July 2023

The Enduring Spirit of Patriotism

Independence Day is more than just a holiday—it is a time to reflect upon the remarkable journey that led to the founding of the United States. It is an opportunity to remember the visionary leaders, brave revolutionaries, and ordinary citizens who fought for the ideals of democracy and self-determination. It is a day to express gratitude to the individuals who have demonstrated unwavering dedication to the betterment of their communities and the nation as a whole.

Patriotism is not simply blind allegiance, but a deep-rooted love for our country that is intertwined with critical thinking, active participation, and a commitment to upholding the principles of justice and equality. The strength of this patriotic spirit lies in the power of civic engagement and the ways in which we can actively contribute to the progress and well-being of our country. Through responsible voting, community involvement, and advocacy for social justice, we can shape the future and uphold the ideals upon which our nation was founded.

Together, let us carry the torch of liberty, justice, and compassion as we celebrate Independence Day!

BOOST DIVERSITY AWARENESS

Challenge yourself this month to boost your diversity awareness calendar usage.

• Learn about July 2023 Events - including notable dates like Nelson Mandela Day, International Non-Binary People's Day, and other cultural observances, and more!
• Schedule Respectfully - With our PAFA Diversity Awareness Calendar, never forget important dates or events. Respect religious observances, holidays, and events.
• New Feature! Email signature images! Now you can build D&I with every email you send - find out how to add Diversity Calendar banners to your Outlook email signature.

Disability Pride Month

Disability Pride Month pays tribute to the landmark legislation that has had a profound impact on the lives of millions—the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA, signed into law on July 26, 1990, embodies the fundamental principles of equality, inclusivity, and accessibility. It was a transformative milestone, empowering individuals with disabilities by ensuring equal rights, protection against discrimination, and opportunities for full participation in all aspects of life. We take this opportunity to honor the ADA's legacy and the wide-ranging provisions of the ADA, which encompass accessibility in public spaces, employment opportunities, telecommunications, and more.

Disability Pride Month most notably serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of recognizing and embracing the abilities and potential of all individuals, regardless of their physical, sensory, cognitive, or developmental differences. It is an opportunity to challenge stereotypes, break down barriers, and create a world where everyone can fully participate and thrive.

It is equally important to challenge our understanding of the concept of accessibility and explore its vital role in creating inclusive environments. From inclusive design practices in our Museum to the implementation of policies that promote equal opportunities and foster accessible spaces, both physically and digitally, ensuring that everyone can participate fully in all aspects of life.

Disability Pride Month is also a time to celebrate the accomplishments of disability activists, advocates, and organizations that champion the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities.

Here are some disability activists you should know about:

1. Judy Heumann: A leading disability rights activist, Judy Heumann has dedicated her life to fighting for equality and inclusion. She played a crucial role in shaping the disability rights movement in the United States and internationally. Heumann's advocacy work includes co-founding the World Institute on Disability and serving as the Special Advisor for International Disability Rights at the U.S. Department of State.
2. Ed Roberts: Often referred to as the father of the independent living movement, Ed Roberts was a prominent disability rights activist. Paralyzed by polio, he became a vocal advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities. Roberts played a pivotal role in establishing the Center for Independent Living and was the first person with significant disabilities to be appointed as the director of the California Department of Rehabilitation.
3. Haben Girma: Haben Girma is a disability rights lawyer, speaker, and advocate. As the first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, Girma advocates for equal access to information and technology for individuals with disabilities. She travels the world, delivering inspirational speeches and raising awareness about disability rights and inclusion.
4. Judith Heumann: A renowned activist and author, Judith Heumann is widely recognized for her work in advancing disability rights. She served as the U.S. Department of Education's Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitation Services under the Obama administration. Heumann's advocacy work has focused on inclusive education, employment, and independent living.
5. Alice Wong: Alice Wong is a disability rights activist, writer, and founder of the Disability Visibility Project. Through her work, Wong amplifies the voices and experiences of disabled individuals, promoting intersectional perspectives and challenging ableism. She is a strong advocate for disability justice, healthcare access, and media representation.
6. Harriet McBryde Johnson: Harriet McBryde Johnson was a disability rights lawyer, writer, and activist. Her advocacy work focused on challenging ableism and advocating for the rights and dignity of individuals with disabilities. Johnson's writings, including her powerful essay "Unspeakable Conversations," have had a profound impact on disability rights discourse.
7. Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha: Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha is a nonbinary femme autistic disabled writer, space creator and disability and transformative justice movement worker of Burgher and Tamil Sri Lankan, Irish and Galician/Roma ascent. They are the author or co-editor of ten books, including The Future Is Disabled: Prophecies, Love Notes and Mourning Songs and Beyond Survival; Strategies and Stories from the Transformative Justice Movement (co-edited with Ejeris Dixon). 
8. Molly Burke: Burke is a blind digital author, advocate, and influencer. Molly Burke is a speaker, content creator, model, author, and advocate who has a combined social media following of over 4 million. At four years old, Molly was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a rare degenerative eye disease, causing eventual blindness. She began public speaking at the age of five to raise awareness for her community.
9. Imani Barbarin: Imani Barbarin is a disability rights and inclusion activist and speaker who uses her voice and social media platforms to create conversations engaging the disability community. Born with cerebral palsy, Imani often writes and uses her platform to speak from the perspective of a disabled Black woman. In the last few years she has created over a dozen trending hashtags that allow disabled folx the opportunity to have their perspectives heard while forcing the world to take notice: #PatientsAreNotFaking, #ThingsDisabledPeopleKnow, #AbledsAreWeird
10. Sandy Ho: Sandy Ho is an Asian-American disabled community-organizer, activist, and policy researcher. Sandy is the founder of the Disability & Intersectionality Summit and claims residence in three communities: disability, queer, and Red Sox nation. she is also a research associate at the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy where she manages the research projects at the Community Living Policy Center.