7 Things You Should Know About Philadelphia's Disability Pride Parade
Philadelphia's Annual Disability Pride Walk is just three months away and we could not be more excited! In case you missed it, check out the Pride Walk's coverage from our friends at Generocity and Technical.ly.
Here are seven things you need to know about the Pride Walk:
1. How did it all begin?
Disability Pride Parades are held to celebrate people with disabilities. Disability Pride Parades seek to change the way people think about and define disability, to end the stigma of disability, and to promote the belief that disability is a natural and beautiful part of human diversity in which people living with disabilities can take pride. The United States first Disability Pride Parade was held in Chicago in 2004. Today, Disability Pride Parades have been held in a number of places across the United States, including Silicon Valley/Santa Clara County, Chicago, Philadelphia, Colorado Springs, Houston, Atlanta, Detroit, New Jersey, and Columbus as well as around the world in locations such as South Korea, Norway, and the U.K.
2. What is it really about?
Disability Pride is an annual event used to promote visibility and mainstream awareness of the positive pride felt by people with disabilities within their community. It marks a break from traditional concepts of disabilities as shameful conditions, which were often hidden from public spaces and mainstream awareness.
3. What is the Disability Culture?
Today, people with disabilities are emerging as artists, writers, and performers with something new to say about the experience of being disabled. The culture and media these artist/activists are producing has come to be collectively called Disability Culture. Disability culture is about visibility and self value. As with many groups in society, recognition by others only comes with self awareness within the group of the groups' differences and strengths. Disability culture offers ways for people with different disabilities to pursue their own - as well as shared goals.
4. When and where is it going to happen?
June 11, 2016. Starts at National Constitution Center at 10am with opening ceremonies, parade from NCC down Market Street to City Hall and Dilworth Park.
5. Why you should be there?
This year's Pride Walk will begin with several performances from local artists including Spin Choir, Johnny Crescendo, Gooch and the Motion, and The Danie Ocean Band. Your involvement will highlight the community integration, self-value and self-awareness of the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia. It not only will help people embrace their disability but will also be an amazing experience!
6. What makes it so special?
"This is Philadelphia's 5th annual Disability Pride Parade and Celebration. We are honored to be working closely with Charles Horton, Mayor's Commission on the disabled; Fred Hess, Councilman Al Taubenberger's office; Nancy Salandra, Disabled in Action; and Jenna Winterle, National Constitution Center and many others to put on this important event. The parade seeks to end the stigma of "disability"; change the way people think about disability; and promote self value, self esteem, and community integration. I believe it's time for us to come together and show what we can do together," said Vicki Landers, Managing Director, Independence EDGE Studio.
7. How to get involved?
If you'd like to volunteer, sponsor or make a donation, please reach out to Vicki Landers. Your contributions will go a long way! You can also spread the word by liking and sharing the Disability Pride Phila Facebook page.
Created: 16 March, 2016
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