Every July, people across the country celebrate Disability Pride Month, an annual observance that highlights the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of people with disabilities.
According to The Arc, more than 1 in 4 adults in the United States live with a disability, though most will likely experience being disabled – even temporarily – at least once in their life.
Disability Pride Month affirms that disabilities are not a deficit or condition that must be fixed for the person to be accepted, helping to promote inclusion.
The reason for Disability Pride Month’s observance in July is to commemorate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law on July 26th, 1990.
The first Disability Pride Parade was hosted in 2004 by the city of Chicago, though the first official celebration was a Disability Pride Day hosted by the city of Boston in 1990.
NOTE: The Des Plaines Public Library will be closed this June 19th in honor of Juneteenth. There will be a display on the third and fourth floors containing media that honors the holiday.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a federal American holiday that is also known as “Freedom Day,” a celebration of freeing those who were enslaved.
It honors those who were lost during slavery.
It is a national, symbolic celebration of respect for all cultures.
It demonstrates the fight for freedom for everyone, that no one is free until we are all free.
While it is important to celebrate freedom on this holiday, it is also important to understand the historical significance of this date and why we celebrate.
On this episode, Angelo, Lynne, Ariana, and Quinn talk about DPPL's 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, detailing the events the library will be hosting for kids, teens and adults alike. (Find out more information about summer reading at dppl.org/summer!) Listen to their conversation in the player below:
