By Mary Smith
The American Bar Association is proud to recognize Disability Pride Month this July in celebration of the immense resilience, creativity and contributions of individuals with disabilities. This month marks 34 years since the 1990 enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a seminal piece of civil rights legislation that fundamentally redefined the landscape of accessibility and inclusion in America. By protecting against discrimination and mandating equal opportunities in employment, public accommodations and government services, the ADA has been instrumental in shaping a more equitable society.
Disability Pride Month also challenges us to confront deep-seated prejudices that undermine the value of individuals with disabilities, while also highlighting the substantial barriers that persist towards achieving true equality. Approximately one in four Americans navigate life with a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among these, 10% grapple with invisible disabilities such as chronic pain, mental health disorders and neurological differences that can profoundly affect daily life and interactions. Additionally, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has brought challenges like long COVID into focus, emphasizing the urgent need for evolving policies and practices.
Many individuals with disabilities continue to face significant obstacles in accessing suitable employment, adequate health care and accessible housing, as well as enduring discriminatory or harmful attitudes that undervalue their capabilities and worth. These challenges are often intensified for disabled individuals who are also people of color or members of the LGBTQ+ community, facing multiple layers of discrimination.
At the American Bar Association, we are driven to change this narrative while celebrating the diverse abilities that enrich our collective community. Our Commission on Disability Rights leads the charge in advocating for accessibility and inclusion. While we focus on enhancing opportunities for disabled lawyers, our initiatives also tackle disability-related public policy and law, promoting adaptive and inclusive policies that foster full participation for all individuals with disabilities. We are committed to ensuring that everyone can engage with the legal system and society at large without hindrance to fully realize their potential.
This Disability Pride Month, we invite the legal community to celebrate the strides and contributions of disabled individuals and engage deeply with the issues they still face. Join us in championing the #BeCounted campaign, which encourages individuals to map their presence as a bold statement of pride and a call for greater awareness and amplified visibility, and to cultivate a culture of respect and understanding.
The quest for comprehensive accessibility for disabled persons extends beyond physical spaces and encompasses the need for societal shifts to fully embrace and integrate individuals with disabilities into every aspect of public and professional life. Together, we can forge a path toward a truly inclusive society where disability is recognized not as a deficit but as an integral part of human diversity.
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Mary Smith is president of the American Bar Association and is the first Native American woman in this role. She is an independent board member and former CEO of a $6 billion national healthcare organization, the Indian Health Service. She currently serves on the board of PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTCT), a global biopharmaceutical company and on the board of HAI Group, a leading member-owned insurance company for the affordable housing industry. She is also vice chair of the VENG Group, a national consulting firm.
(https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2024/07/statement-of-aba-president-re-disability-pride-month/)
The American Bar Association is proud to recognize Disability Pride Month this July in celebration of the immense resilience, creativity and contributions of individuals with disabilities. This month marks 34 years since the 1990 enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a seminal piece of civil rights legislation that fundamentally redefined the landscape of accessibility and inclusion in America. By protecting against discrimination and mandating equal opportunities in employment, public accommodations and government services, the ADA has been instrumental in shaping a more equitable society.
Disability Pride Month also challenges us to confront deep-seated prejudices that undermine the value of individuals with disabilities, while also highlighting the substantial barriers that persist towards achieving true equality. Approximately one in four Americans navigate life with a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among these, 10% grapple with invisible disabilities such as chronic pain, mental health disorders and neurological differences that can profoundly affect daily life and interactions. Additionally, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has brought challenges like long COVID into focus, emphasizing the urgent need for evolving policies and practices.
Many individuals with disabilities continue to face significant obstacles in accessing suitable employment, adequate health care and accessible housing, as well as enduring discriminatory or harmful attitudes that undervalue their capabilities and worth. These challenges are often intensified for disabled individuals who are also people of color or members of the LGBTQ+ community, facing multiple layers of discrimination.
At the American Bar Association, we are driven to change this narrative while celebrating the diverse abilities that enrich our collective community. Our Commission on Disability Rights leads the charge in advocating for accessibility and inclusion. While we focus on enhancing opportunities for disabled lawyers, our initiatives also tackle disability-related public policy and law, promoting adaptive and inclusive policies that foster full participation for all individuals with disabilities. We are committed to ensuring that everyone can engage with the legal system and society at large without hindrance to fully realize their potential.
This Disability Pride Month, we invite the legal community to celebrate the strides and contributions of disabled individuals and engage deeply with the issues they still face. Join us in championing the #BeCounted campaign, which encourages individuals to map their presence as a bold statement of pride and a call for greater awareness and amplified visibility, and to cultivate a culture of respect and understanding.
The quest for comprehensive accessibility for disabled persons extends beyond physical spaces and encompasses the need for societal shifts to fully embrace and integrate individuals with disabilities into every aspect of public and professional life. Together, we can forge a path toward a truly inclusive society where disability is recognized not as a deficit but as an integral part of human diversity.
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Mary Smith is president of the American Bar Association and is the first Native American woman in this role. She is an independent board member and former CEO of a $6 billion national healthcare organization, the Indian Health Service. She currently serves on the board of PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTCT), a global biopharmaceutical company and on the board of HAI Group, a leading member-owned insurance company for the affordable housing industry. She is also vice chair of the VENG Group, a national consulting firm.
(https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2024/07/statement-of-aba-president-re-disability-pride-month/)
