Disability is a part of human diversity, and something that nearly all of us will experience at some point in our lives. During the month of July, disabled people and their allies celebrate Disability Pride. It coincides with the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) passed on July 26, 1990. The ADA was a landmark legislation that broke down barriers to inclusion in society for people with disabilities. Barriers still exist, which is why we honor every kind of disability, the people who identify with them, and the wide range of supports they need to thrive.

Here, we’re highlighting some notable and educational resources about disability culture, rights and justice. Join us as we read, watch, listen, and act towards making our communities a more equitable, safe, and inclusive space for everyone.

READ

• Shelterforce’s Under the Lens series on Disability Housing and Justice: A set of articles encouraging houser to think “beyond the ramp” when designing for disability access
• Contento, a new restaurant in New York City, was designed both by and for people with disabilities
• Demystifying Disability by Emily Ladau: A super approachable book about talking about disability

WATCH

• A news segment about the historic 504 sit-ins that happened in 1977 right here in San Francisco
• In a July 2022 performance of Shakespeare’s tragedy Richard III, The Public Theater chose to stage a show that truly centered inclusivity and diversity. Here is a behind-the-scenes discussion of how director Robert O’Hara prioritized diversity and inclusion in this staging of Richard III.
• Watch American Sign Language interpreter Holly Maniatty sign at rapid speed at an Enimem concert

LISTEN

• No Barriers podcast episode with Haben Girma, the first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, who advocates for equal opportunities for people with disabilities.
  • Check out Haben Girma’s bestselling book!
• Check out a Spotify playlist curated by Aorta, to inspire creating deeper relational connection and softening our relationship to our bodies
• How voters with disabilities are being blocked from the ballot

ACT

• Add disability representation into your marketing materials! Noticing a lack of stock photos of people with disabilities the US Consumer Product Safety Commission published a set of open source, free stock photos.
• Think about disability access while creating emergency response toolkits for the communities you design and develop. Check out The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies for ideas.
• Support the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired by attending their 8/19 gala or making a donation as they raise funds to repair their Enchanted Hills camp, which for over 70 years provided thousands of blind, low vision, deaf-blind, sighted, and all campers, friends, and guests with an amazing escape into nature, which was damaged by fire in 2017.
• Contact the Ed Roberts Campus, a nonprofit corporation formed by disability organizations dedicated to the Independent Living Movement of People with Disabilities, about donating or volunteering at the various collaborating organizations that are housed at the fully accessible Campus.
• Learn about the VITAL Act.

Thank you to Caroline Bas and Nicole Franklin for curating this list!