Disability Pride Month 2026: The World Works Better With Us

Campaign Overview

Each July, the Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department (AD) joins communities across the nation in celebrating Disability Pride Month.

This year’s national theme, established by The Arc, “The World Works Better With Us,” highlights a simple truth: when people with disabilities can fully participate in community life, everyone benefits. Accessible and inclusive communities foster innovation, strengthen connections, and create opportunities for everyone to thrive.

Disability Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate identity, honor the history of the disability rights movement, and recognize the leadership, creativity, and contributions of people with disabilities of all ages. It is also a reminder that accessibility, equity, and belonging are ongoing commitments.

Throughout the month, AD will spotlight the voices and experiences of Angelenos with disabilities through stories, educational resources, and community engagement opportunities that encourage understanding and action.

Campaign Goals

Celebrate Disability Pride: Recognize disability as a natural part of human diversity and honor the experiences, identities, and achievements of people with disabilities.

Increase Awareness: Share information that helps build understanding about disability history, rights, accessibility, and inclusion.

Elevate Community Voices: Highlight the perspectives and lived experiences of people with disabilities through storytelling and community engagement.

Encourage Inclusive Practices: Inspire individuals, organizations, and communities to create environments where everyone can participate fully.

Promote Accessibility for All: Reinforce that accessible design and inclusive practices improve everyday life for everyone.

Key Messages

The world works better when people with disabilities are included, valued, and empowered.

Disability is a natural part of human diversity and an important aspect of many people’s identities.

Accessibility and inclusion benefit everyone by creating communities where all people can participate and thrive.

People with disabilities help shape stronger communities through their leadership, innovation, and lived experiences. Their voices are essential in developing programs, policies, and environments that work for everyone.

Disability Pride looks different for everyone. It can mean celebrating identity, building community, advocating for change, or simply feeling comfortable being yourself.

Top Facts

Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July and commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990.

Source: ADA.gov

More than 1 in 4 adults (over 70 million) in the United States live with a disability. Disability touches every community, culture, and generation.

Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC) / DHDS

Many disabilities are not immediately visible. Not all disabilities are visible. Disabilities can be physical, sensory, intellectual, developmental, cognitive, psychiatric, or related to chronic health conditions.  Most importantly, disability experiences vary widely from person to person.

Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Engagement Tips

Center voices of people with disabilities by watching, reading, and amplifying their stories.

Start Conversations: Bring Disability Pride Month into your teams, departments, and communities. Encourage inclusive language and practices.

Celebrate Visibility: Attend Disability Pride events, wear pride gear, or add the Disability Pride flag to your space or email signature.

Keep It Accessible: Use alt text, captions, and plain language in all communications.

Be an Advocate: Speak up when you see ableism or exclusion — even when it’s subtle.

Additional Resources

Explore these organizations to learn more about disability rights, accessibility, and inclusion:

ADA National Network
Provides information, guidance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). adata.org

The Arc
Offers resources and advocacy to promote and protect the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
thearc.org

California Disability Community Action Network (CDCAN)
Shares updates and information related to disability policy, advocacy, and community engagement in California.
www.cdcan.us

Video Series: “Proud to Be Me"

As part of this year’s campaign, AD is proud to present “Proud to Be Me,” a video series featuring people with disabilities from across the Los Angeles Region.

Through personal reflections and lived experiences, participants share what disability pride means to them, the communities that have supported them, and the unique strengths and perspectives they bring to the world.

These stories remind us that there is no single disability experience. Pride can look different for everyone, but at its heart is the belief that every person deserves to be seen, respected, included, and celebrated for who they are.

Watch new videos throughout July on AD’s social media channels and in departmental communications.

Note: To view all videos in the playlist, click the playlist icon in the upper-right corner of the video frame.

Disability Pride Flag

Created by writer and disability advocate Ann Magill and later refined with community input, the Disability Pride Flag has become a powerful symbol of identity, solidarity, and pride. It celebrates the diversity, resilience, and unity of the disability community.

The flag’s colors represent different disability experiences:

Red: Physical disabilities

Gold: Cognitive and intellectual disabilities

White: Nonvisible and undiagnosed disabilities

Blue: Psychiatric disabilities

Green: Sensory disabilities

Black background: Honors those who have lost their lives due to ableism, neglect, illness, institutionalization, and other injustices experienced by the disability community

Source: California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA)             

Spread the Word on Social Media

Help us celebrate Disability Pride Month by sharing stories, resources, and messages that promote accessibility, inclusion, and disability pride throughout Los Angeles County.

Use our ready-to-share graphics and hashtags to amplify the message that “the world works better” when everyone has the opportunity to participate, contribute, and belong.

AD Handles:

• Facebook & Instagram: @LACounty4AD
• X (Twitter), BlueSky, & LinkedIn: @LACountyAD

Use Relevant Hashtags

#DisabilityPrideMonth

#TheWorldWorksBetterWithUs

#ProudToBeMe

#AccessibleLA

#LACountyAD

Sample Social Posts

Post 1:

Disability is not an exception to the human experience. It’s a defining part of it.🗣️

This Disability Pride Month, we’re joining @LACountyAD to say our communities work better with individuals with disabilities at the forefront.

L.A. County is committed to creating an inclusive society that values different perspectives every day.

#LACountyAD #DisabilityPrideMonth #TheWorldWorksBetterWithUs

Post 2:

The world works better with us! ✨

We’re joining @LACountyAD in being loud and proud about the impact that individuals with disabilities have on the @CountyofLA.

When people with disabilities are included, respected, and supported, society works better for everyone.

#LACountyAD #DisabilityPrideMonth #AccessibleLA #ProudToBeMe

Post 3:

Ramps, closed captioning, audiobooks, and more! 🎉

Individuals with disabilities have made everyday life better for all of us.

This month, we’re standing with @LACountyAD to uplift individuals with disabilities who build equitable communities across the @CountyofLA.

Join us in celebrating disability pride this month and every month.

#LACountyAD #DisabilityPrideMonth #DisabilityPrideLA #InclusiveLA

Stay Connected

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