Chicago Disability Pride Parade July 24
When: Saturday, July 24, 2021, 11:00AM-1PM Parade steps off. Post-parade program at Daley Plaza begins at 12:30 PM.
Where: Plymouth and Van Buren (Plymouth is one block east of Dearborn). The parade starts at Plymouth Ct, and Van Buren. It heads down Van Buren to Dearborn, then marches north to Daley Plaza. The after-parade celebration will be at Daley Plaza 50 W. Washington. .Virtual
The overall mission of the Disability Pride Parade is:
- To change the way people think about and define “disability”;
- To break down and end the internalized shame among people with Disabilities; and
- To promote the belief in society that Disability is a natural and beautiful part of human diversity in which people living with Disabilities can take pride
- More info
The Disability Pride Parade Planning (DP3) Committee is of a group of volunteers from various disability-related organizations and affiliations.
Disability Pride represents a rejection of the notion that our physical, sensory, mental, and cognitive differences from the non-disabled standard are wrong or bad in any way, and is a statement of our self-acceptance, dignity and pride.
It is a public expression of our belief that our disabilities are a natural part of human diversity, a celebration of our heritage and culture, and a validation of our experience.
Disability Pride is an integral part of movement building, and a direct challenge to systemic ableism and stigmatizing definitions of disability.
The sense of shame associated with having a disability has, indeed, reached epidemic proportions. Disability rights movements in different countries have made many gains in the area of civil rights over the past decade.
As long as people with disabilities remain ashamed of who we are, we will never realize the true equality and freedom we so desire. We must first take pride in ourselves as a community. We must no longer be ashamed of being disabled.
“Dismantling centuries of internalized oppression, however, and promoting a widespread sense of Disability pride is easier said than done.
Unlike other civil rights movements, people with disabilities do not always have the benefit of a generational transfer of disability history and pride through the family structure.
There are no “disability churches” per se, neighborhood enclaves, or other communal institutions where people with disabilities can come together by choice and consistently receive positive messages that counteract the depredation wrought by the onslaught of cultural terrorism.
There is a tremendous need to create a counterculture that teaches new values and beliefs, and acknowledges the dignity and worth of all human beings. Disability pride is a direct response to this need.”
