Disability Pride Month

July is Disability Pride Month, originating in the United States after the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26th 1990. It has since expanded into a global movement that recognizes those who face barriers every day due to a variety of conditions. The Disability Pride flag was first designed by Ann Magill and has recently been refined by the Disabled Community to be more visually accommodating. Each element of the flag represents something different: The Black Field: A color of mourning and rage; for those who are victims of Ableist violence, and also rebellion and protest. The Five Colors: The variety of needs and experiences (Invisible and undiagnosed disabilities, physical disabilities, neurodivergence, psychiatric disabilities, sensory disabilities). The Parallel Stripes: Solidarity within the Disability Community and all its differences. The Diagonal Band: “Cutting across” barriers that separate disabled people; creativity and light cutting through the darkness. The books listed here (both nonfiction and fiction) reflect just some of the many disabled experiences and or call for greater disability justice and are amazing resources to help better understand those facing everyday challenges.