Disability Pride Month

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July is Disability Pride Month. It is meant to honor the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that was established on July 26, 1990. Ultimately, it seeks “to honor the achievements, identities, history and contributions of individuals with disabilities, all while advocating for a more accessible and inclusive society,” according to the Statewide Independent Living Council. Every Disability Pride Month, advocates strive to reduce the stigma surrounding disabilities. More than one billion people worldwide have some form of disability – including one in four adults in the U.S.

Graphic of flag that reads Celebrating Pride Disability Month.

Flag symbolism
The disability pride flag has five different color stripes, each representing a different type of disability.

  • Red: Physical disabilities.
  • Gold (Yellow): Cognitive and intellectual disabilities (neurodivergence).
  • White: Invisible and undiagnosed disabilities.
  • Blue: Psychiatric and mental health disabilities.
  • Green: Sensory disabilities (deafness, blindness, audio processing, etc.).
  • Charcoal gray background: Mourning and rage for victims of ableist violence and abuse.

The theme for Disability Pride Month this year is “The World Works Better With Us.” It is meant to underscore the importance of disabled individuals in schools, work and everyday life. The Indiana Talking Books and Braille Library embodies that theme by offering a plethora of books, magazines, resources and equipment to its disabled patron base.

During Disability Pride Month – and every month – the Indiana Talking Book and Braille Library at the Indiana State Library ensures that equitable access to materials, information and programs is upheld as law. A wide range of individuals use the Indiana Talking Book and Braille Library. Anyone with a visual impairment or physical impairment – and those who have a reading disability, like dyslexia – are welcome to join Indiana the Talking Book and Braille Library program. The Indiana Talking Book and Braille library offers a wide range of books in braille, large type and talking book format. Most importantly, the library offers a large selection of books with a disability focus – from fiction to nonfiction – to ensure patrons feel seen.

Picture of the Indiana State Library.

The Indiana State Library.

While the Indiana State library does include one assisted technology computer terminal, patrons seeking additional accessibility resources can visit the Indianapolis Public Library. The library offers accessibility workstations with assistive technology, sensory inclusive environments and universal changing stations. Six branches are officially designated as Certified Autism Centers. All locations are ADA compliant.

The Indianapolis Public Library also offers books and digital resources as part of the Expanding Our Story grant from the Clowes Foundation. Resources include online lectures celebrating Disability Pride Month and exhibits. The library occasionally presents sensory-friendly story times, too.

Securing accessibility resources is an effective step toward living an independent and equitable life. These resources are made possible by those who advocate for a more accessible and inclusive society, during Disability Pride Month and beyond.

This post was submitted by Kiley Brinker, reader advisor at the Indiana Talking Book and Braille Library.

Sources
https://disability.lacity.gov/understanding-disability-pride-flag
https://www.indypl.org/
Celebrating Disability Pride Month 2026 | Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council