JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council acknowledges the need for progress toward full and equitable access and inclusion for Missourians with disabilities during Disability Pride Month.
Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July to acknowledge that the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990.
The ADA prevents discrimination based on disability, requires that employers provide reasonable accommodations, ensures that public accommodations meet accessibility requirements. The ADA is recognized as one of the most important civil rights laws in history.
Laws and policies, like the ADA, have significantly improved the social position and lives of people with disabilities. It is also recognized that to achieve social justice means we must shift the social and cultural values of society.
People with disabilities are valued and vibrant members of Missouri’s communities, economy, art and culture, with diverse and intersectional identities. People with disabilities share a community and culture that is built around their lived experiences.
MODDC acknowledges the long history of isolation and discrimination against Missourians with disabilities and recognizes the decades of activism and advocacy by the disability community.
MODDC acknowledges that celebrating culture, community, and the ADA is only a starting point, and there remains significant room for progress toward full and equitable access and inclusion for all Missourians with disabilities.
MODDC encourages people with disabilities to celebrate their disability pride.
MODDC invites people with disabilities to share their experiences, their events, their gifts and their talents by tagging the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (@MODDCouncil) in Disability Pride shares on social media and using the hashtags #DisabilityPride and #DisabilityPrideMonth.
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MODDCouncil
Instagram: www.instagram.com/MODDCouncil
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MODDCouncil
Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (MODDC) is a federally-funded, 23-member, consumer-driven council appointed by the Governor. Its mandate under P.L. 106-402, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, is to assure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of and have access to needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity and integration in all aspects of community life.
To learn more about MODDC or to get involved, visit www.moddcouncil.org