Empowering Youth and Honoring All Abilities 

Disability Pride Month is more than a celebration—it’s a movement that challenges stigma and promotes visibility.

Celebrating Disability Pride Month 2025: Empowering Youth and Honoring All Abilities 

July marks Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of people living with disabilities. For the Texas Youth Action Network (TYAN), this month is an opportunity to uplift youth voices, promote leadership of all abilities, and honor the legacy of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—signed into law 35 years ago on July 26, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush, whose presidential library resides on the same campus as TYAN at Texas A&M University. 

“With today’s signing of the landmark Americans [with] Disabilities Act, every man, woman and child with a disability can now pass through once-closed doors into a bright new era of equality, freedom and independence.” 

— President George H.W. Bush, 1990 

Why Disability Pride Matters 

Disability Pride Month is more than a celebration—it’s a movement that challenges stigma and promotes visibility. It encourages people of all abilities to embrace their identities and advocate for fairness. The Disability Pride Flag, designed by Ann Magill, features a black background with five zigzag lines in various colors, symbolizing the multifariousness of the disability community and the barriers they overcome. 

 TYAN’s Commitment to Embracing All Abilities 

TYAN is proud to support youth leadership development across Texas, including empowering young people living with disabilities. We work alongside community partners who are dedicated to creating accessible, inclusive spaces where all youth can thrive. These partners include organizations like Mounting Horizons, (https://www.leaguecitytx.gov/4271/Ashley-Newell,  which provide vital services, mentorship, and advocacy for youth with disabilities. 

Follow Mounting Horizons on Facebook. 

Supporting Disability Rights at Texas Universities 

Texas A&M University is committed to creating an all-embracing environment for individuals with disabilities. Through the Department of Disability Resources, students receive tailored accommodations like assistive technologies and accessible testing. Events such as Aggie Disability Awareness and Spectrum in Aggieland promote understanding and celebrate neurodiversity across campus. These efforts, supported by the Center on Disability and Development, reflect the university’s dedication to accessibility, respect, and empowerment.  

If you or someone you know is seeking support, consider connecting with our statewide public institutions like Texas A&M, The University of Texas, Texas State University, Texas Tech University, or The University of Houston, for resources, guidance, and community programs that champion disability rights. 

Celebrate At Morgan’s Wonderland 

Join fellow Texans on July 19th at Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio—the world’s first ultra-accessible theme park—for a day of celebration, connection, and fun. This event is a fantastic opportunity for youth, families, and allies to come together and honor Disability Pride Month in a space built for everyone. 

Morgan’s Wonderland Website: https://morganswonderland.org/ 

The Texas State Independent Living Council (SILC) will be hosting an Americans with Disabilities Act: 35th Anniversary Celebration at the event center at Morgan’s Wonderland. 

Event Details: https://txsilc.org/americans-with-disabilities-act-35th-anniversary-celebration/ 

Other events across Texas: https://txsilc.org/35th-annual-ada-celebrations/

 Resources for Youth Workers and Leaders 

If you work with youth, now is the perfect time to deepen your understanding and expand your toolkit. Here are some valuable resources: 

 Call to Action 

This July, we invite you to celebrate all abilities by sharing stories, attending events, and promoting non-discriminatory practices in your community. Use the hashtags #DisabilityPride and #ADA35 to join the conversation and amplify youth voices. Whether you’re a mentor, educator, or advocate, your support helps build a stronger and more embracing Texas for all abilities. 

Here is your toolkit! 

Let’s honor the past, celebrate the present, and empower the future—together. 

Sources 

  1. Americans with Disabilities Act. (1990) Public Law 101-336. https://www.ada.gov/ 

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