Disability Pride Month

July 23, 2024

In 2023, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario passed Bill 128, an act to proclaim that July is Disability Pride Month. The bill states, "Disability is not only an identity but also a community with a diverse culture all their own to be proud of and celebrated. Disability culture is about visibility and self-value. Disability Pride Month is a time for recognizing these facts and listening to people with disabilities."

The history of Disability Pride Month dates back to July 1990, when the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law in the United States. It is a time to honour the history, achievements, and struggles of people with disabilities. One of the symbols of disability pride month is the flag, the latest iteration of which dates back to 2021. Here are the meanings behind each part of the flag:

·     All six flag colours: Disability spans across borders

·     Black background: To mourn victims of ableist violence and abuse 

·     Diagonal Band: Cutting across barriers that separate disabled people from society 

·     Red Stripe: Physical disabilities 

·     Gold Stripe: Neurodivergence 

·     White Stripe: Undiagnosed and invisible disabilities 

·     Blue Stripe: Psychiatric disabilities 

·      Green Stripe: Sensory disabilities 

 The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act does not have a healthcare standard, but a committee is making recommendations on what this could look like. One of the mandates under exploration is peer support for people with disabilities.

For people with disabilities, peer support can involve someone with lived experience helping them navigate everyday tasks, access accommodations, or provide emotional support. Many organizations that support people with disabilities have peer support programs, but these may exist in some regions and not others. They also may lack stable funding for peer support programs.