“I showcase the joy in disability” 

Indiana residents join the world in celebrating disability pride month For Americans, July is a month for fireworks.Worldwide, July is also a month for a different celebration — the celebration of Disability Pride Month. After the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law on July 26, 1990, preventing discrimination based on disability, the commemorative holiday turned into a monthlong celebration for disability pride. In 2004, Chicago’s Disability Pride Parade organization hosted the first ever Disability Pride Parade, an event that has become an annual tradition. This year, at 11 a.m. on July 20, Chicago will have its 21st annual parade to the theme of “Disability pride will not be denied.”W.A. Thomasson, an 88-year-old now legally blind non-binary person, has been involved with the parade since its inception in 2004. “(Having the parade) means that the Chicago disability community is working together very well,” Thomasson said. “There are other groups that are more advocacy oriented, and that is very good, but just to be able to celebrate our pride and who we are is a great thing.”When asked what message they hope to convey through this year’s parade, Thomasson quoted the organization’s mission statement:“Your disability is a natural and beautiful...