Embracing Disability Pride Month: Celebrating Community and Ongoing Advocacy 

We continue celebrating Disability Pride Month! In this article, Innovation Hub Blog Editor Maribeth reflects on her experiences meeting with Nicole Shi from the Innovation Hub (iHub), visiting Tangled Arts & Disability Gallery, and attending the Toronto Disability Pride March. Lastly, Maribeth shares some educational resources and ways to get involved with the local disability community. 

Written by Maribeth Manalaysay Tabanera, Blog Writer and Content Creator, Master of Education in Social Justice Education

---

Before writing this article, my knowledge about Disability Pride Month was limited to it being celebrated in July. This project was also the first time the iHub blog would feature Disability Pride Month, so I knew it would be important for me to engage with my iHub team members and the broader Toronto community. My first interview for this article was with my iHub colleague Nicole Shi, the Research Lead for the Engagement & Belonging for Students with Disabilities team. Nicole shared that the team’s research has found that post-secondary institutions in North America are beginning to establish Disability Cultural Centers. Grinnell College and the University of Iowa are two schools that have newly established Disability Cultural Centers on their campuses (Grinnell College, 2023; Wagner, 2023).

I began to wonder, what could a Disability Cultural Center look like at U of T?  What are people in the Toronto disability community already doing successfully to celebrate their achievements while also continuing to challenge the status quo?

Envision An Accessible Future at Bestie Mart

As an educator and artist, I would love to see the potential U of T Disability Cultural Centre space include art studios and a gallery for U of T and international artists with disabilities to do residencies and mentorship. This idea led me to visit Tangled Art + Disability at 401 Richmond St W, a non-profit organization that supports disabled artists and promotes Disability Arts in Canada. The exhibition on display when I visited was “Bestie Mart” by Cleopatria Peterson. This exhibit uses humour to explore themes like printmaking, accessibility, and consumer goods. Peterson imagines a supermarket where people can access essential items like gender-affirming hormones, reparations, and safety products at affordable prices. 

When I walked through the gallery doors, I was greeted by a video installation of a person welcoming me in American Sign Language (ASL) to “Bestie Mart.” It reminded me of how I wished ASL was available more widely. Over the past few years, I have noticed an increase in ASL interpreters being included at concerts, workshops, and in the news. Peterson prompts visitors of Bestie Mart with the following question: “What if we could simply go to the store and obtain the things we need without experiencing systemic barriers, financial and otherwise?” My grand hope for the future is that ASL interpretation and all accommodations for disabilities would be available everywhere, without people having to disclose their need for it. 

Toronto Disability Pride March 2024

On Saturday, July 13th, I met up with Ness from iHub to attend the 13th Annual Toronto Disability Pride March (TDPM). The event began with a welcoming address from the TDPM organizers, who explained their definition of abolition. This included abolishing the police system, the prison industrial complex, and jail-like affordable housing. They also introduced the new march route, which took us west on Wellesley St. W, south on Yonge St., west on Dundas, and ended at Grange Park. During the speeches, an organizer from Hamilton highlighted the nonfunctional power outlets on Metrolinx trains, which are crucial for electronic wheelchair users.

As I walked and chanted with the TDPM through downtown Toronto, I noticed a range of reactions from onlookers. Lots of people smiled and honked their horns in support, while others looked on blankly, and a few even booed and laughed. It was disheartening to witness these negative reactions, but I was also inspired by the disability community and their allies taking up space, speaking their truths, and fighting for what they deserve. We finished the march with some snacks and performances at Grange Park and said our goodbyes at 4:30 PM.

TDPM Fundraising remains vital for the march’s continued success, and they are now accepting donations via e-transfer to torontodisabilitypride@gmail.com. I encourage everyone to attend the Toronto Disability Pride March next year and/or if it’s within your financial capacity to donate to their group. After visiting Tangled Arts + Disability, attending the Toronto Disability Pride March, and writing this article, it is clear to me that there is much work to be done before we achieve disability justice.

Beyond Disability Pride Month

We are all responsible in making this world a more inclusive place, which includes unlearning ableism and changing our behaviours. So how can we keep celebrating disability pride 365 days a year? While July is an opportunity to celebrate Disability history and community, the progress made during this month should be sustained year-round and beyond. This involves taking part in Disability events, supporting businesses owned by Disabled individuals, and connecting with Disability organizations and spaces. Every action, no matter how small, plays a role in fostering a more inclusive and accepting culture.

Here are some practical ways to stay involved with Disability Pride beyond July:

1. Attend Local Disability Events: Seek out events in your community that celebrate Disability culture and advocacy.

• For example: Toronto Disability Pride March (TDPM) An annual event since October 2011, they speak out against ableism and oppression faced by Toronto’s Disability community. 

2. Disability Organizations: Donate to or volunteer with organizations that work tirelessly to support the Disability community. Your time and resources can make a significant impact on the lives of many. For example:

• Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) is a community-based resource organization run by people with disabilities for people with disabilities. 
• Inclusion Canada is a national federation of 13 provincial/territorial member organizations and over 300 local associations working to advance the full inclusion and human rights of people with an intellectual disability and their families. 
• Disability Justice Network of Ontario aims to build a just and accessible Ontario, wherein people with disabilities:
  • Have personal and political agency 
  • Can thrive and foster community 
  • Build the power, capacity, and skills needed to hold people, communities, and institutions responsible for the spaces they create 
• The Disability Collective is the only fully disability-led performing arts organization in Toronto. Dedicated to celebrating and showcasing work created solely by disabled artists, TDC strives to de-stigmatize disability and challenge perceptions of disability by providing disabled artists with paid opportunities to share their work.

