Disability Pride Month

Hi Jetpunk! While this is definitely going to be a very different blog than literally anything else I usually write, but this is a subject that is very important to me. So, even though my typical sass and sarcasm will largely be absent, please continue reading, as this is a chance to learn about something new and largely obscure.

What do I mean when I say "Disability Pride Month"? Disability Pride Month is celebrated worldwide every July. It started in the United States as a celebration of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July of 1990. Since then, Disability Pride celebrations have grown, particularly in the online space, as a recognition both the progress of disability rights and the hardships that the community faces to this day.

Some FAQs before we continue...

Q: What is the proper language when discussing people with disabilities?

A: The short answer is... it depends? Every person or group has their own preferences. The safest term is "Person/People with Disabilities" but some prefer "Disabled Person/People". If you are more curious, look up "Person first language vs. Identity First Language" and do some reading. I have written extensively on this topic before, not on JetPunk, but still; I don't feel like writing it again.

Q: "But that person doesn't look disabled!"? Yes. It's a question.

A: It does not matter! Disabilities come in all different shapes and sizes, some are visible, some are not. None are more or less valid because of this. They are still disabilities.

Q: Why have I never heard of Disability Pride Month?

A: Well, Pride Month in June has become... very corporate heavy, and this trend does not carry over to the month of July. Corporations don't change their logos or make merchandise with the Disability Pride Flag. Also, while some Disability Pride Parades have happened, they are not incredibly common due to the inaccessible nature of parade events. Many people with disabilities cannot attend parades, and many chose not to due to concerns of contagious illness.

Q: Why do we need Disability Pride Month?

A: Despite progress that has been made, there is still a long way to go! In the United States alone (which is what I know, sorry), it is still legal to pay someone less than minimum wage, just because they are disabled. While it varies state by state, it is true. Also, disabled people don't have true marriage equality, as they risk losing their benefits if they get married. The United States' healthcare system is built in a way that prioritizes profit over the health of the patient, which is a problem for many with chronic health issues.

This flag is actually the second iteration of the disability pride flag. The original design was unveiled in 2019, and was designed by Ann Magill. The design was very similar to the modern flag in concept, but featured brighter colors in a lightning bolt pattern. However, when used online on certain websites, the bright colors had the potential to trigger seizures or other illness symptoms, so the design was changed for accessibility. It is for this reason I will not be providing an image of the 2019 flag. Google it if you want to see it.

In 2021, the new flag design entered into use, with Magill entering it into public domain. But what do the different colors mean?

The diagonal represents breaking through the barriers of non-disabled society, as well as creativity persevering.

This July, make an active effort to learn about the triumphs, struggles, and experiences of people living with disabilities. There are lots of people online writing commentaries or making videos about what it is like to live with chronic illness, mobility issues, or other disabilities.

Is this very different to literally anything else I have ever written on here... yes. But it is important and I need to get this out somewhere. I hope you learned something! Hopefully I will have time to write some more rant-style blogs at some point... but I'm not optimistic.

Thanks for reading!

-Rosie