Escape

05 Jul NYSCASA Honors Disability Pride Month

Posted at 22:04h in news, Statements by

This month, NYSCASA joins disabled community members in honoring Disability Pride Month, which has been celebrated in July since 1990. Disability Pride Month commemorates the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990.

Disability pride challenges the dominant idea that disability is inherently negative. Disability pride celebrates people with disabilities and chronic illnesses; it means honoring disability as a component of human diversity. It is also an act of reclaiming visibility in public, because people with disabilities have historically been excluded from public spaces due to systemic ableism—including stigma, barriers to access, criminalization, and violence.

People with disabilities are 2 to 3 times more likely to experience violent victimization than people without disabilities. Rates of victimization are higher for people with disabilities who are Black, Indigenous, or other people of color, LGBTQIA2S+, and people of marginalized genders. People with disabilities have a heightened risk of experiencing violence due to ableism, racism, isolation, and the systemic devaluation of people with disabilities in our society. These factors create barriers to accessing help that make survivors with disabilities more vulnerable to further abuse and violence. Non-disabled people can also develop disabilities or chronic illnesses as a result of abuse and violence.

Throughout the month of July, NYSCASA will be sharing information and resources about disability justice, disability pride, and strategies to prevent and respond to violence against people with disabilities on our social media platforms.

This month, and every month, NYSCASA proudly supports our disabled community members. If you have experienced sexual abuse, harassment, or assault, we believe you and you are not alone.

Resources for Survivors with Disabilities:

Resources for Allies and Advocates:

Resources for Further Learning: