Disability Pride Month 2024

July is Disability Pride Month which offers the opportunity to highlight and celebrate the disability community and their pride. Discover the Disability Pride Month origin, discover inspiring stories and how you can get involved in events and activities.

History of Disability Pride Month

What is Disability Pride Month?

Disability Pride Month offers a significant platform to promote education, inclusivity, awareness, and support for individuals with disabilities.

It’s an all-important open space to speak candidly about their experiences and challenges they’ve faced, as well as celebrate their individual success and accomplishments.

Ultimately, Disability Pride encourages the disability community to be proud and unapologetically themselves!

Ableism is an extensive issue around the world and fosters a stigma against disabled people, increasing the barriers they’re faced with in their everyday life.

The conversations that Disabled Pride Month brings up, raises awareness for non-disabled peers on how to be better allies and what they can do to further support.

When is Disability Pride Month?

Disability Pride Month is celebrated throughout July every year.

How and when was Disability Pride Month created?

Initially, Disability Pride started as a day of celebration in 1990 in Boston, USA, coinciding with the signing of the Americans with Disability Act (the ADA).

Since then, this celebration has migrated across the pond to the UK as well as the globe. And in 2015, marking the ADA’s 25 anniversary, the entire month became an annual event.

In 2019 a Disability Pride Month flag was created by Ann Magill to further identify and solidify the month. It had a lighting bolt design with five bright colours on a dark charcoal background. However, this was refreshed in 2021 by Ann to lighter colours to increase visual accessibility.

Image of visually safe Disabled Pride flag

How to celebrate Disability Pride Month?

Disabled Pride Month can be celebrated in whichever way you choose! Some popular outlets are:

Utilise Social Media

Your voice is powerful, you can change perceptions by opening others’ eyes to your lived experiences, both tough and joyous. Social media is an undeniably influential tool to raise awareness and share your personal experiences proudly within your own circle, as well as take part in crucial conversations. But opening up on the internet can seem daunting so only share what you feel comfortable with.

Attend Disability Pride Month Events

There are several Disability Pride parades and events throughout the UK which you can attend and enjoy.:

Chester Disability Pride Parade

Disability Pride Month Event by Scope’s Community Hub in Leeds 

Redbridge Disability Festival 

Disability Festival at Birmingham City University 

Disability Pride Art Exhibition in Cardiff

They’re a great way of meeting like-minded people, be a part of raising awareness and have fun!

As well as attending in-person and virtual events, you can also enjoy a whole host of inclusive content and Disability Pride Month activities such as TV shows, films, books and online platforms that feature disabled people.

Education Around the Celebration

Through webinars, podcasts, books, blogs and documentaries you can further educate yourself on how to be a better ally. Such as gaining an understanding of common barriers and challenges, learning the correct terminology and language, how to eliminate unconscious bias, or ways to promote inclusion in your day-to-day life.  All small steps that have a huge positive impact.

Donating to Charities and Support Groups

There are thousands of charities and support groups who are doing amazing work in the disability community. If you are able to, donating to a charity of your choice allows them to continue to do their incredible work and make a positive change.

It’s important to note that each and every person with a disability or chronic condition has their own story and journey. These are often emotional rollercoasters which can be confusing, lonely but also exciting and empowering.

Some people may not be at a positive stage with their condition and might feel pressured to accept and feel proud of it, especially during the month. Disability Pride is there to be a platform for those who want to celebrate, in whichever way they choose.

Advocacy and Rights

As well as celebrations, this month provides the chance to kickstart conversations around disability experiences, advocacy and ongoing issues. Transformative change is necessary in order to implement additional equality legislation to tackle the employment gap, discrimination and improve accessibility on a wider scale. 

You can become part of the movement by joining a Disability Rights forum, volunteering or fundraising for organisations such as Disability Rights UK. Or why not promote policies and campaign for increased accessibility at your local community advocacy group.

Stories and Achievements

This month also provides a spotlight on the thousands of incredible trailblazers and role models making significant contributions within the disability community.  The Shaw Trusts’ Disability Power 100 is a great initiative that showcases influential people, organisations and campaigns each year. 

John McFall 

Former Paralympian, Orthopaedic Surgeon and first person in the world with a physical disability to be recruited to a space agency (European Space Agency). Following a traumatic amputation of the right leg at the age of 19, John has gone on to achieve an array of accolades and hopes to be the first person with a physical disability to train for and undertake a long duration mission in space as a fully qualified Astronaut. 

Dr Shani Dhanda

Shani is a multi-award-winning disability inclusion specialist, thought leader, social entrepreneur, and accomplished broadcaster. She’s driven change by establishing Diversability, the Asian Woman Festival, and the Asian Disability Network, all dedicated to combating global social inequality. Shani is more than a voice for change; she’s a catalyst.

Daniel Holt

Daniel Holt is a pupil barrister at 39 Essex Chambers. He has dedicated most of his life to forging a career as a barrister despite being told that his speech impediment, use of a wheelchair and special needs education would be insurmountable. Undeterred, Daniel studied Law at City University and Queen Mary University of London, achieving two masters degrees. Since then, Daniel has become a Board Trustee of Disability Rights UK and founded the Association of Disabled Lawyers. 

Emma Birch

Since her accident, Emma has become a content creator and fashion influencer for the disabled community, showcasing the best Sitting down Styles and promoting body positivity. She also worked at The Victoria & Albert Museum for 10 years specialising in Fashion and Costume exhibitions and has since advised and problem solved on projects to work towards a more inclusive experience for all attendees. 

Check out the UK’s top 100 influential disabled people and organisations to discover countless more inspiring individuals and the ground-breaking work they are doing. Or share your stories and achievements!

Disability Pride Month Resources

There are numerous charities, support groups and Government initiatives that provide help, advice and assistance across all aspects of living with a disability. 

Charity Choice:  UK’s largest charity directory, providing detailed information on over 160,000 UK charities. 

Motability Scheme:  A government-funded scheme, Motability enables you to exchange your qualifying mobility allowance for a brand-new car or mobility scooter or powerchair.  

Access to Work: Access to Work can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or disability or mental health condition. You can apply for grants and support with your work. 

Scope:  Scope is a disability equality charity in England and Wales. They provide practical information and emotional support when it’s most needed, and campaign relentlessly to create a fairer society. 

Disability Rights UK: The UK’s leading organisation led by and working for disabled people. Partnering with Disabled People’s Organisations, public bodies, businesses and Government to influence regional and national change for better rights.

Is Disability Pride Month related to LGBTQIA+ Pride?

This has been quite the deliberation over the last few years and although the intent of the events weren’t to be related with one another, there definitely is some overlap.

Of course there are people that are part of both communities and it’s up to the individual to choose how they celebrate both.

Either way, both Disability Pride and LGBTQIA+ Pride celebrates and boosts visibility of communities who historically and in the present day, have been looked down upon and excluded.

At Mobility in Motion, we celebrate and support the disability community all year round through our commitment to making car travel accessible for all. Discover how we could help you enjoy the transformative power of vehicle adaptations. 

We also have a blog exploring the importance of UK Disability History Month which promotes the reflection of historic milestones.