#AdvocacyMatters: The World Works Better with Us
July 24, 2026 / #AdvocacyMatters
Empowering and elevating the voices and lived experiences of advocates throughout Ohio is at the core of everything we do. Guided and informed by a Board of Directors with their own disability experiences and comprised of a team with a broad array of backgrounds, our organization strives to keep advocates front and center on the path towards a truly equitable society.
July is recognized as Disability Pride month, giving us all opportunities to celebrate our victories and recognize the challenges that remain. July was chosen as it coincides with the anniversary of the historic Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law on July 26th, 1990. The first formal recognition of Disability Pride Month came in 2015 in celebration of the ADA’s 25th anniversary.
Disability Pride is often celebrated with a unique flag, originally created and later refined by Ann Magill. Magill is a writer who has cerebral palsy. She initially created the flag out of frustration after attending a Disability Pride event that had been set up in the basement of an independent living center, rather than a public place. The flag features diagonal bands of different colors set against a dark gray background. Each color of stripe represents a different type of disability:
Red: Physical Disabilities
Gold: Neurodiversity
White: “Invisible” disabilities or those not yet diagnosed
Blue: Emotional and Psychiatric Disabilities
Green: Sensory Disabilities
Together, these stripes show the diversity within the disability community… providing a graphical representation of the 1 in 4 people in America who have a disability.
The theme for Disability Pride 2026 is “The World Works Better with Us.”
“It’s a clear statement about inclusion,” said The Arc’s National Council of Self-Advocates on selecting this year’s theme. “When people with disabilities are included, respected, and supported, communities work better for everyone. That includes schools, workplaces, healthcare, transportation, and public life.”
Elevating and empowering is the core of what we do. This month – and every month – we hope that you’ll join us.
#AdvocacyMatters