Trigger Warnings: This post discusses the topic of ABLEISM
Disability Pride Month in the United States begins on July 1st and lasts the entire month. Similarly to LGBTQIA+ pride month, this month is to promote equality, equity, acceptance and opportunity for disabled individuals, as well as to bring about a personal sense of pride, confidence and acceptance, and to show that disability is not an inherently negative thing- rather, it is the ableism and inaccessibility in our places of education, work, healthcare, housing, transportation and communities, that is the issue. Disability Pride Month was created to celebrate the Americans With Disabilities Act being signed into law on July 26th, 1990. The Americans With Disabilities Act prohibits the discrimination of those with disabilities(any kind) in employment, transportation, and many other services. It started as a one day celebration, beginning in that same year when Boston, MA, held their first Disability Pride. However, in 2015, July became designated as Disability Pride Month in the U.S.
Defining Disability
Disability is defined through a social model. It can describe any condition, illness, disorder or difference that deviates from the neurotypical and able-bodied standards set by society. Since the world is built around those who are NT and able-bodied, disabled individuals have a hard time accessing the world and navigating daily life on top of any other challenges their specific disabilities bring about. Disabilities can range from physical(ex. Sight Impairments, Hearing Impairments, Mobility Issues, etc), mental/emotional(ex. PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, etc), cognitive(ex. Dementia, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, etc) or Neurodevelopmental(ex. Autism, ADHD). Some disabilities can also fall into multiple categories, such as Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy.
Ableism
Ableism is defined as the discrimination of individuals with disabilities. It can be overt or covert, individualized or systemic. The reason this month exists is to fight back against ableism!!! Disabled is not a bad word. There is nothing wrong with having a disability and openly saying that you are disabled. A lot of the challenges us disabled folk face come from the fact that our society was not built with out needs in mind. Having more accessibility to accommodations, acceptance from those around us, and having more inclusive places in our community are all ways to mitigate the challenges we face. Disabilities are not the problem- ableism, inaccessibility and exclusion are the problems.
A few of the many examples of ableism in society include:
-Making things such as buildings and community events inaccessible for those who have physical components to their disabilities. For example, places that don't have ramps or elevators for those who use a wheelchair.
-Using certain disabilities as insults, such as using Autistic to mean "weird", or making cruel jokes about disabilities.
-Failing to provide adequate accommodations in educational or workplace environments.
-Making needed health services, such as physical therapy, counseling, medications, etc, financially inaccessible(screw capitalism).
-Taking pity on disabled individuals, using us as "inspiration p*rn", etc.
-Using slurs you cannot reclaim
-Cure culture
Cure Culture
A misconception about disabled individuals is that we must all want a cure for every disability ever. That is not true. Yes, some disabilities cause extreme pain and suffering regardless of the external environment and absolutely deserve a cure(for example, diseases like Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes or severe chronic pain). But that's not because people with those conditions need to be changed, they just deserve to not be sick and in pain all the time. But many disabilities don't cause harm to an individual at all, but rather the external environment with lack of accommodations, accessibility and acceptance does. For example, I have chronic illnesses and mental illnesses that cause me a LOT of suffering regardless of the external environment. But I'm also Autistic, and despite what ableist organizations say, I(and most other Autistic individuals) do not feel the need for a cure! We do not suffer from our differences, we suffer due to the trauma of ableism and inadequate accommodations. That's a fault of systemic ableism, not a fault of Autism itself.
Accommodations
Accommodations are extremely important for disabled individuals. Accommodations are anything that people with disabilities need in order to navigate the world around them, no matter how big or small. Accommodations are not a want, they are a NEED.
Some examples of accommodations, tools and aids include:
-Mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, walkers or canes
-Ramps, elevators and lifts on public transportation
-Alternative communication devices
-Service dogs and emotional support animals
-Sensory related items such as headphones, sunglasses, or fidget tools
-Text being in a bigger font or broken down into smaller chunks
-Alternative and flexible school assignments
-Flexibility with breaks and other accommodations in the workplace
-And more!
Allyship
It is important for disabled people to have non-disabled allies. Here are ways to be a disability ally:
-Avoid ableist language! Don't use slurs that you cannot reclaim and don't use disabilities as insults.
-Don't infantilize us! Treat us as the age we are. Our disabilities don't detract from our age, even if some developmental delays or cognitive disabilities are present.
-Help us advocate for inclusion in workplaces, schools, in the community, etc!
-Do your research and listen to disabled voices before making assumptions about us.
-Simply treat us like you would any other person! We are human just like you!
Closing Comments
Happy Disability Pride Month!
No matter your disability, you are loved, important, worthy, beautiful and amazing as you are. You deserve happiness, equal opportunity and acceptance.
Wishing you a beautiful July,
Dakota(Xe/They/She)
Certified Recovery Support Specialist
Instagram: @surviving_to_thriving_
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