The Global Impact of Disability Pride Month

Around the world, and especially in low-income countries like Kenya, most children with disabilities face daily stigma and discrimination. Their communities and their own families often believe their disabilities are a result of demons, witchcraft, or punishments from God. This is true for many of the children Kupenda supports, including Furaha Sulubu, a 14-year-old boy who is hearing impaired. Furaha’s family believes that his disability is the result of demons. As a result, they give him very little attention. Many in Furaha’s community also view him with pity.

Kupenda’s mission is to reverse these harmful stigmas and replace them with more positive, informed views of people living with disabilities. You can play a similar role in dismantling ableist views in your own community! Disability Pride Month occurs every year in July. This celebration offers an opportunity for people to speak out against harmful discrimination and to be vocal in their support of individuals with disabilities in their own community.

The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in July 1990, prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities. The first Disability Pride Day was held in Boston, Massachusetts in 1990 in celebration of the passage of this landmark law. In 2015, New York Mayor Mill de Blasio declared July Disability Pride Month. While Disability Pride Month has not been nationally recognized, events are held throughout the country throughout the month of July to celebrate. As supporters of Kupenda, here are a few ways that you can show support for Disability Pride Month:

• Support disabled-owned businesses
• Be aware of discrimination and inaccessibility in your environment
• Challenge negative attitudes about individuals with disabilities
• Call out stigmatizing definitions and representations of disabled people
• Improve the life of a child with disabilities through Kupenda’s child sponsorship program

You never know who may benefit from your acts of support this Disability Pride Month. It may be a friend, a neighbor, a coworker, or it may be a child half-way across the world, like Furaha.

Want to keep updated on Kupenda’s work?

You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

And please also sign up for our monthly newsletter and updates here. 

If you’re interested in supporting one of the many children we serve, head over to our sponsorship page to learn about how you can make a difference for just $30 / month.

You can also help children with disabilities stay safe and healthy during COVID-19 by donating here.