Disability Pride Month: What is it and why does it matter?

Disability Pride Month was founded in 1990 in the US and has evolved to be a four-week celebration in July for people in the disabled community to celebrate themselves, recognise the barriers they face and to increase awareness in the wider world.

First celebrated in the UK in 2015, events are now held throughout the country. It provides a focus for disabled people to come together and celebrate, as well as fostering conversations on how people can be better allies.

Like LGBTQ+ Pride Month, there is a corresponding flag. Created by Ann Magill in 2019 and redesigned in 2021, it was created to include all six standard international flag colours to signify that the disability community is wide-reaching.

Statistics from the World Health Organisation show that one in six people around the world have a significant disability. Figures for the legal profession remain unreliable – not least because many people do not feel secure to share given the culture of their workplaces.

Within the workplace and in society generally, individuals face negative attitudes, microaggressions, inaccessible surroundings and other barriers.

Others often fail to appreciate these and how we all have a role in removing them.

Experience

We spoke to members of our Disabled Solicitors Network Committee about their experience, identity and why they’re proud to be disabled.

Reena Parmar, chair of the committee, said: 'This month is an opportunity to raise awareness around disability; to amplify the voices of disabled people; and to celebrate disability in all its shapes and forms.

'I now embrace my disability and I am proud of it, because it changed me from the inside out. I am a kinder, more empathetic person for having gone through the difficult times that I experienced with the onset of my disability. While disability has taken certain things away from me, it has in turn given me meaningful purpose. I have been able to use my experiences as a force for good, by representing, supporting and advocating for other disabled people within the profession.'

Hannah Clifford, a member of the committee, added: 'I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called Rheumatoid Arthritis when I was 15 years old. At that time, I found it really difficult to understand. I thought my life would be changed forever and it felt like I was grieving for the life I thought I had lost. It has been almost 15 years since my diagnosis, and I cannot believe I ever felt that way.

'Yes, I have bad days, but there is no shame in my disability. Having this condition has made me a strong and compassionate person and truly has shaped me into the person that I am today. For anyone who may be struggling with a diagnosis or is having a difficult time, I want you to know that there is hope and that there is a community of like-minded people who are here to support you.'

Placida Ojinnaka, a member of the committee, said: 'For me, disability pride is acceptance, acknowledgement and honouring of my individuality and recognition that disability is naturally part of human diversity as well as challenging social and disability injustices in all aspects.'

Ryan Kelly, a member of the committee, added: 'This month is about raising awareness of the different types of disability and helping people to feel comfortable with and own their disability. Having a disability isn’t something to be ashamed of or hidden – we’re all different, we all have our challenges and we should embrace and understand them. Be inquisitive, he helpful, be supportive and let’s make the world a more inclusive place.'

What the profession can do

We urge the profession to get involved with Disability Pride Month. They can do so by using the flag (as they do with LGBTQ+ Pride Month), organising events and ensuring they have disabled people as speakers.

Historically, the Law Society has focused on Disability History Month. This year we have decided to raise awareness of Disability Pride Month. We have been proactive in offering to speak at Disability Pride events and will continue to do so throughout the year.

We would welcome a greater acknowledgement of this month and why it matters to the profession. Disability inclusion is something we should practise as a profession every day, not just on dates that inclusion takes place.

Throughout the year we support the profession with practical guidance to address barriers in the workplace.

I look forward to continuing to work with my disabled colleagues and allies to ensure we can be proud to have a profession which is inclusive, as well as diverse.

Nick Emmerson is president of the Law Society of England and Wales