July is a month of affirmation, visibility, and pride. Every year during Disability Pride Month, we are reminded that a disability is not something we have to hide or apologize for. It's a vital part of human richness, and an opportunity to showcase our diversity and strength!
This month commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990. This historic milestone marked a before and after in the defense of civil rights for people with disabilities. In 2025, National Disability Pride Month is observed from July 1 to July 31.
The purpose of this month is to celebrate the achievements and contributions of the disability community, promote human rights, and raise awareness about the barriers that still persist.
This year's theme, "We Belong Here, and We're Here to Stay," highlights the importance and need of authentic inclusion and the ongoing fight for equal opportunities. Disability takes many forms: physical, sensory, cognitive, mental, and also neurodivergent. For me, neurodiversity—how human brains process information, feel, and connect with the world—deserves a special place in this celebration.
The term neurodiversity reminds us that conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette syndrome, and many others are not "flaws" that must be fixed but legitimate expressions of the human mind. Each and every one brings unique perspectives, talents, and ways of experiencing life that enrich our communities.
The Los Angeles Public Library is hosting the exhibition Looks Like Home to Me: Inside Progressive Art Studio, a showcase celebrating the remarkable achievements of artists working in Progressive Art Studios across California and the nation. The exhibition features works by more than 80 artists exploring a range of media, from drawings and textiles to video. It offers a profound glimpse into the creative power flourishing within these extraordinary communities.
This month is an opportunity to dismantle prejudice because disability does not make us less. Neurodiversity does not make us defective. It makes us human.
With gratitude for all the diverse minds, bodies, and hearts.
Special thanks to the Library's DiversAbility Affinity Group for supporting and contributing to this blog.
If you'd like to deepen your knowledge and empathy, here are some recommended readings you can find at the Los Angeles Public Library.
Recommended Books and Movies
