About Disability Independence Day
National Disability Independence Day is recognized annually on July 26, commemorating the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) being signed into law in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush, prohibiting discrimination against those with disabilities.
The month of July is also recognized as Disability Pride Month, which aims to highlight disabled ways of being, knowing, and thriving in the past, present, and future. Disability Pride Month serves as an opportunity for organizations to celebrate disability culture, draw attention to the expertise and lived experience of disabled individuals, raise awareness around ableism – intentional or unintentional discrimination or prejudice against disabled people - and engage non-disabled individuals in thoughtful and meaningful dialogue around disability and ableism.
In the United States, currently one in four people live with some form of disability; around the world, one billion people do. Disability impacts all of us at some point in our lives. You might have a disability or know someone that has a disability, or you or someone you know may gain a disability later in life. Essentially, disability is a part of all of our experiences. Let’s do our part in improving the way to full equity and access, and commit to building a more authentic and inclusive society.
Note: The flag displayed at the top of the article is the Disability Pride Flag. You can read about the flag's design on our Disability Pride page.
More to Celebrate: Digital Accessibility is now a legal requirement of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act
On April 8, 2024, the Department of Justice signed a final rule under Title II of the ADA to ensure accessibility of web content and mobile applications for people with disabilities. This rule clarifies the obligations of state and local governments, which includes public universities, to make their websites and mobile applications accessible in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1, Level AA. Read more about the ruling in the DOJ press release and in the UMass President’s Office General Counsel Legal Alert.
“This rule is a long-awaited recognition that to achieve equal participation in society, as promised by the Americans with Disabilities Act, we must address digital discrimination and inaccessibility,” remarked Maria Town, American Association of People with Disabilities President and CEO. “The improvements in the final regulation are a testament to the immense power of the disability community, and I am hopeful about the immense benefits of this rulemaking.” (Source: AAPD Praises Department of Justice For Finalizing Title II Web Accessibility Rule).
Join the American Association of People with Disabilities for their annual ADA Celebration
Join the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) for a virtual ADA Celebration on Thursday, July 25, 2024 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm to recognize the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reflect on the accomplishments of the community, and look towards a future where the goals of the ADA are fully realized. Virtual attendees will receive streaming links for ASL, audio description, and captioning closer to the event date.
Register to attend the ADA Celebration
Start your Digital Accessibility Journey
Digital accessibility is a critical component of disability inclusion. If you are new to digital accessibility, we recommend reviewing the President’s Office Digital Accessibility Standards and Resources. Start with one topic, such as creating accessible emails, and work on learning one topic at a time.
Note: This communication uses both identity-first (disabled person) and person-first language (person with a disability) to align with the APA Style Guide on Disability.
Communication developed by Jacob Sturtz.