What Disability Pride means to the Diversability Community
July was disability pride month. While July has come and gone for this year, that doesn’t mean we are done talking about disability pride. Disability pride deserves to be recognized every day of the year.
Disability Pride is the bane of the Ableist Society. Disability Pride aims to dispel this negativity, reframe the narratives surrounding disability, and promote equality and accessibility all while amplifying, empowering and celebrating the diversity of disability.
Whether you realize it or not, disability is all around you--there are currently more than 1 BILLION disabled individuals living on earth, making up around 15% of the world’s population.
Did you know that disabled people are more than twice as likely to be victims of violent crime? Or that 38% of people view someone with a disability as a burden to society? The need for Disability Pride has never been greater.
Disability Pride reaffirms the idea that disability is a culture and identity to be proud of, showing that disability is not a bad word.
Disability is such a uniquely personal experience, so while disability pride may look different to each person, being pridefully disabled always has the same underlying theme--accepting and understanding personal limitations while loving your whole self unapologetically.
We asked our community what disability pride means to them. Here’s what they shared:
You don’t have to adapt to a non accessible world.
Jemma, an African American woman with natural hair smiles a toothy grin as she is standing against a wall wearing orange hearing bands and a pink shirt with gold foil that says ‘New York City’ on the font.
“To me, disability pride means not feeling that my life has to be “normal” in order to be good. It means knowing that I don’t have to adapt to the world, rather I need to work to change the world to be able to meet my needs and the needs of others.”
—Jemma Rosewater
Founder of Hyperacusis Awareness
Disability has given me unique insights.
Angela standing in front of redwoods wearing a white t-shirt which says Relatively Damaged with pastel rainbow people of all abilities, shapes and sizes. She is holding up her hands wrapped in black braces with four other hands in picture written on their palms “strong for family friends and you”.
“Disability Pride means that I see the inherent value of my soul regardless of my capacity to do. My disability has given me insights I otherwise wouldn’t have had and I am able to pass that onto others.”
-Angela Talent
Podcaster
We don’t have to apologize for what we cannot do.
Nicole is an Italian woman with straight, dark brown hair. She’s smiling, and she’s wearing makeup and a Kelly green scoop neck top.
“Disability Pride means that we are proud of who we are, what our minds and bodies CAN do, and that we no longer apologize for what we can’t do.”
-Nicole Luongo
Author + Disability Advocate
My existence as a Disabled person is intentional, valid and absolutely beautiful.
A black woman with curly hair smiling broadly and wearing a black shirt with a black and white striped blazer on an orange background.
“To me, Disability pride means moving in your truth as loudly and proudly as you wish. I see Disability Pride month as a time to center this aspect of my identity partially to raise awareness, but also to advance the work towards equity for the Disabled community. Now more than ever, I want to remind the world that my existence as a Disabled person is intentional, valid and absolutely beautiful.”
-Kelly Durden Posey
Owner/Founder, Inspired Inclusivity Consulting, LLC
Disability Pride links me to others who see disability as enriching to the world.
James Michels, a smiling 50 year old man with brown eyes, glasses, thinning brown hair that has grey patches, and it is visually apparent that he has spastic triparesis and is right dominant with my left arm somewhat contracted. He is wearing a dark gray T-shirt with Black writing reading “Storm King Art Center”.
“Disability Pride means embracing my disability, all of the good and bad parts of my condition that make me the whole human I am. Pride also links me to other humans who see disability not as a limitation but enriching to ourselves, the larger community, and the world!”
-James Michels
Self CP Advocate
Disability pride challenges stigmas.
Jacquelyn is a black woman with long black hair. She is holding a digital camera and wearing a red scrunchie.
“In my life, Disability Pride 2021 has been about purpose. When I live in acceptance, it challenges stigma. The burdening social media narrative of living a life well-lived becomes lifted, and I am more focused on impact.”
-Jacquelyn Davis
Content Creator
I can’t control my disability, but I can control how I feel about it.
A white woman and outspoken advocate with multiple sclerosis wearing a black dress with a floral top and pink blazer while smiling in her back yard.
“Being disabled doesn’t make you ugly, invaluable, incapable, or anything “less than”. It’s a part of my identity now and I own my Disability Pride, because you know what? I can’t control my disability, but I CAN control how I feel about it. Living with an unpredictable disability has undoubtedly taught me more about myself, my values, and connected me with an amazing community than I would have never know otherwise.”
-Jenna Green
MS advocate
@thejennagreen
I’m going to embrace who I am without hiding my disability.
An African-American Latina with a black background wearing glasses and a pink t-shirt with the stomping on CP logo.
“I’m disabled and proud of it. I’m just gonna embrace who I am after hiding my disability for all these years.”
-Tylia Flores
Stomping on CP
I can work with my disabled body rather than force it to fit the mold.
Rachel, a queer pale skinned disabled soul with a nose ring and half a shaved head; the other side has chin length red hair. They are wearing a black cami and sitting in a car, posed with their hand next to their face.
“Disability Pride proclaims that our disabled community is loved and valued through all of our openness, sexiness, suffering, and endured societal oppressions. With pride for my divergent self, I can work with my disabled body rather than force it to fit the mold.“
-Rachel Ungerer
Artist
Taking on the challenges as they come to you.
A black and white picture of Kim, a pale skinned woman with long dark hair wearing glasses and a St. Jude baseball cap.
“It’s just [to] be okay with who you are, taking on the challenges that they come to you.”
-Kim Totolo