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Every year in July, Disability Pride Month celebrates persons who experience disability, their identities and culture, and their positive contributions to society. The event aims to change the way people think about disability. It promotes all types of disability as a natural part of human diversity.
Disability Pride Month has been celebrated in the United States since July 1990 when the Americans with Disabilities Act came into law. Today, it is celebrated around the world, including in Canada, where 27 per cent or 8 million Canadians live with a disability.
We all have a responsibility to create a world that celebrates the uniqueness, diversity, and specific needs of every individual.
Disability Pride Flag:
Disability is a word that describes individuals’ experiences and challenges but also represents a distinct identity. The Disability Pride Flag represents a number of identities that can help us understand the range of experiences of individuals with disabilities. The flag is made up of five stripes: green, blue, white, gold, and red.
In 2019, the Disability Flag designed by Ann Magill began to circulate during Disability Pride Month. The flag was revised in 2021 to this current design.
The meaning behind each design element:
- All six flag colors: Disability spans borders between nations
- Black background: Mourning for victims of ableist violence and abuse
- Diagonal Band: Cutting across the walls and barriers that separate disabled people from society
- Red Stripe: Physical disabilities
- Gold Stripe: Neurodivergence
- White Stripe: Invisible and undiagnosed disabilities
- Blue Stripe: Psychiatric disabilities
- Green Stripe: Sensory disabilities
The stripes are displayed on a faded charcoal black background which commemorates and mourns disabled people who’ve died due to ableism, violence, negligence, suicide, rebellion, illness and eugenics. The dark background also represents rage and protest against the mistreatment of the disabled community. According to the creator’s statement, black is also a connection to the pirates’ Jolly Roger flag, a general symbol of rebellion.
Read More: History of the creation of the Disability Flag & its meaning
Check out our Featured funding resources that support individuals and organizations that experience disability, or are in engaged in programs and activities for persons who experience disability:
Employment & Social Development Canada – 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮 – 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗔𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 program supports projects that highlight the contributions of persons with disabilities & raise awareness of the importance of accessibility and disability inclusion in different sectors & communities (projects must be aligned with objectives in Accessible Canada Act) – through National Accessibility Week (NAAW) activities delivered in 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Who Can Apply: not-for-profit or voluntary organizations serving persons with disabilities in the community; organizations, institutions or municipalities working in partnership with disability organizations; or Indigenous organizations including band / tribal councils, self-government entities.
Disability Alliance of BC: Accessibility Projects Grants – Grants support community engagement projects focusing on increasing accessibility for people with disabilities through accessible: employment; emergency planning and response; arts, culture and tourism; sports and recreation; education and learning; or community participation.
Who Can Apply: not-for-profit organizations based in BC, Canada, that operate primarily for community benefit and whose services are open to the public. Organizations do not need to be a registered charity but must have a democratically elected volunteer Board chosen by its membership.
BC Rehabilitation Foundation: Project Grant – The intent of the BC Rehab Project Grant program is to create opportunities for the full participation of people with physical disabilities. BC Rehab is committed to equal opportunities and improving community accessibility throughout the province. We encourage projects that involve multiple community partners, promote universal access, has clearly defined objectives and demonstrate community support.
Who can apply: Funds are available to non-profit organizations or community groups based in British Columbia
BC Arts Council – Accelerate Program: a two-year initiative to improve access and reduce barriers to funding for equity deserving and regional arts and culture organizations and collectives. Funding is intended to offer stability while being flexible in supporting a range of expenses.
Who Can Apply: organizations and collectives who identify as representing an equity-deserving group(s).
BC Rehabilitation Foundation: Individual Grant – The Grant is intended for individual funding requests from persons with physical disabilities. It funds a range of new and used equipment that assists an individual in their quality of life and personal mobility.
Who Can Apply: Awards are considered through a combination of factors. Approved applications typically demonstrate a severe need, and an inability to acquire the needed equipment through other means. The program guidelines specify eligible types of physical disabilities for interested applicants.
Canada Council for the Arts: Application Assistance – Program helps cover costs for services that support account creation and the application or nomination process for grants and prizes. For individuals or lead applicant for a group who self-identify as: Deaf, hard of hearing, having a disability or living with mental illness; First Nations, Inuit or Métis facing language, geographic and/or cultural barriers.
Who Can Apply: Individuals or the lead applicants for groups who self-identify as: Deaf, hard of hearing, having a disability or living with mental illness; or First Nations, Inuit or Métis facing language, geographic and/or cultural barriers.
Canada Council for the Arts: Access Support – a contribution towards expenses associated with Deaf and disability-related supports and services required by the applicant, artistic team and any invited participants to carry out the funded activities laid out in an associated funding application. Access Support responds to the financial disadvantages that many Deaf or disabled artists routinely experience in creating, producing and disseminating art. Funds are available as a supplement to an awarded grant and provided to recipients who identify specific disability-related supports that are needed to carry out their proposed activities. Access support must be linked directly to the project activities; it does not fund daily living expenses.
Eligibility: Funds are available as a supplement to an awarded grant and provided to recipients who identify specific disability-related supports that are needed to carry out their proposed activities.
Province of BC – WorkBC: Assistive Technology Services – Assistive Technology Services provides equipment and devices to help individuals thrive in the workplace. This support is available to those who have work-related barriers due to disability or a functional limitation. Supports available through Assistive Technology Services include: Vehicle modifications for work related purpose; Assistive devices, equipment and technology; Ergonomic supports (e.g. ergonomic furniture, lighting systems); Restorative supports; American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting and captioning services; Communication and hearing devices related to work; Workplace access and modification.
Who Can Apply: To be eligible for Assistive Technology Services, you must: Be a resident of and be legally eligible to work in British Columbia; Be 16 years of age or older; Not be a full-time student, unless you are in your last year of high school or post-secondary school; Have a work-related barrier and need assistive equipment, devices or disability supports to start work or avoid losing your current work or self-employment (proof of regular income is required) or volunteer work that is part of a longer-term goal of employment.
The SmartGrant database has 50+ programs for organizations that support organizations who deliver activities, projects and events in support of persons who experience disability PLUS 24+ funding programs targeted to artists and arts practitioners who experience disability.
Subscribe to SmartGrant to access all of these programs, matched to your specific eligibility and needs.