Disability and chronic illness awareness is not limited to a single day or month; it is part of everyday life. This calendar highlights notable awareness months, weeks, and days connected to disability, accessibility, and chronic health.
Whether you are sharing your story, planning content, preparing advocacy initiatives, or simply staying informed, this calendar provides a month-by-month overview of key moments. It is a living resource and will be updated regularly as new campaigns and observances arise.
- January
- World Braille Day – 4 January (International)
- Glaucoma Awareness Month – (International/primarily US)
- Birth Defects Prevention Month – (International/primarily US)
- February
- Rare Disease Day – 28 February (29 February in leap years) (International)
- Low Vision Awareness Month – (International/primarily US)
- March
- Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month – (International/primarily US)
- Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month – (International/primarily US)
- World Down Syndrome Day – 21 March (International)
- Purple Day (Epilepsy Awareness) – 26 March (International/primarily Canada & US)
- Endometriosis Awareness Month – (International/primarily US & Canada)
- Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month – (International/primarily US & Canada)
- April
- Autism Acceptance Month – (International/primarily US & Canada)
- World Autism Awareness Day – 2 April (International)
- World Health Day – 7 April (International)
- May
- Mental Health Awareness Month – (International/primarily US & Canada)
- Global Accessibility Awareness Day – Third Thursday of May (International)
- International ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia Awareness Day – 12 May (International)
- June
- Men’s Health Month – (International/primarily US & Canada)
- Learning Disability Week – dates vary (International/primarily UK & Canada)
- Autistic Pride Day – 18 June (International)
- July
- Disability Pride Month – (International/primarily US & Canada)
- August
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month – (International/primarily US & Canada)
- International Cat Day – 8 August (International, light-hearted inclusion)
- September
- National Service Dog Month – (International/primarily US & Canada)
- International Day of Sign Languages – 23 September (International)
- Pain Awareness Month – (International/primarily US & Canada)
- October
- Learning Disabilities Awareness Month – (International/primarily US & Canada)
- ADHD Awareness Month – (International/primarily US & Canada)
- World Cerebral Palsy Day – 6 October (International)
- World Mental Health Day – 10 October (International)
- November
- Prematurity Awareness
- Alzheimer’s Awareness
- Epilepsy Awareness Month – (International/primarily US & Canada)
- Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (Canada) – (Canada)
- National Diabetes Month – (International/primarily US & Canada)
- December
- International Day of Persons with Disabilities – 3 December (International)
- World AIDS Day – 1 December (International)