News at UI Health

In July, the United States celebrates Disability Pride Month, a time to honor and recognize the contributions and accomplishments of people with disabilities. This month is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity and strength of the disability community and to raise awareness about the challenges and barriers that people with disabilities still face.

Chicago has a long history of celebrating Disability Pride. The first Chicago Disability Pride Parade was held in 2003 and attended by 1,500 people. Chicago is the only major city that has consistently honored the holiday with a grand marshal and a theme each July (apart from 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.) Disability Pride Month was established nationally in 2015 by disability rights activists to commemorate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark civil rights law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life.

The ADA has made significant progress in improving access and inclusion for people with disabilities, but much work still needs to be done. Throughout the month, disability advocates and organizations will hold events and activities to promote disability pride and awareness. These events include art shows, film screenings, panel discussions, and parades. The goal is to create a space where people with disabilities can come together to celebrate their identities and promote disability rights and inclusion. 

Disability Pride Month is an important time to recognize the contributions of people with disabilities and to raise awareness about the work that still needs to be done to achieve full inclusion and equality for all. As we celebrate this month, let us remember that people with disabilities are a vital part of our communities and that their voices and stories deserve to be heard and valued. 

This month, UI Health is honored to share a new episode of the Office of Diversity and Community Health Equity Podcast discussing living with disabilities in the workplace. The episode features Dr. Kristi L. Kirschner and Anthony Heard, Director of Care Management, talking about the history of the ADA, their individual experiences with disabilities, and insights on what we can all do to recognize our biases and destigmatize living with disabilities. You can listen here: https://youtu.be/ztKTd5noBbk