Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July because it is the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Passed in 1990, the ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications and access to state and local government programs and services.
The Disability Pride Flag was designed by Ann Magill in 2016, waived the copyright to allow for free use in 2019, and updated it in 2021 based on some feedback from other people in the Disability community.
The Black Field on the disability pride flag is a color of mourning. This represents disabled people who have suffered from “Ableist violence, rebellion, and protest.” It represents disabled people who have lost their life not only to their illness but also to suicide, negligence and eugenics.
The Five Colors on the Disability pride flag – red, gold, pale grey, blue, and green – represent the various needs and experiences of disabled people: mental illness, intellectual and developmental disability, invisible and undiagnosed disabilities, physical disability, and sensory Disabilities.
The Parallel Diagonal Stripes of the Disability Pride Flag represent solidarity within the Disability Community and all its differences. The diagonal suggests cutting across barriers that separate the disabled from society.
Inclusive Trade Vendors Owned by Persons with Disabilities
We have two Inclusive Trade vendors that are at least 51% owned and operated by persons with disabilities:
Chrysalis has a long history of providing innovative, effective and empowering, vocational mental health services. Their services embody the belief that every individual has the right to be an active member of their community. The seeds of Chrysalis Pops were planted in 2016 to support their mission and better connect with their community. Learn more at on their website.
If you missed it when we first published it, check out our interview with the owner of Mrs. Beaster’s Biskits in our March 2023 issue.
Events
- Disability Pride Festival 10th Anniversary
July 29, 2023 – Warner Park, 12pm-5pm
The Disability Pride Festival is a joyful gathering of the entire disability community and their allies. Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals welcome. Please leave pets at home as they can cause problems for working dogs.
https://www.disabilitypridemadison.org/festival-2023
- Disability Summit: A Community-Led Movement for Disability Justice
In honor of the 10th Anniversary of the festival, the City of Madison is hosting a virtual Disability Summit: A Community-Led Movement for Disability Justice on July 27th and 28th. The Disability Summit is a platform for visioning and developing a city-wide agenda that will direct the work of the Department of Civil Rights – Division of Equity and Social Justice, Disability Rights and Services Program and ensure all City programs include the voices and needs of the disability community.
https://www.cityofmadison.com/civil-rights/programs/disability-rights-services-program/upcoming-events
General Information
- Disability Pride Madison has a great list of resources on their website: https://www.disabilitypridemadison.org/resources
- 11 Ways to Celebrate Disability Pride Month: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/how-to-celebrate-disability-pride-month
- Watch for the August article about how we improved accessibility at all stores thanks to an audit by Access to Independence.
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