Their campaign consisted of multiple advertisements that circulated around the media, in multiple cities and countries. Each advertisement featured a different athlete and showed the impact of the Paralympics not only on the disability community, but on the entire world.
Take a look at one of Toyota’s previous campaigns: START YOUR IMPOSSIBLE - Toyota's first ever-global campaign
Another company with a successful disability pride campaign is Citi. The Citi “What Happened” campaign was launched before the Paris 2024 Paralympics took place. Their powerful campaign challenged the narrative around disabled athletes and their abilities. By giving a voice to six different Paralympic athletes, Citi was able to de-stigmatize disability and discuss pivotal moments for Disabled athletes. Instead of focusing on how or why these athletes are disabled, Citi pinpointed the achievements of these Paralympians by giving them the floor to highlight their athletic abilities and their journey to the Paralympic games. The campaign focuses more on these athletes' accomplishments, and less on their physical abilities. You can find pictures and examples through a simple internet search of the Citi “What Happened” campaign.
Disability Pride Month is a celebration of diversity and inclusion. Celebrate any way you can, whether it’s attending a Disability Pride Parade or simply supporting businesses who advocate and fight for Disability Rights. Remember: These efforts do not end when July is over; it’s a constant push for voices to be heard, and you can still support and be an ally throughout the entire year in a capacity that works for you. One in which you can make a meaningful difference.
Sources:
https://enablingdevices.com/blog/8-ways-to-celebrate-disability-pride-month-2023/