July is Disability Pride Month, a time to champion people with disabilities. Read on for all our need-to-know facts, tips and events.
Welcome to Disability Pride Month 2024. Join us as we raise awareness, foster inclusivity, and advocate for the rights of all people with disabilities around the world.
At Hope and Homes for Children, we believe every child deserves a loving, family home. Yet sadly, one in three children living in orphanages have disabilities.
Whoever they are, wherever they are, every child deserves the chance to thrive. That’s why, this Disability Pride Month, we’re championing these children and their right to come back to family.
Disability Pride Month Facts & Tips
What is Disability Pride Month?
You might be wondering, ‘What is Disability Pride Month?’
It’s celebrated every July and marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) signed in 1990. This landmark legislation was a significant step towards ensuring the rights and freedoms of people with disabilities.
Now, we dedicate the month to highlighting the incredible achievements of the disabled community and standing up for their rights to equality, inclusion, and visibility.
When is Disability Pride Month?
Disability Pride Month takes place every July – a perfect time to reflect on the progress made since the ADA was enacted.
How to Observe Disability Pride Month
Wondering how to observe this year’s Disability Pride Month?
- Get engaged – There’s plenty happening this month. From flying the Disability Pride Flag to taking place in some local Disability Pride parades and events in your community, there’s always great ways to get engaged.
- Get educated – Read up on what it means to be part of the disabled community, and how you can be an ally.
- Get involved – The best way to observe Disability Pride Month is to engage in fundraising. We’re always looking out for fundraisers and volunteers on our Get Involved page. Head over to find out how you can help out this month.
No matter what you plan on doing, make sure you take some time out for reflection and research. Above all it’s a month for solidarity and celebration. Overall, it’s a month to get involved.
Disability Pride Month 2024
For Disability Pride Month 2024, a huge suite of workshops, events, and demonstrations will take place. Reach out to your local community hub to see what’s on for Disability Pride Month in the UK.
Why Disability Pride Month Matters
People with disabilities can face huge barriers in our society, as well as unfair discrimination and prejudice.
Disability Pride Month reminds us of how important the fight for inclusion and equality is. Celebrating Disability Pride Month helps us break down stereotypes, creating a society where everyone thrives. No matter who they are.
Supporting children with disabilities
This Disability Pride Month, we’re platforming our ongoing commitment to supporting children and young people with disabilities all around the world. Every child deserves a home. Every child deserves to find their way back to family.
Orphanages and children with disabilities
The UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states the right of all people (including children) with disabilities to independent-living, family life and to access the highest standard of health care, and inclusive education without discrimination.
Yet still, young people with disabilities are among the most vulnerable in society.
Did you know?
- One in three children in orphanages have disabilities.
- Without the right support, struggling parents may feel like their only option to get their children the care they need is inside an orphanage. Sadly, it’s not true.
- Orphanages can neglect children and young people with disabilities, exposing them to violence, abuse, and even trafficking.
- Young people with disabilities in orphanages don’t get the individualised support they need, depriving them of their chance to grow with their disabilities.
You can read more about how orphanages harm children and why children with disabilities need loving family homes on our website.
How are we helping?
It’s our mission to bring every child living in orphanages back to family. Including children with disabilities. We work tirelessly to dismantle orphanages and reform childcare systems globally, ensuring every child, regardless of ability, grows up in a nurturing family environment.
Our work proves that young people with disabilities always thrive when they return to their families. Young people like Divine*.
Divine’s story
Divine, born with disabilities, was placed in an orphanage because her mother, Ruwera, fell sick and couldn’t afford to care for her anymore. She prayed she’d receive the support she needed. Instead, Divine suffered for nine long years.
Thankfully, your donations helped bring Divine out of the orphanage and back to family. Now, she’s happy, healthy and surrounded by family.
“In years to come, I’ll become a journalist or a lawyer. I want to advocate for people living through injustice, like people with disabilities.”
Divine
Read Divine’s full story here.
How You Can Make a Difference
- Read their stories: Learn more about what life for children living with disabilities. Children like Uwase* and Ivan*.
- Spread the word: Share information on social media and in your community. Use the hashtag #DisabilityPrideMonth to join the conversation.
- Donate today: Your contributions help us continue our vital work in reuniting children with disabilities with their families. Every donation makes a significant impact.
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Thanks to your support, we’re making waves for children with disabilities, all around the world.