Every July, CREOKS and the health community recognize Disability Pride Month—a time to celebrate the identities, contributions and achievements of people with disabilities. Rooted in the disability rights movement, disability pride is both a celebration and a call to action for greater inclusion and accessibility.
What Is Disability Pride?
Disability pride is the idea that people with disabilities should be proud of who they are. It challenges the stigma that disabilities are something to hide or be ashamed of. Instead, it promotes self-acceptance and honors the diverse experiences and identities within the disability community.
Why Disability Pride Matters
For many, living with a disability involves navigating a society that often fails to provide equal access, understanding or representation. Disability Pride pushes back against this by:
- Celebrating identity: Disability is a natural and valuable part of human diversity.
- Promoting visibility: Disabled voices deserve to be heard in every part of society—from media and politics to education and the workplace.
- Challenging stereotypes: Disability pride dismantles harmful misconceptions and emphasizes the strengths, creativity and resilience within the community.
Intersectionality and Inclusion
Disability pride also acknowledges the intersection of disability with other identities, including race, gender, sexual orientation and class. People with disabilities are not a monolith, and disability pride encourages inclusive and nuanced conversations that reflect the diversity of lived experiences.
Celebrating Disability Pride Month means advocating for real change: more accessible public spaces, inclusive education, equal employment opportunities and representation in leadership roles. It means listening to disabled voices, confronting ableis, and fostering communities where everyone is valued. Disability Pride is not about denying challenges but about affirming worth. It’s about saying: We are here. We matter. And we are proud.
Learn about CREOKS disability services: The Grove.