This month, we honor the strength, resilience, and pride of the disability community, while reflecting on the ongoing fight for equity, accessibility, and justice. For centuries, people with disabilities have endured systemic oppression, harmful stereotypes, and barriers to full participation in society. Disability Pride Month is a time to celebrate progress, uplift disabled voices, and recommit to a more inclusive future.
From advocacy in the streets to landmark victories in Congress, the disability rights movement has shaped American history. In 1973, after years of relentless protest, the Rehabilitation Act became the first federal law to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities. Section 504 guaranteed equal access in federally funded programs and laid the groundwork for what came next.
On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law, expanding civil rights protections to millions. The ADA ensured accessibility in employment, transportation, public accommodations, and government services. It was a monumental victory, but it also marked just one step in an ongoing journey.
Disability Pride Month originated as a day of celebration in 1990 to commemorate the passage of the ADA. In 2015, the first official month-long celebration launched on the ADA’s 25th anniversary — and we’ve carried the torch ever since. Today, through community events, storytelling, and advocacy, we continue to spotlight the diversity and power of the disabled community.
Here at Team Anna, we are proud to stand with our neighbors with disabilities, both visible and invisible. We know this work doesn’t stop in July, and we will continue to keep fighting year-round for true inclusion, justice, and opportunity for all.
See below for the list of organizations within the Central Florida area:
- Autism Society of Greater Orlando: Provides opportunities to become fully accepted, included, and actively participating members of our community, through family support, education, advocacy, and public awareness for those on the Autism spectrum.
- AGED Trust: Assists seniors and / or disabled individuals qualify for benefits, reduce medication costs, and preserve income and / or assets.
- Best Buddies of Central Florida: Offering One-to-One Friendship, Integrated Employment, Leadership Development, Inclusive Living, and Family Support programs for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Florida.
- CECO: Provides innovative educational and life-skills based programs that transform the lives of individuals with neurological motor disabilities, like cerebral palsy.
- Center for Independent Living: Promotes personal rights and responsibilities among all people with disabilities and strives to eliminate architectural, communication and attitudinal barriers by providing education, resources and training to enhance self-determination through informed choice.
- Disability Rights Florida: Disability Rights Florida is a nonprofit organization that provides legal advocacy and rights protection for adults and children with a wide range of disabilities.
- Inspire of Central Florida: Works to provide a work environment that is safe, compassionate, and educational for adults with developmental disabilities.
- MAGICAL Self Advocacy Group: A grassroots self-advocacy group located in the greater Orlando area. They are a group of advocates working hard to make sure we can live our lives limitless while helping others in the process.
- Nathaniel’s Hope: Celebrates kids with special needs (their VIPs) as well as educates and equips communities to provide FREE respite care and programs to enrich the lives of VIP families.
- Office for Students with Disabilities – Valencia College: The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) is committed to the fulfillment of equal educational opportunity, autonomy, and full inclusion for students with disabilities.
- Opportunity, Community, Ability (OCA): Creates opportunities to engage in age-appropriate activities with children and adults with IDD. They offer Recreation Programs, Adult Program, Camps, Special Olympics training, ABA Therapy and more for the Special Needs Community in Central Florida.
- OCA’s Running Man Theatre: Central Florida’s premiere theatre company for actors of all abilities.
- Orange County Government – Disability Services & Referrals: The purpose of this office is to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act and bring awareness to disability issues, and to provide people with disabilities a variety of resources.
- Quest: For 60 years, Quest, Inc. has transformed the lives of thousands of adults and children with developmental disabilities through a range of services proven to increase capabilities and quality of life.
- Rollins Accessibility Services: Addresses barriers to learning, facilitate accessible learning environments, and champion equal access for the entire campus community
- The Arc of Florida: Working with local, state, and national partners, The Arc of Florida advocates for local chapters, public policies, and high quality supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be fully included in all aspects of their community.
- UCP of Central Florida: Dedicated to enriching the lives of children of all abilities in Central Florida through therapy, support, and education.
- UCF Inclusive Education Services: The Inclusive Education Services (IES) program at University of Central Florida, offers an inclusive, comprehensive, non-degree-seeking college experience to people with intellectual disabilities.
- UCF Student Accessibility Services: Works collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to create an inclusive educational environment for students