Some people out there wonder why or how people take pride in their Disabled identity instead of taking pride in themselves despite having a disability. I'm here to shed some light on this topic.
Disabilities should not be a source of shame, despite that being the opposite message Disabled People have been systematically taught all of their lives. Being Disabled is an integral aspect of our identities. Our status as Disabled individuals has an inseparable influence on how we experience and perceive the world. It is something we can not change about ourselves, and some of us wouldn't necessarily want to even if we could.
This is the Disability Pride Flag.
The colors on the flag symbolize the spectrum of the Disabled experience. The black background mourns the loss of Disabled People who have died due to negligence, suicide, rebellion, illness, and eugenics. The parallel stripes stand for communal solidarity, and the stripe’s colors represent different types of Disability.
Red: Physical Disabilities
Gold: Neurological and Intellectual Disabilities
White: Hidden and Undiagnosed Disabilities
Blue: Psychiatric Disabilities
Green: Sensory Disabilities
Disabled people have to cope with external and internalized ableism.
Taking pride in our Disabled identities is an act of Disability advocacy, and in itself is a critique of ableist structures. Disability Pride exists in direct defiance of ableist ideals and demands attention be brought to our community and our needs for accessibility, accommodations, awareness, advocacy, and equity. Disability Pride is about supporting the honoring and acceptance of natural human diversity.
In light of the information, it is much easier to understand why we capitalize the "D" is Disabled, and why you should too. Doing this emphasizes positive identity-first language, which is what communities of all different kinds prefer. It is language that is inclusive of our community, culture, and identity. It also conveys a greater social purpose in service of our movements.
SOURCES:
Block, Becca. “Have You Seen the New Disability Pride Flag?” RespectAbility, 15 July 2022, www.respectability.org/2022/07/disability-pride-flag.
Development, Thrive Audience. “Language Tips and Tricks in Disability for Non-Disabled People.” Thrive, 15 Jan. 2020, wewillthrive.co.uk/resources/blogs/language-tips-and-tricks-in-disability-for-non-disabled-people.
“Working Definition of Ableism - January 2022 Update.” TALILA a. LEWIS, www.talilalewis.com/blog/working-definition-of-ableism-january-2022-update.
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