Disability Pride Month: 15 Ways to Be Kind

On July 27, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, marking a new chapter in accessibility and disability advocacy. To honor this important milestone, Disability Pride Month is observed every July to celebrate the strength, diversity, and achievements of the disabled community—all while highlighting aspects of society that still need accessible change.

You can be part of this change—and kindness is the key to getting started. With the help of Dale Verchick (she/her), a Public Policy Manager with nonprofit organization Disability Rights PA, and Chloe Benson (she/her), a DEIB Specialist at Random Acts, we will show you plenty of simple but effective ways to make kindness part of your disability advocacy journey.

15 Ways to Be a Disability Advocate

1. Check to see what language a disabled individual prefers. “Identity-first language” (e.g., I am an Autistic Individual) and “person-first language” (e.g., I am a person with Autism) are common language models used within the disability community. Still, there is a lot of debate on which one is best.  “In all cases, always ask someone how they would like to be identified before making an assumption,” Chloe affirms.
   • Tip: Remember—there is no “right” or “wrong” option when it comes to identity-first and person-first language. The only “right” option is what a particular individual prefers!
2. Steer clear of potentially hurtful language like “differently abled.” “Differently abled” can seem like a safe and polite language choice, but it is not typically preferred by the disabled community. “While the term originated as a well-meaning and positive language change to describe people with disabilities, it shifts the focus away from real-world limitations to focus on an individual’s ability,” Chloe explains. “Many people are proud to call themselves ‘disabled people’ because it is a core part of their identity and culture.”
   • Chloe’s Tip: Avoid using outdated or harmful terms like ‘handicapped’ or ‘suffers from,’ too.
3. Compliment someone’s skills and achievements, not what they have overcome. Members of the disabled community are not looking to be called “brave” or “inspirational” purely because of the disability they live with. “Remember that people with disabilities are equals and want to be complimented for their achievements like you would for anyone,” Chloe explains. “They want to be noticed for their skills and effort—not just for existing.”
   • Tip: Like any skill, complimenting others takes practice, and that is totally okay! The more heartwarming compliments you hand out—like praising a friend’s immaculate music taste or admiring a classmate’s cool, ironic T-shirt—the sooner it will become a habit.
4. Practice respectful boundaries with mobility devices. “As a best practice, never touch someone’s mobility device without permission,” Chloe advises. “This includes wheelchairs, canes, and service dogs.”
   • Tip: Service animals are definitely the cutest members of the workforce, but they are always doing a super important job—keeping their handler safe. Keep a careful distance so the animal can do the best job it possibly can, and be sure to ask permission from their handler before making contact.
5. Always ask before offering assistance. It is really great that you are looking for opportunities to lend a hand—just bear in mind that your definition of “needing assistance” may be different from a disabled individual’s. “Sometimes, a person might want to do something on their own even if it takes more time,” Dale says. “Being patient and listening are important: our time is not their time. It is all about showing that this individual belongs where you are.”
   • Tip: Always approach a disabled individual with a question rather than a statement. “May I help you?” or “How can I help you?” offer a lot more autonomy than a statement like “Let me help you.”
6. Treat missteps as opportunities to learn. Being an ally is not a “once and done” role—it is a commitment to supporting, uplifting, and advocating for the disabled community to the best of your ability. If you say the wrong thing or make an incorrect assumption, give yourself grace and ask for feedback on how you can do better in the future.
   • Dale’s Tip: The same idea applies if you see a friend or loved one choosing the wrong words or making incorrect assumptions. “We want to see the best in everyone,” Dale advises. “If someone acts improperly, take the moment to educate them on what they can say and do in the future.”
7. Anchor your allyship in observation. “Allies are encouraged to take part in Disability Pride celebrations. Celebrating the month helps break down stigmas, challenges ableism, and helps create a more inclusive and kinder community,” Chloe affirms. “Use Disability Pride Month as an opportunity to listen, learn, and identify ways to support the disability community.”
