What Is Disability Pride?
Disability Pride Month, recognized every July, is a time to celebrate the strength, resilience, and diversity of the disability community. It challenges stigma and highlights disability as a meaningful part of identity, culture, and lived experience.
Pride in disability means recognizing that disability is not a problem to solve – but a powerful part of the human experience. It’s a time to honour the leadership, creativity, and contributions of disabled people while continuing to push for equity and inclusion across all spaces.
What Does the Disability Pride Flag Represent?
The Disability Pride Flag, originally designed by Ann Magill, uses bold colours and symbolism to reflect the broad spectrum of disability experiences:
- Red represents physical disabilities
- Gold stands for neurodivergence
- White symbolizes invisible and undiagnosed disabilities
- Blue reflects emotional and psychiatric disabilities
- Green represents sensory disabilities, such as blindness, deafness, and sensory processing differences
[Image Description: Disability Pride Flag, 2021]
The flag’s black background represents mourning and rage for those lost to ableist violence. A diagonal stripe cuts through that darkness — symbolizing light, creativity, and the ongoing work of breaking down systemic barriers.
Source: History of the Disability Pride Flag, Columbia University
Why It Matters
Disability Pride Month creates space for visibility and storytelling. It centres disabled experiences and continues to affirm the importance of accessible, inclusive communities where everyone can belong. It’s not only a celebration, it’s a reminder that access is a right, not a privilege.
At AccessNow, the mission is to build a more accessible world – one driven by community, innovation, and action. Whether through our platform or community-driven projects like AccessFest, a celebration of accessibility and disabled joy, or FUTURES, a program empowering disabled, neurodivergent, and equity-deserving youth to explore identity and grow as leaders. AccessNow is committed to supporting and fostering opportunities for connection, leadership, and pride.
Want to Get Involved?
AccessNow is currently recruiting for FUTURES!
An in-person and online program for Neurodivergent, Disabled, and equity-deserving youth to explore identity, grow as leaders, and build lasting connections.
FUTURES is a three-month experience where you will join a cohort of like-minded individuals making an impact. You’ll be a part of weekly programming featuring creative workshops, guest speakers, facilitated discussions, mentorship, game nights, and good old fashion hang-outs. FUTURES empowers you to explore your identity, grow as a leader, and build lasting connections.
PROGRAM DETAILS
📍 Toronto (in-person) – Fall 2025
- Application Deadline: July 31, 2025
- Program: September 2 – December 12, 2025
Virtual – Fall 2025
- Application Deadline: July 31, 2025
- Program: September 2 – December 12, 2025
This program requires a weekly commitment of attending programming for 3 hours per week (in person or virtual) and independent work up to 2 hours per week.
Spots are limited, visit Futures – The AccessStudio and register today.
[Image Description: A promotional graphic for the FUTURES program. Text and a Polaroid picture of the team are on a light purple background. Text reads: FUTURES registration is open. FUTURES is a three-month experience designed for Disabled, Neurodivergent, and equity-seeking youth who want to invest in themselves, connect with community, and grow into bold, authentic leaders. Invest in yourself. Shape the future.]
