Disability Pride Month
July is Disability Pride Month, a celebration of the pride felt by those individuals with disabilities. Beginning as Disability Pride Day to recognize the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio declared July as Disability Pride Month in 2015 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of this civil rights law. Although not a nationally recognized observance, the month continues to be recognized by the disabled community as a celebration of heritage, disability culture, and the unique experiences and contributions of people with disabilities.
To recognize and celebrate this month, CEHHS created a curated list of resources centering disabled voices and stories. We organized these resources into different categories to focus on the unique experiences of the broad community. These resources are available through the UT Library and online.
2024 Resource Update: The Legacy of Disabled Innovators
Embark on a journey inspired by the remarkable disabled innovators who have left an indelible mark on the world. Discover the transformative impacts these pioneers have made, their groundbreaking contributions spanning across various fields – from technology to arts, science to social activism. From the tenacious trailblazers who challenged societal norms in the face of adversity, to the influential voices advocating for inclusivity and accessibility, disabled individuals have significantly shaped our society. In this curated resource guide, we highlight the inventors, artists, scientists, and activists who have enriched our world with their unique perspectives and unwavering determination, thereby inspiring change and progress.
Learn More
- Artists and Activists | Multimedia – National Disability Arts Collection & Archive
- Chieko Asakawa: How new technology helps blind people explore the world | Video – TED
- Farida Bedwei | Coding My Way to an Empowered Life | Video – Wellesley College
- Overlooked No More: Brad Lomax, a Bridge Between Civil Rights Movements | Article – NYT (Eileen AJ Connelly)
- The Unstoppable Sang-Mook Lee | Article – PBS
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
On July 26, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), one of the most comprehensive civil rights legislations in the United States. This “equal opportunity” law prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability status. The ADA protects individuals with disabilities rights to procure employment, to purchase goods/services, and to participate in governmental programs. Learn more about the ADA at www.ada.gov
ADA Resources
- ADA at 30: Accessibility in Pittsburg | Podcast
- Celebrating 25 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act | Blog Post
- Civics 101 – Episode 113: The Americans with Disabilities Act | Podcast Episode
- Sitting-in for disability rights: The Section 504 protests of the 1970s | Blog PostThe 30th Mark – A Look at the History of the Americans with Disabilities Act | Timeline
Disabled Voices
The below resources highlight some of the voices in the disabled community through different media formats.
Previously Highlighted Resources
2023 Resources
- Beyond Awareness: Disability Awareness That Matters | Podcast
- Deaf Republic | Poetry
- Disability Visibility (Young Adult Reader) | Book
- Enjoying: Disability as a Creative Force | Video
- Moving From Disability Rights to Disability Justice | Article
2022 Resources
General Educational Resources
- Academic Ableism: Disability and Higher Education | E-Book
- A Disability History of the United States | Physical Book
- Crip Theory: Cultural Signs of Queerness and Disability | E-Book & Physical Book
- Deconceptualizing Disability in Education | E-Book
- Recovering Bodies: Illness, Disability, and Life-Writing | E-Book & Physical Book
- The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum | Physical Book
- The Disability Studies Reader | E-Book
Essays & Memoirs
Movies, Documentaries & Videos
- I’m Not Your Inspiration, Thank You Very Much | Video
- Lives Worth Living | Documentary
- Our Fight for Disability Rights – And Why We’re Not Done Yet | Video
- Sins Invalid: An Unshamed Claim to Beauty | Documentary
Physical & E-Books
- Everything Here Is Beautiful by Mira Lee| Physical Book
- Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert | Physical Book
- Girl at War by Sara Nović | Physical Book
- Marcelo in the Real Word by Francisco Stork | Physical Book
Curated July 2021 by Miranda N. Rutan, Doctoral Student, CEHHS A&E, UT Knoxville | Updated July 2024 by Miranda N. Rutan, Doctoral Student, CEHHS A&E, UT Knoxville