Disability Pride Month 2026

Disability Pride Month is a celebration of disabled people, disability identity, and the contributions that people with disabilities make to society. It is also a reminder that disability is a natural part of human diversity, not something that makes a person less valuable.

This month commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which became law on July 26, 1990. The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in areas such as employment, public accommodations, transportation, and government services. While the disability community has achieved a lot in terms of rights and accessibility, we definitely still have a long way to go. I’m writing this at a time when the federal government is encouraging states to not give us much support as far as disabled people getting the support and services they need to live in the community instead of institutions.

Part of the reason why I became a business owner is because I wanted to create an environment where I could thrive with my disability and really dive into my strengths and work with my limitations. There are definitely companies that aim to be disability accessible and I’m trying to create that space for myself. With the work I do, I’m not only working as a disabled person, but a lot of the people I support are also disabled. I really feel like I’m able to use my lived experience to relate to people who are navigating healthcare, social services, and community support in a way that I don’t really see similar businesses operating.

When I’m creating content and directly supporting clients, I think about how I’ve not always had the money to pay for healthcare that I needed, how I’ve needed to rely on government assistance such as Medicaid and Social Security Disability Income, how stigmatized it is to be using that government assistance, and how it can be to have family and friends that don’t always understand your needs and limitations. That part, about friends and family not always understanding, can be especially frustrating at times. Disabled people often find themselves being default educators for unpaid education for the public.

In the next five years, I’d love to see myself thriving as a disabled business owner. It’s important to mention that I don’t need to have employees or have a brick and mortar. What I’d really like is to have a great work life balance, be able to afford the care that I need and some of the things that I want, and be able to truly support elders and caregivers. I may have to get creative to get to that point, but I’m not new to building my own ladders. Creativity is one of my strengths.

If you need guidance in caring for your older loved one or thriving as an elder yourself, call AgeWell Advocacy at 803.486.5322.