   • Chloe’s Tip: “Try reading books or watching documentaries from disabled creators and activists. Think about ways that you can increase accessibility in your workplace, school, or community, and volunteer for local nonprofits run by and for people with disabilities.”
8. Challenge your assumptions on what disability “looks” like. “In the United States alone, roughly 1 in 4 adults are disabled,” says Dale. “It goes to show that anyone you meet can have a disability.” In fact, plenty of disabilities do not require mobility aids or service animals, like autism, ADHD, diabetes, or fibromyalgia syndrome.¹1
   • Chloe’s Tip: “Avoid making assumptions about someone’s abilities. If you’re unsure whether someone needs support or accommodation, it is more respectful to ask about their needs rather than their diagnosis. Kindness and respect should always guide the conversation.”
9. Share and repost content created by the disabled community. Making digital space for the disability community is one of the kindest things a person can do, especially during Disability Pride Month. “It is important to boost disabled voices,” Dale agrees. “Share posts from disability pride creators, and make sure you are crediting their ideas publicly.”
   • Tip: The next time you make a social media post related to Disability Pride Month, take a second to repost some content made by disabled creators. Think of your platform as a spotlight—you want members of the disabled community to get most of your stage time!
10. Make your social media content accessible to people with disabilities. “Try to make online content available to blind or deaf users,” Dale suggests. “Using alt text to describe images and taking time to proofread auto-generated captions for videos can make a big difference.”
    • Tip: Take a quick look at your social media content before hitting “post.” Are there any ways to boost accessibility? Check out Section508.gov’s handy guide for optimizing posts on platforms like X, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
11. Immerse yourself in media that discusses disability-related topics. Education, kindness, and advocacy all go hand-in-hand. “Learn more about ableism and accessibility by following disabled activists and creators online,” Chloe suggests. “Read books, listen to podcasts, or watch movies that center around people with disabilities.”
    • Tip: Dive into the #DisabilityPrideMonth hashtag on social media to connect with a variety of disability spaces.
12. Participate in local Disability Pride Month celebrations. “Show your solidarity by celebrating with community pride parades, art shows, and storytelling events that are hosted by individuals with disabilities,” Dale suggests. Do a quick online search to see if there are any Disability Pride-related events in your town; if not, widen your scope a bit and see if any nearby cities are hosting events.
    • Tip: Depending on where you live, there may not be a Disability Pride event in your area. That is okay—online support groups and social media spaces are still great ways to stay plugged in with the movement.
13. Prioritize accessibility in your event planning. “If you aren’t sure where to start, ask your event attendees if they are in need of any accommodations,” Chloe advises. “Often, this simple gesture is meaningful to individuals and will help you identify if any additional support or resources are needed.”
    • Dale’s Tip: “Look for opportunities to accommodate for a variety of disabilities in small, meaningful ways. For people with mobility disabilities, make sure that all aisles are wide enough to accommodate wheelchair users; for people with sensory disabilities, set aside a quiet, calm place where an individual can decompress during a busy event.”
14. Advocate for accessibility with your employer. Do you think your workplace could go the extra mile in accommodating employees with disabilities? Meet with your employer to let them know what you are not satisfied with and offer any ideas you have for a more accessible workplace. “Access is a right, not a luxury line item,” Dale affirms. “Training and educating staff on disability etiquette is important, as well as making sure there is room for ongoing feedback. Communication is key!”
    • Tip: See if your workplace has a Human Resources representative you can speak with. HR’s primary job is promoting a healthy and accessible environment for all employees, regardless of disability.
15. Encourage your community leaders to promote accessible changes. If you notice any accessibility barriers in your neighborhood, let someone know. “Your leaders can only advocate for what they know and hear,” says Dale. “If you are disabled or have a loved one with a disability, share your stories. These leaders often have the best intentions, but some are not educated enough on disability-related issues.”
    • Tip: Be on the lookout for opportunities to make meaningful connections in your community. Attending community-wide meetings, joining disability advocacy groups, and contacting local politicians can all be powerful ways to make your voice heard.

