Celebrating Disability Pride: Honoring the ADA

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990, marked a watershed moment in civil rights for individuals living with disabilities. To honor this milestone, July is celebrated as Disability Pride Month, with July 26 designated as National Disability Independence Day.

The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, education, transportation, and all public and private places open to the general public.

The primary goal of the ADA is to ensure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else, thereby removing barriers to key areas of life such as employment, transportation, and public services.

Disabilities can be varied and multifaceted, ranging from visible to invisible, and can affect mobility, cognition, vision, hearing, learning, sensory, developmental, or acquired aspects of life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 in 4 adults in the USA report having a disability.

In celebration of Disability Pride Month, the Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities (LACCOD) participated in the inaugural raising of the Disability Pride flag at Long Beach City Hall on July 8, 2024. LACCOD President Carlos Benavides, Second Vice President Ray Pizarro, and Commissioner Deaka McClain were in attendance.

“It is imperative that we as a city, as leaders, and as a whole community continue to prioritize disabled voices and lived experiences to ensure that we are truly inclusive,” McClain said. “All means all when we talk about inclusion. All means all when we talk about diversity. All means all when we talk about equity.”

Reflecting on 34 years of progress, we remain committed to advancing the rights and opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Our journey continues as we strive for a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG