What is Disability Pride Month?
Disability Pride Month is an annual observance in July that celebrates people with disabilities, commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and promotes disability culture and visibility.
Observed every July, Disability Pride Month recognizes the importance of the ADA, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990. It highlights disability culture, history, and community pride. This month challenges the harmful idea that people with disabilities need to conform to norms to live meaningful lives. Their lives are just as full, valuable, and worthy of respect—no more, no less.
The first Disability Pride celebration was a Disability Pride Day that took place in Boston in 1990. Chicago hosted the first Disability Pride Parade in 2004. Now there are events nationwide empowering people with disabilities to take pride in who they are.
Walk or Roll with Us!
Celebrate Disability Pride Month by showing up, standing proud, and moving together in solidarity at the 22nd Chicago Disability Pride Parade! This powerful event uplifts disability culture, community, and pride.
Let’s make some noise and show our strength together!
Interested in participating?
Contact Becca at Becca@thearcofil.org
What Do the Colors of the Disability Pride Flag Represent?
Here’s more about the history of Disability Pride Month and the story behind the flag.
Why Cover Disability Pride Month in 2025?
The 2025 Disability Pride Month theme, “We Belong Here, and We’re Here to Stay,” was chosen by a national group of self-advocates. The theme reflects both the community’s resilience and growing concerns about threats to disability rights and services. While people with disabilities are part of every community, many are made to feel like outsiders.
Several policy and cultural issues are driving new urgency:
Language: Slurs like the R-word are re-entering public discourse, fueling stigma and exclusion. (learn more)
Medicaid: Proposed cuts and work requirements could block access to essential care and independence. (learn more)
Special Education: Federal underfunding and staffing crises are widening equity gaps in schools. (learn more)
Social Security: Delays, office closures, and policy rollbacks are limiting access to benefits. (learn more)
DEI Rollbacks: As corporate commitments to diversity decline, disability inclusion is caught in the middle—impacting jobs, visibility, and representation.
How Can I Celebrate Disability Pride Month?
Here’s how you can get involved:
🛍️ Shop the merchandise
📸 Snap a selfie in your gear
📲 Post it on social media and share what Disability Pride means to YOU
Don’t forget to tag us and use the hashtags:
#DisabilityPride #DisabilityPrideMonth #CelebrateDifferences #TheArcofIllinois
Let’s show the world what inclusion, pride, and community really look like. 💛
Update your Facebook profile, show your support, and join the conversation.
- Log onto https://twibbo.nz/disabilitypridemonth to create your profile frame.
- Choose and upload your photo.
- Download your new profile frame with your image.
- Open your social media accounts.
- Go to your profile and update your profile picture.
Share on social media what inclusion means to you using #DisabilityPride #DisabilityPrideMonth #CelebrateDifferences #TheArcofIllinois
Amplify Your Impact
There’s Strength in Numbers — Join Us
When we come together, we’re stronger.
We’ve got more voices. More resources. More power to create real change.
Since 1950, The Arc of Illinois has been standing alongside people with disabilities, making sure they have the tools, choices, and support to live fully — with dignity and purpose.
But we can’t do it alone.
Your membership matters. It helps keep vital programs going, ensures families have the support they need, and breaks down barriers that keep people with disabilities from opportunities they deserve.
Let’s build a more inclusive world — together.
Fuel the Movement. Empower Change.
At The Arc of Illinois, we believe that disability rights are human rights — and thanks to people like you, we’re turning that belief into real, lasting change.
Every single day, we advocate for the rights and inclusion of over 290,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across our state. From early childhood to adulthood, we’re there — pushing for access to education, jobs, housing, and community life.
When we remove barriers for people with disabilities, we empower everyone to live in a more just, inclusive world.
Your support fuels this movement.
Together, we’re not just making noise — we’re driving change.
💛 Your donation today helps us:
- Connect families and individuals to life-changing resources
- Provide training and education to community partners
- Advocate for policy changes that protect and expand rights
- Build inclusive communities where everyone belongs