The City of Pasadena has designated July as Disability Pride Month to celebrate the achievements of people with disabilities and promote inclusivity. The celebration coincides with the anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July 1990.
Disability Pride Month aims to raise awareness and recognition of the positive pride felt by people with disabilities, the largest minority group in the U.S. City officials emphasize the importance of creating a community where all residents can thrive, regardless of ability.
The city has implemented several initiatives to enhance accessibility and inclusion, including appointing an Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, offering adaptive recreation programming, and providing accessible transportation services through the Pasadena Transportation Authority and Dial-A-Ride.
Pasadena’s efforts extend to public spaces and services, too: The local library has partnered with the Library of Congress to provide Braille and audiobooks, and it also offers sensory storytime programs for children with autism and sensory disabilities.
The City also helps businesses become more accessible: Resources are available to help companies comply with Americans with Disabilities Act regulations, and the EmployABILITY Business Grant program promotes long-term employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
To symbolize its efforts, the City of Pasadena adopted the Disability Pride Flag, designed by Ann McGill in 2019 and updated for 2021. The flag features diagonal bands of muted colors on a charcoal gray background that represent victims of ableist abuse and violence.
Each stripe on the flag represents a different type of disability: red for physical disabilities, gold for neurodevelopmental disabilities, white for invisible and undiagnosed disabilities, blue for mental disabilities, and green for sensory disabilities.
The Accessibility and Disability Committee advises the City Council on issues affecting people with disabilities. Additionally, the City provides information about the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s accessibility services.
Pasadena’s efforts reflect a broader movement to create a more inclusive community as Disability Pride Month continues. The celebration was first officially recognized in 2015 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and serves as both an acknowledgement of progress made and a call to address remaining barriers.
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