3. Educate Yourself: Watch films, read books, and consume media that highlight Disability+ stories and perspectives and are created by disability community members. This not only broadens your understanding but also helps to normalize these narratives in mainstream culture. For example:

Documentaries by filmmakers with disabilities: 

• Brashear, R. (Director). (2013). Fixed: The Science/Fiction of Human Enhancement [Film]. Making Change Media.
  • This documentary examines the ethical implications of emerging technologies that promise to enhance human capabilities, featuring perspectives from people with disabilities.
• DaSilva, J. (Director). (2013). When I Walk [Film]. AXS Lab. 
  • This personal documentary chronicles DaSilva’s life after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, providing an intimate look at the challenges and triumphs he faces.
• Elliott, A. (Director). (2007). Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy [Film]. Welcome Change Productions.
  • This documentary tells the story of the unique and powerful bond between two women with disabilities, Diana Braun and Kathy Conour, as they advocate for independent living.
• LeBrecht, J., & Newnham, N. (Directors). (2020). Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution [Film]. Higher Ground Productions, Netflix.
  • This documentary explores the origins of the disability rights movement in the United States through the lens of a summer camp for disabled teens in the early 1970s.
• Rooy, R. (Director), & Savarese, D. (Writer). (2017). Deej [Film]. Rooy Media LLC.
  • This film follows DJ’s journey as he navigates high school and college while advocating for disability rights and inclusive education.

Books written by authors with disabilities:

• Brown, K. (2019). The pretty one: On life, pop culture, disability, and other reasons to fall in love with me. Atria Books.
  • Keah Brown shares her experiences as a Black disabled woman, discussing topics such as self-love, pop culture, and disability.
• Girma, H. (2019). Haben: The Deafblind woman who conquered Harvard Law. Twelve. 
  • In this memoir, Haben Girma recounts her journey as a Deafblind woman who overcame numerous challenges to become a successful lawyer and advocate. 
• Kapp, S. K. (Ed.). (2020). Autistic community and the neurodiversity movement: Stories from the frontline. Palgrave Macmillan. 
  • This anthology includes essays by autistic authors discussing the neurodiversity movement and their experiences within the autistic community. 
• Lehrer, R. (2020). Golem girl: A memoir. One World. 
  • Riva Lehrer, an artist with spina bifida, writes about her life, her art, and the intersection of disability and creativity. 
• Leduc, A. (2020). Disfigured: On fairy tales, disability, and making space. Coach House Books. 
  • Amanda Leduc examines how fairy tales shape our perceptions of disability and advocates for more inclusive storytelling. 
• Piepzna-Samarasinha, L. L. (2018). Care work: Dreaming disability justice. Arsenal Pulp Press. 
  • This collection of essays explores the concept of disability justice and the importance of care work in the disability community.  
• Taussig, R. (2020). Sitting pretty: The view from my ordinary resilient disabled body. HarperOne. 
  • Rebekah Taussig shares personal essays about living with a disability, addressing themes such as accessibility, body image, and resilience.  
• Wong, A. (Ed.). (2020). Disability visibility: First-person stories from the twenty-first century. Vintage. 
  • This anthology features essays by various disabled writers, offering a wide range of perspectives and experiences. 

4. Challenge Norms, Advocate, and Spread Awareness: Raise your voice to oppose discriminatory practices and policies. Promote inclusive policies within your workplace, school, and community. Keep in mind that a society that values diversity and inclusivity benefits everyone. 

• Disability Justice 101 Organizing Series is an educational program designed by the Youth Action Council. The series consists of different educational topics that centred around disability justice. This program will prioritize those who identify as disabled, LGBTQSIA+, Black, Indigenous, racialized, and youth ages 15-29. 

5. Create Safe Spaces: In any setting—home, workplace, or social circles—endeavor to create spaces where everyone feels safe and accepted. Use inclusive language or get involved in support groups. For example:  

• University of Toronto Accessibility Awareness Club Host monthly discussions about disability issues in an educational and safe environment for students to share experiences and form connections with the disability community. They also facilitate conversations of accessibility between the student body and various branches of Student Life and the University and offer a disability perspective on several projects.   

If you or someone you know identifies as a member of the disability community and needs support:  

• University of Toronto: Accessibility Services Their team assists in navigating disability-related barriers to your academic success at U of T for your on-going or temporary disability. They provide services and supports for learning, problem solving and inclusion. 
• City of Toronto Services for People with Disabilities As part of its commitment to accessibility, the City offers accessible programming and disability-related support across many areas, including personal, financial, home support and recreation. 
• Easter Seals’ Family Information Resource Disability Support Organizations 
• Toronto Central Healthline Advocacy and Social Action for People with Disabilities – Toronto Central 

References

ASUO AI Labs. (n.d.). Image Accessibility. Streamlit. Retrieved 2024, July 05, from https://asuo-ai-labs.streamlit.app/Image_Accessibility 

Grinnell College. (2023, May 2). Building identity & culture around disability. Grinnell College. https://www.grinnell.edu/news/building-identity-culture-around-disability 

Tabanera, M. (2024). [Bestie Mart at Tangled Art + Disability]. 

Tabanera, M. (2024). [Toronto Disability Pride March 2024 speeches]. 

Wagner, A. (2023, May 4). University of Iowa disability cultural space undergoing planning for implementation. The Daily Iowan. https://dailyiowan.com/2023/05/04/university-of-iowa-disability-cultural-space-undergoing-planning-for-implementation/