This month, we proudly participate in Disability Awareness Month as part of our ongoing commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. At RS Clare, we held a ‘Colourful Clothes Day’ on Friday the 26th of July, aligning ourselves with the important US holiday, Disability Pride Month. Our team dressed up in one of the Disability Pride colours and contributed a small donation to our chosen charity.
In the US, this month was chosen to commemorate the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July 1990—a landmark legislation that created legal protections for the rights of disabled individuals in employment, transportation, and other areas.
What is Disability Pride Month?
July is Disability Pride Month, a time to recognise and celebrate the contributions of individuals with disabilities. Disability Pride encompasses visibility, accessibility, and awareness, emphasising the importance of being seen. It advocates for a more equitable world and encourages openness about the diverse conditions that define disability and what it means to an individual.
What do the colours represent?
In October 2021, Ann Magill unveiled an updated version of the disability pride flag. This new design features a straight diagonal banner of five colours on a dark background, replacing the zigzag lines of her original 2019 design. The vibrant new flag serves as a symbol of unity and pride within the disability community.
- Green is for sensory disabilities, including the blind, deaf, and deaf-blind communities
- Blue represents emotional and psychiatric disabilities
- White stands for non-apparent and undiagnosed disabilities
- Gold (yellow) is for neurodivergence
- Red represents physical disabilities
What are we doing at RS Clare?
As part of this event, we have asked all employees to choose a colour from the Disability Pride Flag to wear to work and donate £1 to Greenbank Disability Charity. We have also asked participants to bring in bought or baked cakes to raise extra donations and RS Clare will match the overall donations.