On July 26, 1990, President Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act, opens a new window into law. That’s why we celebrate the achievements, experiences, challenges and history of those in the disability community in July.
Why is Disability Pride Month celebrated?
Reasons include increasing the visibility of disabled people, celebrating accomplishments and growing awareness around what challenges still exist. The Arc, opens a new window, a national advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, offers these suggestions for celebrating Disability Pride Month, opens a new window:
- Learn about the disability experience by learning the history of disability rights in America.
- Watch and read media created by and with people with disabilities.
- Teach kids how to acknowledge people with disabilities with tips for talking to kids about people with disabilities, opens a new window from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
- Meet people with disabilities and talk to them.
Which term should I use: “disabled” or “differently abled”?
Your best option is to ask each person what they prefer, but that’s not usually possible. The same applies to “person-first language,” which has been encouraged in the past. However, the style guide, opens a new window from the National Center for on Disability and Journalism says that “differently abled” is no longer used or preferred.
Check out these picture books to help you start a conversation.
Here are some great books that show the disabled experience in a kid-friendly way.
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