Every July, the United States and many other countries celebrate Disability Pride Month. This month highlights the experiences of people with disabilities (PwD), recognizes disability as an identity and explores the joy PwD brings to their communities.
Disability Pride Month has been celebrated since 1990. That year, the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in July. Since then, the celebration has gained global support. Countries like the United Kingdom and South Africa also participate. During this month, PwD embrace their identities.
Here are a few things to know about people with disabilities.
1. Disability Facts and Figures
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 adults (27%) in the U.S. have a disability.
There are different percentages of people who have functional disabilities. For example, 12.1% of people who have a disability have a mobility disability which causes difficulty in walking or climbing stairs. Cognition disabilities, which create difficulties when it comes to concentrating, remembering or making decisions, impact 12.8% of people with disabilities. Vision disabilities such as blindness or difficulty seeing even while wearing glasses impacts 4.8% of people with disabilities.
2. ERGs Are Important for People with Disabilities
The National Organization on Disability’s Disability in the Workplace 2023 Insights Report shows an increase in companies with Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for employees with disabilities, rising from 8% to 12%. Top disability employers with a budget for ERGs for people with disabilities were 11 times more likely to promote employees with disabilities than those without a budget. Additionally, these companies were 5.6 times more likely to employ more people with disabilities in management roles.
Download the report for more information.
3. How You Can Help
To improve the health and quality of life for people living with disabilities, there are numerous ways to get involved in your community, at work and on a national or global scale.
One way is to educate yourself on issues faced by people with disabilities and learn how organizations help. For example, the CDC partners with the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities to improve lives. The organizations promote healthy living, monitor public health data and improve access to healthcare. Additional information can be found on the CDC’s website.
Another way to contribute is by advocating for policies that promote inclusivity and accessibility. This could involve supporting legislation that protects the rights of PwD, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). You can also participate in awareness campaigns or fundraising events organized by non-profit organizations dedicated to disability rights. Furthermore, consider volunteering your time or skills to these organizations.
