At Bellomo & Associates, July is more than just another summer month. It’s a time to pause, reflect, and celebrate the incredible diversity that makes every family unique. Disability Pride Month reminds us that every person matters and deserves to live with dignity, independence, and joy, just as they are.
Whether you’re raising children, caring for aging parents, planning your future, or supporting a loved one with different abilities, this month offers a moment to center inclusion and love.
What Is Disability Pride Month?
Each July, Disability Pride Month honors the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed in 1990. It’s a time to reflect on the resilience, achievements, and vibrant culture of people with disabilities. Since the first celebration in Boston, these events have grown into a national movement that celebrates disability as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity.
2025 Theme: “We Belong Here, and We’re Here to Stay”
Chosen by The Arc’s National Council of Self-Advocates, this year’s theme says it all. People with disabilities are in every school, workplace, and neighborhood. They belong. And that sense of belonging matters deeply to families like yours and mine.
Why It Matters in Estate Planning and Elder Law
When someone in your family lives with a disability, planning is a gift of love. Whether it’s setting up a special needs trust, discussing guardianship, or preparing for long-term care, thoughtful planning protects independence and ensures access to vital resources.
We walk with families every day as they make these decisions not out of fear, but out of hope. Hope for a secure future. Hope for a life lived fully and with pride.
How to Celebrate and Show Support
Learn from Lived Experience
Follow disability advocates. Read books by disabled authors. Watch powerful documentaries like Crip Camp or CODA. Real stories teach us more than anything else.
Talk About It with Your Family
Conversations about inclusion start at home. Explore what Disability Pride means and how your family can support accessibility and equity.
Review Your Estate Plan with Inclusion in Mind
Does your plan protect a loved one with a disability? Does it preserve benefits like Medicaid or Social Security? If you’re not sure, we can help.
Support Leading Organizations
Volunteer. Donate. Spread the word. Groups like The Arc do extraordinary work, and they count on communities like ours to keep moving forward.
Speak Up When It Counts
Whether you’re at work, at school, or in your neighborhood, your voice matters. Stand up for inclusive policies and challenge outdated or hurtful language.
Every Family Includes Someone Who Needs Extra Support
Disability Pride Month is for all of us. It’s for the parents at an IEP meeting. The adult child is arranging long-term care. The newly retired couple is reviewing their legal plans. The professional is making sure a loved one is safe and supported.
If someone you care about lives with a disability, and you want to make sure they are protected in every season of life, we’re here for you.
Register for a Workshop and let’s plan together with heart, intention, and pride.
And if you’re looking for a way to celebrate this month, consider joining a Disability Pride event in your community. Visit TheArc.org to find one near you.
