Every July, Disability Pride Month celebrates the strength, diversity, and contributions of people with disabilities while recognizing disability as a natural and valuable part of the human experience. More than an awareness campaign, Disability Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate identity, promote inclusion, and reaffirm the importance of building communities where everyone can thrive.

This year's national theme, "The World Works Better With Us," highlights a simple but powerful message: when people with disabilities are included, valued, and empowered, our schools, workplaces, and communities are stronger for everyone. Today, more than one in four adults in the United States lives with a disability, making disability the nation's largest minority community.

Disability Pride Month is observed in July to commemorate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990. The ADA marked a historic milestone in the disability rights movement by prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities and expanding access to employment, education, transportation, and public life. Its passage followed decades of advocacy by disability rights activists, including the powerful 1990 "Capitol Crawl," during which activists demonstrated the barriers created by inaccessible public spaces and called on Congress to pass the landmark legislation.

While tremendous progress has been made over the past 36 years, Disability Pride Month also reminds us that the work continues. Accessibility is about more than ramps and elevators—it includes inclusive education, effective communication, assistive technology, employment opportunities, and ensuring every person is treated with dignity and respect. Disability Pride challenges outdated stereotypes and celebrates the talents, leadership, creativity, and lived experiences of people with disabilities.

At the Special Education Foundation (SEF), we are proud to support students with disabilities throughout St. Louis County by providing opportunities that help them learn, grow, lead, and succeed. Through programs that remove barriers and expand access—from adaptive equipment and emergency assistance to leadership development, classroom innovation, scholarships, and camp experiences—we believe every student deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Over 8,000 students with disabilities were impacted by SEF programs during the 2025–2026 school year.

This Disability Pride Month, we invite you to celebrate by learning about the disability rights movement, listening to the voices and experiences of people with disabilities, supporting organizations that advance inclusion, and advocating for accessible communities where everyone belongs.