Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July, the month of passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July, 1990, a comprehensive civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability.
The ADA stands as a cornerstone of legal protection for people with disabilities in the United States. It mandates equal opportunities in employment, public accommodations, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. Over the years, amendments and legal precedents have strengthened its provisions, ensuring greater accessibility and accommodation. Despite these advancements, challenges persist. Issues such as accessibility barriers, employment discrimination, and healthcare disparities continue to affect the disabled community. Disability Pride Month serves as a reminder of these ongoing struggles while highlighting the resilience and achievements of disabled individuals in overcoming them.
This month, the American Bar Association’s Commission on Disability Rights invites you to take part in the #BeCounted campaign. The #BeCounted campaign encourages lawyers with disabilities across the country to add themselves to the ABA’s U.S. map. Participation in this campaign is important because according to the Commission on Disability Rights:
Why? According to the 2021 ABA Model Diversity Survey, “[a]ttorneys with a disability are generally underreported and/or underrepresented at every level and are significantly more likely to work in the “Other Attorney” role compared to all other groups within law firms.” Also, “[f]or the most recent year, most law firms did not hire a single attorney [who] self-identified as . . . having a disability.” Furthermore, according to a 2023 report from the National Association of Law Placement (NALP), only 1.4% of law firm lawyers surveyed self-identified as having a disability. We (and NALP) believe there are more, given that one in four adults in the United States have a disability.
The American Bar Association Commission on Disability Rights contains a multitude of resources to promote the the ABA’s commitment to “justice and the rule of law for people with mental, physical and sensory disabilities, and to promote their full and equal participation in the legal profession.”
UConn Law Library features a Disability Pride book display adjacent to the circulation desk. Also, our Accessibility, Neurodiversity and Ableism collection contains works that consider issues related to disabilities in the context of the law, education, and other institutions, including neurodiversity and accessibility.
Disability Pride Month serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and the need for continued advocacy. By promoting awareness, celebrating achievements, and advocating for policy change, we can build a more inclusive society where every individual is valued and respected. The goals of Disability Pride Month should be strived for not just in July but throughout the year, fostering a culture of acceptance, empowerment, and equality for all.