Disability Pride Month

(Local View from 4'2, Lake County Press, June 12, 2026 by Jaime Head)

Looking Ahead to Disability Pride Month

Did you know that July is Disability Pride month? It always sneaks up on me so this year I’m trying hard to get ahead of it. There are still many folks who don’t really know what Disability Pride month is or that it exists at all. With that, I’d love to help us all get to know more about what it is so we’re prepared to celebrate it together! 

The modern Disability Rights Movement gained strength in the 1960s and 1970s, pulling inspiration from the broader Civil Rights Movement. Grassroots activists demanded an end to discrimination and fought for policies that recognized access to public places, education, employment, and more, not as an exception or special treatment, but as a right.

The first official Disability Pride Month was celebrated in July 2015, which happened to be in the same month as the 25th anniversary of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). On July 26, 1990, this vital piece of civil rights legislation changed the landscape for accessibility and inclusion in the U.S. While we have definitely come far since 1990, it’s 31 years later and we still have far to go. 

Disability Pride shows us that the right of every person is to be seen, valued, and included exactly as we are. It flips the narrative that treats disability as something shameful or tragic, but instead celebrates disability as a natural, meaningful part of the human experience. 

As we discuss Disability Pride, I want to point out the image included in this article - the Disability Pride flag. The Disability Pride Flag is a symbol of unity, identity, and grassroots resistance within the global disability community. This version of the flag was created in 2021 by disabled advocate Ann Magill. There is a lot of meaning to this flag but as a brief overview, it features a charcoal gray background with five muted diagonal stripes (Red, Gold, Green, Blue and white)—each color representing a different aspect of disability. You will likely see this flag when attending Disability Pride events. 

As we wrap up, I encourage you to keep up to date on local events and activities in July celebrating Disability Pride. There will be events locally at our libraries in Two Harbors and Silver Bay as well as events in Duluth! Grab a friend or three and join us, we’ll see you there!