Disability Pride Month, celebrated every July, is an opportunity to celebrate the history, achievements, experiences and struggles of the disability community, according to the nonprofit organization The Arc of the United’s website.
July also marks the anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark law that broke down barriers to inclusion in society. Disability Pride Month is observed each July to commemorate the anniversary of the ADA’s passage on July 26, 1990.
In celebration of Disability Pride Month, Moore Unity and the Rotary Club are teaming up to host a Disability Festival outside Moorestown Town Hall on Thursday, July 11th from 5-8pm.
The event will include food trucks, live music and outdoor lawn games that people of all abilities can participate in. Karaoke and pool games will be held on the third floor of the Township Recreation Center, while arts and crafts and quieter activities like karate and yoga will be held inside the library.
“… When the idea came about, everyone embraced it,” said Moorestown resident Nicole Ventrella, “and other groups around town want to get involved and help volunteer…It shows that it’s something that’s very authentic in a way and has just grown. It’s been very well received.”
“We hope that these events and the types of activities that we’re doing will inspire other event organizers to think about how they can incorporate consideration for people with these sensory needs into their events,” explains Karen Reiner, co-founder and president of Moore Unity.
The Moorestown Fourth of July Committee plans to create a quiet zone along the holiday parade route for people with sensory disabilities, those who use hearing aids, pets, young children and those with post-traumatic stress disorder. The zone will be from Central Avenue at Chester Avenue to Main Street, where fire trucks will not use sirens or honk their horns and musical groups will play at a lower volume.
To enjoy the grand parade, residents can enjoy a route along Main Street from Chester Avenue to Church Street at noon on the holiday. This year’s parade theme is “The Grand Old Flag,” a patriotic tribute and celebration of the nation’s colors.
“… Just putting some of these parameters in place to give people options doesn’t undermine what’s already planned,” Ventrella noted. “It just gives people a script to say, ‘I can stand here and have this opportunity, and if I need to change location, I can move somewhere else.'”
“… If handled properly, I personally think this is a win-win for everybody, because no one expects everyone to change because of a few people. But we also have to be able to include everyone in a compassionate way,” she added.
To close out Disability Pride Month, Moore Unity will be hosting a panel discussion at the Moorestown Library on Monday, July 29th at 7pm. People with a variety of disabilities, including both physical and neurological disabilities, will explain how their disabilities have affected their lives and educate others on how to be allies in support of people with various disabilities in their community.
Residents interested in volunteering or donating supplies to the Abilities Festival can visit www.mooreunity.com