Disability Pride Month is an annual celebration held in July that aims to recognize the experiences and achievements of individuals with disabilities.
What is Disability Pride Month?
Disability Pride Month started from the broader Disability Rights Movement, which advocates for equal rights, accessibility, and acceptance for people with disabilities. It seeks to challenge societal stigmas and promote a more inclusive and equitable society.
July was chosen as Disability Pride Month due to the historical significance of the Americans with Disabilities Act (also known as the ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA is an important legislation that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and mandates equal opportunities in employment, public accommodations, transportation, and more.
In the spirit of diversity and inclusion, we reached out to our community of Independent Creators and asked them “Share your story and journey with us. How has your disability played a part in your design work, if at all?” Here are some of the answers they’ve shared:
I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2010. There was a time when I could barely walk…I thought my life was over! After the diagnosis, treatment and rehab, I eventually became a disability pensioner because I could no longer work with all the impairments. I have a disability card…. During this time I rediscovered my love for photography, drawing and design. My hobby became my calling and gives me a lot of strength. I love funny motifs that make others and me laugh.
As a disabled veteran, I have faced unique challenges both during and after my service. Despite these challenges, I am proud of my service to my country and the sacrifices I made. My disability does not define me, but it has shaped my experiences and perspective. I have learned to adapt and persevere, and I am grateful for the support of my fellow veterans and community. Though my service may have ended, I continue to serve in new ways and strive to make a positive impact in the world.
Entirely. I am a writer and during the pandemic the libraries were shut down, and that is my place of refuge for sensory reasons. I was losing my mind. I couldn’t find a way to write, and I needed a creative outlet. I started taking pictures and sending them to friends for comfort. Then I realized that working on them soothed my sensory struggles. If I’m in a sensory shutdown or have a PTSD episode, working on pictures brings me back to center. I try to make the pictures look as healing to others as they are to me.
My son is neurodivergent. We have had to deal with ADHD, PANDAS, and Autism traits. It was a very long and hard road where we both wanted to quit several times. He decided he really liked digital art so I wanted to showcase it so he can see he matters.
Much of my work is directly related to being chronically ill and disabled. I recreated the disability pride flag (the creator put it in public domain) as well as have created work celebrating being autistic, and ADHD and honoring and celebrating disability justice. Much of my art is also shaped by me creating work I hope other neurodivergent folks could see themselves in.I’m a poet and much of my work also features quotes from my work on being a survivor and navigating disability.
My name is Sarah and I have been living with severe Tourette’s Syndrome for about 31 years. Tourette’s Syndrome is a neurological disorder that makes you do motor and vocal tics. Which in my case is very painful physically and leaves me to not be able to work full time jobs. So after struggling to keep my full time job I decided to stay home with my daughter and create an online store. I feel its because of my Tourette’s Syndrome that leaves me to be very creative, observant of things, and knowledgeable. I have created three stores within Zazzle and one of which is fully dedicated to bringing awareness and knowledge for people or family and friends of people with Tourette’s Syndrome. Tourette’s Syndrome may seem simple or not a big deal to others but in reality it is far more complicated than it seems. It also gets even more complicated if you have other health issues because then those other health issues can make your Tourette’s worse. Like in my case I have a couple other health issues that tends to make my Tourette’s worse and vary from day to day, which makes daily life activities sometimes hard to accomplish. So in being able to create and design things on Zazzle gives me a creative outlet that tends to make my Tourette’s act up less, makes me feel like I am contributing financially to my family, and makes me create things that I truly love to do.
When I was 26 years old I woke one morning to find that I could barely rise from my bed. My body was stiff and painful and my head difficult to clear from the night before sleep. Throughout that day I realized that I was exhausted beyond anything I had ever felt before. I would soon learn that I now had AntiSynthetase Syndrome: A chronic rare disease. I was a new person completely changed from who I previously was. I had to re-evaluate my attitude and my goals. I learned that acceptance and a positive attitude were the tools I required to fit into my new roles.
In my life, have been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer as a teenager, then migraine syndrome, Myalgic encephalomyelitis and Fibromyalgia. This has left my body chronically fatigued and racked with pain 24/7. I started on Zazzle creating products I couldn’t find anywhere else. With a rare cancer, and three other chronic conditions/disabilities without much public awareness, I couldn’t find anything that represented me and my journey. That began my path on Zazzle, being able to provide the products that people like me could find to feel more connected to our communities.
I have been living with rheumatoid arthritis since the age of 10, which has posed physical limitations, particularly on my joints and mobility. Despite being advised against painting due to nodules on my wrist, my passion for art remains unwavering. I have been practicing exercises for my non-dominant hand, allowing me to continue creating artwork. Through resilience and determination, I have adapted my artistic expression to accommodate my condition. Art has been a source of solace and empowerment for me, transcending the limitations of my body. I aim to inspire others facing similar challenges by sharing my story. I believe Disability Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate achievements and promote inclusion.
I’ve had a disability since I was 12 y.o. and doctors always told me that I had a bleak future, my paintings were always a window to my soul and want to share the optimism I feel with the world. I’ve been beating the odds since I’m 20 and fighting to stay positive. My paintings try to show that things can be bright and happy too, even when they tell you it’s not.
