July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the diverse community of people with disabilities, reflect on progress that has been made in empowering folks to live with dignity, and re-energize ourselves for the work that lies ahead in building genuinely inclusive communities and society. Communities around the country will be marking the occasion with festivals and other events. Disability Pride Festivals are a chance for members of the disability community to celebrate together, while providing others the opportunity to better understand the lived experiences of neighbors with disabilities.
On Saturday, July 23, the Coulee Region Disability Action Network will present Disability Pride Fest, a free celebration of disability culture promoting inclusion and accessibility and highlighting the value of people with disabilities to our community. This event at Copeland Park in La Crosse will include music, food, art, activities, speakers, performers, and resource booths from many area organizations. More information is available at GLaxDiversityCouncil.com/2022/06/27/disability-pride-fest.
The following week, on Saturday, July 30, Madison’s annual Disability Pride Festival will return after a two-year absence. The Disability Pride Festival, taking place at Warner Park, is a fun day of entertainers, exhibits, adaptive sports, artists and craftspeople. The public is invited to join Wisconsin’s disability community for this celebration of the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and share their commitment to a more inclusive society for all. The Council is proud to be a sponsor of this fantastic event. If you attend, we invite you to stop by our booth and say hello! Find more information at DisabilityPrideMadison.org/festival-2022.
The ADA, signed into law on July 26, 1990, prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in such areas as jobs, education, transportation, and all places that are open to the general public. You can learn more about the ADA at ADATA.org/learn-about-ada.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing back the festival this summer,” said Kate Moran of Disability Pride Madison. “This is a rare opportunity for kids and adults, businesses and artists, and anybody else who cares about inclusive communities to gather, have fun, get to know their neighbors, and learn about some of the available services and work being done to empower people with disabilities.”
