Bookmark Donateacar.ca
Follow Us
Do you know what the stripes that make up the disability pride flag represent? Those colours carry a lot of meaning!
Disability pride explored in colour
The disability pride flag is flyin’ high through the month of July! Here’s the meaning behind what you’re seeing:
- 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
How can we honour disability pride? What our charities have to say
The BC Epilepsy Society (one of our receiving charities) noted this on one of their social media posts this week,
“This month, we celebrate the diversity, experiences, and contributions of everyone in the disability community while recognizing the importance of accessibility, inclusion, and belonging. For many of us living with epilepsy, disability can be visible, invisible, or experienced differently from one person to the next. Every experience is valid, and every voice matters. Together, we can help build communities where everyone is respected, included, and supported.”
The Cochrane Public Library offers a challenge. “Disability Pride Month aims to change the way the world views disability—promoting it not as something to be fixed, but as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity. 22 percent of Canadians—about 6.2 million people—live with a disability.“
A better place when all are included
Big Brothers Big Sisters posts, “Every July, we celebrate Disability Pride Month, a time to recognize and honour the diversity, achievements, and lived experiences of people with disabilities. This year’s theme, The World Works Better With Us, highlights the importance of meaningful inclusion, accessibility, and respect in our workplaces, communities, and everyday lives.”
And the Centre for Autism Services chimes, “Every year in July, Disability Pride Month celebrates persons who experience disability, their identities and culture, and their positive contributions to society. It aims to change the way people think about disability and 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 22 per cent or 6.2 million Canadians live with a disability. Did you know the gold stripe in the Disability Pride Flag represents Neurodivergence? Let’s use this month to learn about, understand, and celebrate persons with disabilities, and work together to create more respectful and inclusive communities all year long!”
You can make it happen!
You can play a part in creating an inclusive and always-dignifying Canada! Start close to home! Then, learn about and build relationship with the people right around you that live with disabilities. It can be helpful to remember that many (many!) disabilities are invisible. Do your part to be the diagonal band on that flag! Let’s remove barriers; let’s leave behind ableist and exclusionary beliefs and practices!
One hands-on way to make a difference today? Explore the charities in your community that are championing folx with diverse abilities. These charities have been tending this work for decades. You can help them continue their Good Work! Where do we start? We can begin by getting involved, volunteering, and giving!
Your two and four wheel scrappers can be part of community building!
Those charities that you discover in your neighbourhood? They are receiving vehicle donations. Re-sold or recycled, each donated vehicle results in a monetary gift for your charity of choice! It’s simple, quick, and free — for you and for your charity of choice!
First, fill in an online donation form. This will take just a few minutes. Then, sit back and wait for your tow crew to give you a call and arrange your free tow. Finally, watch your inbox. Your tax receipt is on its way!
Most importantly, let’s expand our understanding of our fellow Canadians this Disability Pride month! Spending a couple of minutes acknowledging their flag and all that it represents is a good place to start. From there, the opportunities are as limitless as your imagination!
We are excited to work together with you on this!
