July is Disability Pride Month, But What Does That Mean?

Article | July 26, 2024 Doreen Samelson, Ed.D., MSCP Catalight Chief Clinical Officer

Dr. Doreen Samelson (center) speaks at Catalight’s Enhancing Your Impact Conference in March.

Recently, someone asked me, “what does disability pride mean to you?”

July is Disability Pride Month and July 26 is National Disability Independence Day. Both commemorate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990.

I was lucky enough to be invited to the 10th anniversary of ADA celebration in Washington D.C. and had the opportunity to meet with Vice President Al Gore, but I can’t really recall anyone talking about being proud of their disability. So, I must admit, when I was asked what it meant to me, I had to give it some thought.

I’m disabled – a wheelchair user. On most days, I do feel proud of myself. But, the bigger question may be, am I proud of my disability or being disabled?

I usually use identity first language to describe myself. In other words, I’ll typically say, “I’m a disabled person” rather than “I’m a person with a disability.” My disability is part of my identity in the same way that being female is. I mostly accept my body, but I’ve never liked my wide feet or my nose. I don’t spend my days looking for a cure, but I’d sure like to reverse the effects of using a wheelchair and forearm crutches for many years, which has caused significant joint problems!

So, what does Disability Pride Month mean to me? I’m not entirely sure but here are a few things. For me disability pride means…

Being able to use the language I want to use to describe myself, while respecting those who choose to use person-first language to describe their disability.
When people see me, they see my disability but that’s not all they see.
People don’t assume that my disability is age related. I’ve learned that assumption comes with the gray hair.
Recognizing that I can’t speak for others whose disability experience is different from mine, but I can learn from them.
Having access to go where I want to go and do what I want to do.
Being able to contribute to, and advocate, for disability causes that are important to me.
And, finally, appreciation of the American Disability Act which guarantees me rights that I didn’t previously have as a disabled person.

Next year the ADA will be 35 years old. This year’s Disability Pride Month is almost over. I have 11 months to think about disability pride means to me before next July!

About Catalight

Catalight breaks down barriers and biases to create a more equitable world so people with developmental disabilities can choose their path. Catalight provides access to innovative, individualized care services, clinical research and advocacy — all powered by intelligent technology. Through the work of affiliate partners, Easterseals Hawaii and Easterseals Northern California, Catalight and its family of companies support people with developmental disabilities and their families across their care journey.

The Catalight family of companies is one of the largest behavioral health networks in the nation with more than 14,000 practitioners serving 20,000 clients and families every day. Backed by more than a decade of experience and a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, we are reimagining the way people with developmental disabilities and their families experience healthcare. Catalight’s goal is to ensure that individuals and families receive timely access to evidence-based treatment, including naturalistic developmental and language-based services, applied behavior analysis, occupational therapy and speech therapy.