Disability Advocacy Ideas : RA Staff & Beyond

How can you make kindness and disability advocacy a part of your life? Here are a few thoughts and ideas to help you get started:

• “Take time to listen and get rid of any preconceived notions you may have. What is this person saying? Let me learn from this: how does that change me and give me a new perspective? I think we have to unlearn all the stuff that we put in front of who we genuinely are—the curiosity that is in all of us, the part of us that is not trying to watch ourselves from the outside and check if we are doing the right thing.” – Rachel Miner, RA Executive Director
• “We all say ‘I’m fine’ as an automatic response to the ‘How are you?’ greeting. But the biggest act of kindness is someone replying with, ‘No, really, how are you feeling?’ They have not only remembered that I struggle, but gotten over their distaste of talking about struggling to really show concern. This only happens a couple of times a year, but I remember it forever.” – RA Staff Member
• “A blind woman came into a store at the same time I was leaving. She was asking if anyone could help her because she needed to make a return and couldn’t find the line. I took a moment to help her get where she needed to go.” – Jae Zambada, RA Grant Writer
• “In my classroom, I provide a variety of seating options and make sure there is ease of access to all resources—things like adding captions on videos and transcripts for recordings, being aware of sensory needs, or allowing people to make the accommodations they need to be successful.” – Jamie Naragon, RA Outreach Manager
• “My 6-year-old daughter wears a prosthetic, and sometimes folks will come up to her and say things like ‘Oh, you poor thing’ or ‘What happened?’ I do not confront them, but I will explain how she was born that way and that she can do all the things another child can do, like horseback riding, dancing, rock climbing, and gymnastics.” – Dale Verchick, Public Policy Manager with Disability Rights PA
• “As a CODA (Child of a Deaf Adult), I have always enjoyed reading books and watching movies about the Deaf community. Some of my favorites are the book True Biz by Sara Novic and the movie CODA (2021).” – Chloe Benson, RA DEIB Specialist
• “Risk being wrong. I risk being wrong because even if I am wrong, I will learn how to be better. When I am afraid of being wrong, I am doing it for my ego. When I want to make change, the fear is worth it. Being wrong is worth it.” – Kim Rhodes, Guest Speaker at RA’s 2024 Empathy Expo

Disability Pride Month FAQs

How long has Disability Pride Month been around?

“Disability Pride Month began in 1990, the same year that the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law,” Chloe explains. “It is celebrated in July each year to honor the history, achievements, and struggles of the disability community.” July 2025 marks the 35th official Disability Pride Month—though it is by no means limited to the USA and its legislation. Disability Pride Month gives a platform to all members of the global disability community.

Is there a Disability Pride flag?

• Red: Physical disabilities
• Yellow: Neurodiversity
• White: Hidden and undiagnosed disabilities
• Blue: Psychiatric disabilities
• Green: Sensory disabilities²

The original Disability Pride flag featured brighter stripes that moved in sharp zigzags, but this design was adjusted to its current version for an easier, more accessible viewing experience. Both versions of the flag were created by Ann Magill, a devoted member and advocate of the disability community.³

How is Disability Pride Month different from the Pride Month celebrated in June?

LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, commonly known just as “Pride Month,” is dedicated to celebrating, empowering, and advocating for queer communities around the world. It is observed each June in tribute to the Stonewall Uprising, a historical feat of resistance against homophobia in 1969.⁴

Disability Pride Month is dedicated solely to the disabled community—it shines a light on disability advocacy, while Pride Month platforms the queer community.

Ready to start your kindness journey?

We want to help! Random Acts provides up to $499 of funding for your kindness idea, no matter where you live. Visit our Acts page to learn how you can request money to pull off an amazing act of kindness in your community. 

Need a little inspiration? Follow us on X, Instagram, and Facebook to see the latest and greatest acts of kindness that we are funding.

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