We are quickly approaching the upcoming anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26. The ADA was signed into law in 1990, and guarantees civil rights protections for those with disabilities. Disability Pride Month began in July 2015, celebrating the law’s 25th anniversary, and has taken place every year since. According to the American Bar Association’s page about the annual event, “Disability Pride Month celebrates disabled persons embracing their disabilities as integral parts of who they are, reclaiming visibility in public and interacting fully with their disabilities out in the open, and rejecting shame and internalized ableism. It is a time for the disability community to come together, uplift, and amplify one another’s voices and be heard. Disability pride has been described as “accepting and honoring each person’s uniqueness and seeing it as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity.””
A group of disabled Disney fans from the “Disney DAS Defenders” facebook group are planning to gather at both EPCOT and Disneyland at different times on July 26, 2024, to meet new friends and celebrate Disability Pride Month as a community.
This event is about community, celebration, and visibility. In a similar spirit to “Gay Days” in Orlando, guests are encouraged to wear bright blue, which represents the color of most disability parking placards.
This is NOT a protest, is not intended to impede park operations in any way, and guests are still required to follow all park rules and Cast Member instructions, and must adhere to the dress code.
At EPCOT, the group plans to meet at Connections Cafe at 10 am and 7 pm, grab some food, take a fun group photo, and ride a ride or two with short standby waits.
At Disneyland, they plan to meet at 10 am outside the park, take a group photo in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, and go off to enjoy the parks before meeting back up at 7 pm on Main Street, U.S.A.
Guests on either coast who can only stay for a short time are still encouraged to come – say hello and hang out with the group at one of the meeting times. You don’t have to attend both if you are unable to.
There will also be a virtual event on July 25, to accommodate people who can’t attend in the parks but still want to be part of the celebration.
Access the Mouse 