July is Disability Pride Month, a celebration of the 1990 signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush and prohibits discrimination and guarantees full participation in all aspects of society for people with disabilities.
July is a great time to celebrate the accomplishments of people with disabilities and to raise awareness of the challenges they face.
People with disabilities have been at the forefront of many important social movements, including the civil rights movement, the women's rights movement, and the LGBTQ+ rights movement. They have fought for their right to education, employment, and participation in society.
In recent years, people with disabilities have also been successful in enacting change through legislation. For example, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, transportation, and other areas.
The disability rights movement has made great progress in recent years, but there is still much work to be done. People with disabilities continue to face discrimination in many areas of life. They are also more likely to live in poverty and to be unemployed.
However, people with disabilities are resilient and determined. They are not giving up until they achieve full equality.
Here are some stories of people with disabilities who have enacted change through legislation and protests:
Justin Dart was a disability rights activist who was instrumental in the passage of the ADA. He was born with cerebral palsy and was confined to a wheelchair. However, he was a powerful advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. He testified before Congress in support of the ADA and helped to build public support for the law.Opens in a new windowen.wikipedia.org Justin Dart disability rights activist
Hilary Hurston is a disability rights activist who has been a vocal critic of the lack of accessibility in public spaces. She is a wheelchair user and has experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating a world that is not designed for people with disabilities. She has organized protests and spoken out about the need for more accessible public spaces.Opens in a new windowwww.amazon.com Hilary Hurston disability rights activist
The Disability Justice Movement is a coalition of disability rights activists who are fighting for the rights of black people with disabilities. They have organized protests and spoken out about the disproportionate number of black people with disabilities who are killed by police. They are also working to address the issue of police brutality against people with disabilities.Opens in a new windowwww.sinsinvalid.org Disability Justice Movement
I would like to recommend the documentary Crip Camp to anyone who wants to learn more about the disability rights movement. The documentary tells the story of Camp Jened, a summer camp for people with disabilities that was founded in the 1970s. Camp Jened was a place where people with disabilities could come together and be themselves. It was also a place where they could learn about their rights and how to fight for them. Opens in a new windowwww.netflix.com Crip Camp documentary I hope you will join me in celebrating Disability Pride Month. Let's raise awareness of the challenges people with disabilities face and let's celebrate their accomplishments.
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