Disability Pride Month 2024
Disability Pride Month celebrates disabled persons embracing their disabilities as integral parts of who they are, reclaiming visibility in public and interacting fully with their disabilities out in the open, and rejecting shame and internalized ableism. It is a time for the disability community to come together, uplift, and amplify one another’s voices and be heard. Disability pride has been described as “accepting and honoring each person’s uniqueness and seeing it as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity.“
American Bar Association, 2024
Lumibility celebrates Disability Pride Month every July to mark the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passed on July 26th, 1990. The first celebration was a Disability Pride Day in Boston in 1990. Then, in 2004, Chicago hosted its first Disability Pride Parade.
Within the Disability Pride Month Flag, each color stripe has a meaning.
- Red – physical disabilities
- Gold – neurodiversity
- White – invisible disabilities and disabilities that haven’t yet been diagnosed
- Blue – emotional and psychiatric disabilities, including mental illness, anxiety, and depression
- Green – for sensory disabilities, including deafness, blindness, lack of smell, lack of taste, audio processing disorder, and all other sensory disabilities
The faded black within the background represents the rage toward victims of violence and abuse. The diagonal band across the background represents the light and creativity cutting through the darkness, giving everyone the opportunity to fulfill their life’s purpose.
2024 Disability Pride Month Theme
This year’s theme, chosen by The Arc’s National Council of Self-Advocates, is “We Want a Life Like Yours.” It is essential for us to share stories of individuals with differing abilities who are thriving in our communities so that everyone has the same opportunity.
Celebrating individuals with differing abilities is about recognizing and honoring the unique strengths, talents, and contributions they bring to our communities. It involves fostering an inclusive environment where everyone is valued for their abilities rather than defined by their limitations. By highlighting the achievements and stories of people with disabilities, we challenge societal stereotypes and promote a culture of acceptance and equality.
Here are some of our success stories.
“When Steven started with us, he lived with his guardian. With encouragement and support from the Adult Services team, he now lives an independent life in a group home and thrives socially with his peers!”
Lumibility Westbrook Enrichment Team
“Our triplets were born 8 weeks early, and as with many preemies, they needed some support mastering milestones. Since beginning with Birth To Three, our boys have mastered getting into a seated position independently, crawling, and their latest achievement, walking! Their progress has been remarkable, and we attribute much of their success to the support we’ve received from their “girls,” as we lovingly call their team!“
Parents of Luca, Nico, and Peter
(Kidsteps Early Intervention)
“Davey volunteered at Goodwill in Clinton three days per week. There, he was responsible for organizing the clothing department and identifying items with specific color tags. After a successful interview with Goodwill, Davey was hired for competitive employment in June of 2024.”
Lumibility Employment Staff
“It felt like Christmas in June!
Jamie (Assistive Technology Manager), you were very creative thinking of what technology would help make Kara’s life both safer and independent. Kara is enjoying all her new gadgets and in a word she describes them as ‘awesome’!“
Kara’s Parent