From Awareness to Action: Celebrating Disability Pride Month, July 2025

Annually in July, Disability Pride Month is celebrated to acknowledge the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was implemented on July 26, 1990. This Act is a civil rights law that forbids discrimination based on disability. The significance of this observance is to promote visibility, highlight the importance of a diverse community, and embrace those who face challenges with societal stigma. As much as workplaces aim for inclusivity, there are still people who face challenges such as unconscious bias and a lack of representation.

The Rehabilitation Act (Rehab Act) was passed in 1973, but it only prohibited disability discrimination in government programs. There were still many people with disabilities who needed protection in other aspects of life. Disabled activists began to push the US government for more advocacy and legal protections. Public protests and sit-ins began to erupt across the country. On March 12, 1990, the Wheels of Justice March and Capitol Crawl took place. Over 700 disability activists assembled in front of the White House in Washington, DC, and organized a "Wheels of Justice" March to the US Capitol, many utilizing wheelchairs. Upon arrival at the US Capitol, many got out of their wheelchairs and crawled up the steps while others used canes and crutches to assist. This historical moment, caught on live television, showed the world the barriers the disabled community experienced every day, creating nationwide awareness.

The first Disability Pride Day was held in Boston, Massachusetts, later that year. The first official Disability Pride Month was observed in 2015, on the 25th anniversary of the ADA. This year, the U.S celebrated 35 years of achievements and advocacy for disabled people worldwide through Disability Pride Month.

Disability Pride Month is also represented with a flag. The flag features colors and design symbolizing the different aspects of the disabled community:

"Cutting across a diagonal to represent breaking through and cutting down barriers, each of the colored stripes on the Disability Pride flag has a unique meaning:

Red represents physical disabilities.

Yellow represents cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities.

White represents invisible disabilities and undiagnosed disabilities.

Blue represents disabilities arising in association with a mental health diagnosis.

Green represents sensory disabilities.

The charcoal gray color behind these colored stripes represents both sadness and anger surrounding the victims and survivors of ableism as it manifests as violence or abuse." (July Is Disability Pride Month (2025))

Efforts such as educating colleagues, spreading awareness online, and celebrating internally are meaningful and show your participation in Disability Pride Month. There is an excellent quote from the talented vocalist Stevie Wonder that is a perfect analogy for Disability Pride Month's past, present, and future: "Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes, doesn't mean he lacks vision." (July Is Disability Pride Month (2025))

“July Is Disability Pride Month (2025).” Help Hope Live,  https://helphopelive.org/july-is-disability-pride-month/

Ebony Stonewall-James is a Client Communications Specialist at Pinnacle HR Consulting, LLC (“Pinnacle HR”). Founded in 2011, Pinnacle HR is a minority and woman-owned human resources consulting firm that supports small non-profit organizations and businesses primarily in the Washington, DC, region. Contact us here.