Disability pride means embracing your disabled identity as something worthy, valuable, and strong. It’s about rejecting the idea that our worth is tied to how close we appear to nondisabled norms. It’s not about being inspirational just for existing. It’s about existing loudly and fully, knowing we belong.

At Babies Down, Bottles Up, we know that disability is not our whole identity. It’s a part of who we are—just like race, gender, personality, or culture. It informs our experiences, our perspectives, and sometimes the way we move through the world, but it doesn’t define us. That’s why Disability Pride Month matters. It creates space to live unapologetically, to show up fully, and to help others feel empowered to do the same.

Pride Requires Change: Where We Stand on Disability Employment

Pride also means demanding more than visibility. It means holding systems accountable. In the United States, only about 38 percent of disabled adults are employed, compared to over 75 percent of nondisabled adults. For disabled women and people of color, the disparities are even wider.

There are signs of progress. In 2023, employment among disabled people reached record highs, and more organizations are beginning to adopt inclusive hiring practices. Structured programs and internships led by disability-focused organizations are helping open doors. Still, outdated laws and limited accommodations keep many from accessing meaningful, fairly paid work.

This month is a call to action—for employers to move beyond performative inclusion and start creating workplaces where disabled people thrive, not just survive.

Accessibility Should Be a Standard, Not a Bonus

Accessibility touches every part of life. It’s not just about curb cuts or closed captions. It’s about ensuring people can show up fully—at work, in classrooms, at concerts, at conferences, on the internet. And that takes more than compliance. It takes intention.

We’ve seen promising steps in some industries. Companies are rethinking digital platforms to work with screen readers, offering flexible work setups, and incorporating accessibility into event planning. But this expansion needs to continue across every sector—education, healthcare, government, hospitality, and more.

Disability pride includes recognizing that we all benefit from accessibility. A more inclusive world is a better world for everyone.

How We Celebrate Disability Pride Month

Disability Pride Month began in 1990 with the first Disability Pride Day in Boston. Since then, it has grown into a global celebration of identity, progress, and visibility. But more importantly, it’s a celebration of choice—the choice to take up space, to move through the world authentically, and to show pride in our communities.

Celebration can take many forms:

Uplifting disabled voices and creators



Sharing resources and stories



Hosting accessible events and panels



Advocating for accessibility within your circles



Reflecting on your own journey or listening to those of others

We encourage everyone—disabled or not—to engage with this month intentionally. Learn something new. Listen. Amplify. And most importantly, recognize the strength and diversity within the disability community.

We Belong Here, and We’re Here to Stay

Disability Pride Month is not just a moment. It’s a movement. A movement rooted in the belief that being disabled is not something to overcome, but something to embrace. Not our whole story—but a meaningful part of it.

This month reminds us that we don’t have to shrink ourselves to fit into an inaccessible world. We’re building a better one instead. One where we can live proudly, freely, and visibly—together.