Inclusion for Everyone: Celebrating Disability Pride Month With Children

July is Disability Pride Month, opens a new window, where we celebrate the achievements and contributions of people with disabilities.

This year we mark the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), opens a new window. The ADA is a pivotal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, education, transportation and public accommodations. 

During Disability Pride Month, opens a new window, we celebrate the progress that has been made in the recognition and inclusion of people with disabilities in daily life. It is also a time to recommit ourselves to the fight for complete equality for all people with disabilities.

For young children, this can start with sharing books that provide representation for people with disabilities. Children understand at an early age that there are similarities and differences between people and this is a great thing! Discussing and providing positive representation for individuals with disabilities helps to bring awareness and unity.

Disability Pride Month is a time to celebrate the diversity of our community and to affirm the dignity and worth of all people with disabilities. Let's work together to create a more inclusive and accessible world!

Check out these picture books that showcase disability representation.

List created by ArapahoeChildren

Share these picture books to bring awareness and help increase inclusion for people with disabilities.

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Discover more ways to celebrate Disability Pride Month!

• Attend a Disability Pride event in your community.
  • If large events or crowds are challenging for you or another person, an intentional gathering with close family and friends might be a solid alternative! 
• Talk to friends, family, and young children about disabilities and Disability Pride.
  • • If you care for a child with a disability, explore ideas from  The Every Mom, opens a new window to help children understand and celebrate their disability.
    • The Heather Report, opens a new window provides some guidance on the Dos and Don'ts for talking to kids about disability. 

• Learn more about the ADA and the rights of people with disabilities. This article from Adaptive Living Aids, opens a new window shares details about the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  • • • The Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, opens a new window (DREDF) describes the history of the ADA.

• Advocate for the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of society.
  • • • • • The Department of Health and Human Services, opens a new window provides a list of agencies that advocate for people with disabilities.
          • Ability Connection Colorado, opens a new window also provides a list of local and national resources.