Every July, Disability Pride Month invites us to celebrate the history, culture and contributions of people with disabilities. It’s more than a month of recognition - it’s a movement that challenges outdated narratives and affirms that disability is a natural and valuable part of human diversity.
Why Disability Pride Month matters
Disability Pride Month commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990 - a landmark civil rights law that broke down barriers to inclusion. But this month is about more than legislation. It’s about visibility, empowerment and pride.
With over 70 million adults in the U.S. living with a disability, this observance is a reminder that disability is a meaningful part of our world. It’s a lived experience that deserves respect, representation and celebration.
This Year’s Theme: “We Belong Here, and We’re Here to Stay”
Chosen by The Arc’s National Council of Self-Advocates, the 2025 theme delivers a powerful message: people with disabilities are vital members of every community, not someday, not conditionally, but right now. As ableism and exclusion persist in education, employment and public life, this theme is a bold call to action.
How to celebrate
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Learn and share: Explore the history of disability rights and listen to the voices of people with disabilities.
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Join in: Attend local events, parades, or virtual gatherings.
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Speak out: Use your platform to show your support for inclusive spaces.
Pride is a powerful response
Disability Pride Month helps challenge ableism - the assumption that disabled people are less capable or less valuable. Ableism can show up in many forms, from inaccessibility and exclusion to attitudes that treat disability as something to fix or avoid. Sometimes it appears even with the best intentions, such as using overly sympathetic language, infantilizing disabled people, or offering praise for simply existing (like saying "you're so inspiring!"). These subtle behaviors reinforce harmful stereotypes and diminish agency.
By recognizing disability as a natural and important part of human diversity, this month invites us to shift the narrative. It replaces stigma with pride and promotes a world where access, respect and representation are not afterthoughts, but expectations.
Promoting inclusivity and meaningful access
Proposed updates to foundational programs, such as Medicaid, Social Security, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, are contributing to the growing limitations of access to the services and protections these programs provide. Equity and inclusion play a vital role in ensuring healthcare, education, income support and civil rights for millions of disabled individuals nationwide who depend on these services.
Together, we can promote public awareness, encourage informed dialogue and support policy decisions that reflect our shared commitment to inclusive communities. Disability Pride Month is a time to honor resilience, promote equity and celebrate identity. It’s a reminder that people with disabilities don’t need to change to be accepted - they already belong.
Supporting conversations with Grid
To help start conversations around Disability Pride Month, we’ve created a Let’s explore grid set. It includes vocabulary and topics to support people in expressing their thoughts, learning about identity and talking about inclusion in a way that’s accessible to them.
Let's explore online grid sets