July is Disability Pride Month in New York City! Join us as we celebrate individuals with disabilities throughout this month.
On July 15th, you can celebrate Disability Pride by participating in this year’s Disability Pride Parade! The parade starts in Madison Square Park at 11AM, marches down Broadway and ends in Union Square Park. There will be a festival in Union Square Park from noon until 3PM. The theme of this year’s parade is Express Yourself! Make sure to register today.
Three years ago Mayor Bill de Blasio declared July as “Disability Pride Month,” in honor of the 25th anniversary of the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA), which, since its inception, has helped pave the way for those with disabilities to more fully participate in their communities, schools, and the workforce. De Blasio explained that “By designating July as Disability Pride Month, we are celebrating and commending the fierce advocacy of those who have fought for equal rights for decades and reaffirming our strong commitment to making New York City the most accessible city in the world.” The passing of the ADA was a monumental step forward to ensuring equal treatment and access for individuals with disabilities, though there is still much work to be done.
With support from the NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), the disability community in New York held the first Disability Pride Parade on July 12, 2015. Since then, it has become a signature annual event to celebrate disability pride. Victor Calise, Commissioner of MOPD, explains the mission of NYC’s disability rights movement: “to change the city’s human environment so that everyone has access, and to open people’s minds so that everyone has an opportunity to seek achievement, prosperity and fulfillment.”
Enjoy this month of celebrations! Happy Fourth of July, and Happy Disability Pride!