At Hope Services, we envision a world where every person experiences dignity, well-being, and belonging within a supportive and inclusive community. A world where differences are celebrated, people with disabilities are valued for who they are and the contributions they make, and everyone has the opportunity, resources, and support they need to thrive.

This July, Hope Services proudly recognizes Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate disability identity, culture, community, and the contributions of people with disabilities. It is also an opportunity to honor the advocates and leaders who have advanced disability rights and to recommit ourselves to building a more accessible and inclusive future.

This year’s theme, “The World Works Better With Us,” reflects a belief that has been at the heart of Hope Services for 74 years: people with disabilities are essential members of our communities, and our schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and society are stronger when everyone has the opportunity to participate, contribute, lead, and belong.

Growing Alongside Our Community

Hope Services began as a one-room preschool.

From that single classroom, our work has grown alongside the community we serve, expanding in scope and reach as understanding of disability, inclusion, and support has evolved. Over the years, we have witnessed tremendous progress in the programs and services available and in the opportunities open to people with disabilities.

As we celebrate how far we have come, we also recognize that there is more work ahead. Progress is not a finish line; it is an ongoing commitment we carry forward every day alongside the individuals and families we serve.

A Milestone in Disability Rights

Disability Pride Month is recognized each July in connection with the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

On July 26, 1990, 38 years after Hope Services first opened its doors, President George H.W. Bush signed the ADA into law. The landmark civil rights law prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and expanded protections across major areas of public life, including employment, government services, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications.

The ADA built upon earlier disability rights protections, including the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and was later strengthened by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008.

These milestones were made possible through decades of disability-led advocacy and activism. They transformed access and opportunity for millions of people, but Disability Pride Month also reminds us that the promise of inclusion requires continued action. Rights established in law must be reflected in the everyday experiences of people with disabilities in workplaces, schools, healthcare, transportation, and communities.

Celebrating Disability Pride

The first Disability Pride Day was held in Boston in 1990, the same year the ADA was signed. Chicago hosted the first full Disability Pride Parade in 2004, and recognition has since grown through celebrations and events across the country each July.

Today, Disability Pride Month celebrates disability identity and culture, honors disability-led leadership and activism, challenges stigma, and recognizes the contributions people with disabilities make every day.

This year’s theme, “The World Works Better With Us,” was chosen by The Arc’s National Council of Self-Advocates, a national council led by people with disabilities.

The message is both a celebration and a call for meaningful inclusion. More than one in four adults in the United States—over 70 million people—live with a disability. When people with disabilities are included, respected, supported, and empowered to lead, communities work better for everyone.

We can see the impact of disability-led advocacy and inclusive design throughout everyday life. Innovations and accessibility features such as curb cuts, closed captioning, audiobooks, and voice dictation have benefits that extend far beyond the communities for whom they were originally designed.

Building Awareness and Inclusion

Disability Pride Month is an opportunity to learn, reflect, and take action. Here are a few ways we can all contribute to more inclusive communities:

• Know the law. Accessibility and disability rights laws help protect equal access and opportunity in employment and in services provided to the public.
• Be thoughtful about language. The words we choose can reinforce stigma or communicate dignity and respect. Listen to how people describe themselves and respect individual preferences.
• Remember: “Nothing about us without us.” People with disabilities should be meaningfully included in the conversations and decisions that affect their lives.
• Understand that not all disabilities are visible. A person may have a disability that is not immediately apparent and may choose not to disclose it. Avoid making assumptions about another person’s experiences, needs, or abilities.
• Recognize that equity includes disability. Disability access, representation, and rights should be part of broader conversations about equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

For 74 years, Hope Services has worked alongside people with developmental disabilities, mental health needs, and their families. As our organization has grown and evolved, our commitment remains rooted in the belief that every person deserves the opportunity to live, learn, work, connect, and thrive as part of their community.

This Disability Pride Month, we celebrate the people who have led the movement for disability rights, recognize those continuing that work today, and reaffirm our commitment to a future built on dignity, opportunity, inclusion, and belonging.

Because The World Works Better With Us.