July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the contributions and culture of people with disabilities everywhere. This commemoration coincides with the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) thirty-two years ago on July 26, 1990, which legally prohibited discrimination against people with disabilities, including in employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications, and in relation to accessing government services. It is marked as National Disability Independence Day. It celebrates the exact day the ADA was signed into federal law. Cities across the United States have parades every year to focus on the momentous occasion. Its nationwide implementation has brought about countless technological advancements to make society more equitable and inclusive.  

More than three decades later, Disability Pride Month serves as an opportunity to reflect on the work still to be done to make these legal protections a lived reality, and to ensure that people with disabilities are fully affirmed, included, supported, and protected in our society. National Disability Pride month is not only about awareness but about understanding and respect. 

Back 2023, the Office of IDEaS launched the Profile in Diversity Series, a year-round initiative that aims to honor cultural heritage months and wholeheartedly celebrate the diverse groups in our community in real-time. In honor of Disability Pride month, we are profiling Special Needs Advocacy Inc., a local organization that seeks to provide advocacy, awareness, trainings, and educational support for students with disabilities, families, community members, teachers, and professionals in the classroom. As our national highlight we are profiling Keah Brown; Author, Actress, Journalist &Screenwriter. Learn how Keah, born with Cerebral Palsy, embraced herself and passion. 

Disability Pride Flag

Each color stripe has a meaning: 

• Red - physical disabilities 
• Gold - neurodiversity 
• White - invisible disabilities and disabilities that have not yet been diagnosed 
• Blue - emotional and psychiatric disabilities, including mental illness, anxiety, and depression 
• Green - for sensory disabilities, including deafness, blindness, lack of smell, lack of taste, audio processing disorder, and all other sensory disabilities 

The faded black background mourning and rage for victims of ableist violence and abuse. The diagonal band cuts across the walls and barriers that separate the disabled from normal society, also representing light and creativity cutting through the darkness. 

Ann Magill created the Disability Pride flag in 2019, and updated in 2021 to be visually safe and inclusive.

Ann Magill, a writer with cerebral palsy created the Disability Pride flag in 2019. Her writing focuses on disability and social justice. When asked about what Disability Pride means to her: “Pride is about, I may not be happy about my identity now because of life circumstances, but I deserve to be happy and I think that’s the core of it. Recognizing that you deserve happiness even if you’re a marginalized person, whatever your marginalization is”. Ann Magill gives an in-depth discussion on the creation of the flag.

Profile: Special Needs Advocacy Network

Since their founding in 1983, Special Needs Advocacy has endeavored to ensure all students with disabilities access to quality education and community support. They provide free advocacy support to underserved communities, develop standards for practicing advocates, disseminate information on federal and state law on special education law, and help local businesses establish more disability friendly practices, scholarships, how to help students transition to college with accessible tools and a host of other invaluable programs.

Profile: Keah Brown

Keah Brown is a multi-talented individual, excelling as an author, actress, screenwriter, and journalist. She is widely recognized as the creator of the empowering hashtag movement #DisabledAndCute and was one of The Root’s most influential African Americans of 2018. In 2019, Keah made her mark with her debut essay collection, titled "The Pretty One." This inspiring work displays her journey of self-discovery and acceptance while offering a refreshing narrative from intersecting communities whose stories have historically been overlooked.

Born with cerebral palsy, Keah initially yearned for normalcy and sought refuge from the self-hate perpetuated by societal norms. However, through years of introspection and connecting with others in her community, she has reclaimed her identity and transformed her perspective. Keah's writing has been featured in numerous esteemed publications including Teen Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire UK, and The New York Times, to name just a few. Currently, she is involved in co-writing a musical and expanding her presence in the film and television industry. Keah Brown is a powerful advocate for inclusivity and self-acceptance. She is redefining the narrative perceived in pop culture, fashion, and in our everyday lives for people with disabilities. To learn more about Keah, please visit Keah's website.