“Disability Pride is really about changing perceptions, ending stigma, and recognising that disability is a really natural part of human diversity.” Joseph Alderdice, Humankind Inclusion Manager
Throughout July we celebrate Disability Pride Month, the theme in 2024 being ‘We want a life like yours’. This year’s theme comes from The Arcs National Council of Self-Advocates in the US, with the aim to reflect the disability community’s dreams for life experiences that they are too often denied.
The event originated in the US in 1990 when the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed to prevent discrimination against disabled people.
Disability Pride Month celebrates the diversity and differences of identities, cultures and the contributions of people with disabilities. It has since become a global movement.
Across the UK there are approximately 14.1 million people who have a disability, and there is a history of Disability Rights to support them. The first of its kind came into action in 1995 to protect those with disabilities from discrimination through The Disability Discrimination Act 1995. This was replaced by The Equality Act 2010 in England, Scotland and Wales.
We are proud to be a part of and celebrate Disability Pride Month. At Humankind, we believe in fair chances, this includes being a Disability Confident Employer. Find out more on our Careers page.
Organisations far and wide celebrate Disability Pride Month in a number of ways; from events and volunteering to sharing stories and training which amplify the voices of people with disabilities.
One way people show support for Disability Pride Month is to display the Disability Pride flag, which was originally designed in 2019 by writer Ann Magill, who has cerebral palsy.
Disability Pride Flag, designed by Ann Magill.The colours and stripes symbolise the different experiences of the disabled community. Each colour has a different representation:
- Red – physical disabilities
- Gold – neurodiversity
- White – invisible disabilities and disabilities that haven’t yet been diagnosed
- Blue – mental illnesses
- Green – sensory disabilities
- Dark Grey – represents those who have been victims of ableist violence and abuse.
The updated flag is the result of a collaborative design effort by the disabled community, who came together to help make the design accessible and inclusive of more disabled people.
Joesph Alderdice, Humankind’s Inclusion Manager has highlighted the importance of Disability Pride Month, what it represents and why we take part in the celebrations in the video below.