As July comes to a close, so too does another Disability Pride Month, a month of stories, truths, celebration, and hard conversations. And while the calendar might say it’s over, disability doesn’t pause when the month ends, and neither should awareness, advocacy, or action.
What We Talked About
This year, we used this space to unpack a wide spectrum of lived realities. both personal and collective. Here’s just a glimpse at where we journeyed together:
- We opened the month by grounding the meaning of Disability Pride, how it began in the U.S., and how it’s slowly growing in awareness around the world, including here in Canada.
- We explored burnout through a disability lens, reminding the world that not all exhaustion looks the same, and that for many of us, rest isn’t optional.
- We dug into employment, both from those working with and without disability support, and the structural inequities that come with that.
- We looked at access barriers in everyday life: from snowy sidewalks and heavy doors, to the invisible stares and gatekeeping disabled people face just for existing in public.
- We talked about not being seen, whether that’s because you “don’t look disabled” or because people speak about you instead of to you.
- And we acknowledged that disability rights are global, not just local. And that none of us are free until all of us are.
Every post, quote, and conversation has helped add another thread to the rich, ongoing tapestry of what Disability Pride Month means, especially when filtered through a Canadian lens.
Why It Matters, Still
Disability Pride Month isn’t about pretending everything is perfect. It’s not just rainbows and flag waving. It’s a statement, that we exist, we belong, and we are not ashamed of our bodies, minds, needs, or histories.
It’s about honouring both our fight and our joy, and reminding the world that inclusion isn’t optional. It’s the baseline.
Where We Go From Here
This month may have been focused, but these conversations don’t stop here. They live on in every future article, every share, every conversation you have offline. They show up when you ask for accommodations, speak up in your workplace, or simply choose to listen and believe someone else’s experience.
As we move forward, here’s what we can all do, whether disabled or not:
- Keep learning. Ask questions, challenge assumptions.
- Use your voice. Whether it’s a whisper or a rally cry.
- Support each other. Community isn’t just comfort, it’s power.
- Push for change. In systems, services, policy, and perspective.
This Isn’t the End
Just because July is ending doesn’t mean this series is.
Disability isn’t one month of the year, it’s every second, minute, hour, and day. There will be more articles, more blog posts, and more reflections in the days and weeks ahead. Because our stories don’t fit neatly into a single theme or timeline, they unfold continuously.
So whether you’re new here or have followed along from day one, thank you for being part of this space. For listening, for learning, for questioning, for showing up.
Final Thought
Disability Pride isn’t about pretending it’s easy. It’s about owning that it’s not, and being proud anyway. Proud of how we adapt. Proud of how we show up. Proud of how we demand better not just for ourselves, but for everyone who will need it tomorrow.
Because like we said earlier this month, disability is the only group anyone can join at any time.
Let’s make sure the world we’re building is ready for whoever joins us next.