Everyone Belongs

July 1, 2025

Disability Pride Month is a time to celebrate identity, resilience, and leadership within the disability community. It's also a moment to reflect honestly on the broader systems that shape access, opportunity, and belonging.

This year, that reflection feels especially urgent.

In a time when many communities are facing increased barriers—from rollbacks in rights and resources to economic pressures—disabled people are often among the first impacted and the last consulted. Access to care, employment, education, and public life remains deeply unequal. And despite decades of advocacy, ableism—both structural and everyday—still limits full participation.

This year's theme, "We Belong Here — and We're Here to Stay," speaks directly to this moment. It's a declaration of presence, pride, and persistence. It's also a reminder that inclusion can't be conditional or performative—it has to be practiced, even when it's inconvenient.

Disability inclusion is not about doing something for the disability community—it's about working with those affected to build a world that reflects the full range of human experience.

That work asks all of us to pay attention. To question norms. To design with care. To lead with equity in mind—not just in July, but every day.

This month, we honor individuals with both visible and invisible disabilities, not just with celebration, but with commitment.

Forward together. With Courage.
SD