Zazzle saved my life. I was diagnosed with an incurable neuro-immune disease in 1990, at age 16. I managed to finish school and work full time until my health started declining dramatically in 2009. By 2017, I was unable to venture far from my bed or sit or stand for too long. I obviously had to quit my job, and had to move in with my mother. Not being able to work and support myself was incredibly hard to accept. I’ve aways been ultra independent, so having to ask my family for every little thing I needed was depressing. Between the daily symptoms and inability to support myself, I wanted to end my life. Around the same time, I was trying to raise awareness about the disease I have. I opened my first Zazzle store in 2017 to raise awareness with t-shirts, wheelchair blankets, posters, etc. I loved the experience of designing on Zazzle, so I decided to start designing other items. Sales were slow in the beginning, but I was stuck in bed with nothing to do so I just kept designing. It took 2 or 3 years, but I was eventually able to support myself and even renovate my new home with earnings from Zazzle. I now have a number of stores, including a personalized gift store, wedding store, business branding store, funeral store, and party store. Zazzle gives me a way to be productive while lying in bed. It enables me to pay my bills, and make my daily life a little easier or more comfortable without feeling like a burden on my family. I was able to get an adjustable bed, a wheelchair, a power inverter (I live in South Africa where we have rolling blackouts) so I can keep essential appliances running, and hire a helper 4 days a week. None of this would have been possible for me without Zazzle.
I have had back problems for most of my life. In 2019, I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis. I had been having numbness and weakness in my legs. I was told the only way to fix it was to have surgery. I had one surgery on my neck in January. Then, I had surgery on my thoracic and lumbar spine in February. By the end of that surgery, I was paralyzed from the chest down. I have been in a wheelchair ever since. I have been drawing and creating art most of my life. I spent over 20 years as a graphic designer. When you become paraplegic, you feel like a lot has been taken from you: You can no longer walk, you can no longer drive a car. There are many boundaries that were not in your life before. But, even though there are limitations, you are still you. I continued doing what I love to do. In fact, I think when we do have limitations, it helps us focus more on the things we CAN do.
Come back to read more stories as the month goes on!
How to Celebrate & Honor Disability Pride Month
- Attend disability pride parades, festivals, or events in your local community. These gatherings provide opportunities to connect with and support individuals with disabilities, while celebrating their accomplishments and raising awareness.
- Educate yourself about disability rights, access, and inclusion. Take the time to learn about the challenges faced by people with disabilities and the progress made in advancing disability rights.
- Share and promote content created by disabled individuals, such as books, articles, artwork, or podcasts.
- Engage in advocacy and activism. Support disability rights organizations and campaigns. Write letters to lawmakers advocating for policies that promote equal rights and accessibility.
- Volunteer or donate to organizations that support disabled individuals. Offer your time and skills to local disability organizations, community centers, or support groups.
- Foster inclusive environments in your personal and professional life. Encourage accessibility and accommodations for individuals with disabilities in your workplace or community spaces.
- Share disability-related resources and information on social media. Use platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to spread awareness, challenge stereotypes, and promote disability pride.
- Take the time to listen and learn from individuals with disabilities. Engage in conversations that allow for understanding their experiences, perspectives, and needs.
- Celebrate the achievements and contributions of disabled individuals. Recognize and honor their accomplishments in various fields, such as arts, sports, sciences, entrepreneurship, or advocacy. Attend events that showcase their talents and achievements.
- Reflect on personal biases and challenge ableism. Consider how you can be a better ally and advocate for disabled individuals in your daily life. Challenge ableist language or behavior when you encounter it.
What’s the Meaning of the Colors on the Disability Pride Flag?
The Disability Pride flag is a symbol that represents the strength, diversity, and experiences of the disabled community. While different variations of the flag exist, one interpretation assigns specific colors to represent various disability categories. The redesign of the Disability Pride Flag happened in 2021 by Ann Magill that now contains muted colors and straight stripes. Here’s a breakdown of this interpretation:
- Black: The black background of the flag symbolizes remembrance for disabled individuals who have passed away due to negligence, suicide, resistance, illness, and the historical impact of eugenics.
- Red: The color red represents those with physical disabilities.
- Green: In this interpretation, the color green represents sensory disabilities. It symbolizes conditions such as visual impairments, hearing impairments, or other sensory processing disorders. Green recognizes the unique challenges faced by individuals with sensory disabilities and emphasizes the importance of accessibility and understanding in relation to sensory experiences.
- Blue: Blue is associated with emotional and psychiatric disabilities. It represents mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other emotional or psychiatric disabilities. Blue serves as a reminder to prioritize mental health awareness, support, and destigmatization.
- White: White stands for non-visible and undiagnosed disabilities. It represents disabilities that may not be immediately apparent or easily recognized. This includes conditions such as chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, and other invisible disabilities. White acknowledges the challenges faced by individuals with these disabilities and emphasizes the need for understanding and support.
- Gold: Gold represents neurodiversity. It symbolizes the wide range of neurological differences and celebrates the unique strengths and perspectives of individuals with conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. Gold promotes acceptance and appreciation for the diverse ways in which individuals’ brains function.
It’s important to note that interpretations of the Disability Pride flag may vary, and the colors and meanings can be subject to personal or regional preferences.
Regardless of the exact colors or interpretations, the Disability Pride flag serves as a powerful symbol of unity, pride, and advocacy for individuals with disabilities.
Disability Pride Month is a time to celebrate the strength, resilience, and accomplishments of individuals with disabilities. It promotes inclusivity, equality, and the importance of recognizing the talents and contributions of every member of society.
At Zazzle, we will continue to honor and celebrate Disability Pride Month as it paves the way for a more inclusive and accessible world.
Nicole is our Content Strategist. She enjoys long walks to Taco Bell, rollerblading into the sunset, and eating Reese’s Cups for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Find her writing about iPhone cases, holiday card messaging and even music festival tips!
