By now, you've probably flipped your calendar over to August (assuming that you still use a paper calendar and that you remembered it's the 1st, so if you forgot, here's your reminder! Or, you know, flip the calendar metaphorically.) That's a wrap on Disability Pride Month until next year. It's always a source of mixed feelings for me that I can't quite reconcile. Admittedly, I do find the flurry of activity to be fun--disabled people being loud and proud on social media, festive disability-related events, a sense of solidarity and lifting up the community. All of that is beautiful. But we exist every single day of the year. Are we only worthy of celebrating when the calendar gives us permission? Aside from that, I have complicated thoughts on the fact that Disability Pride generally hasn't caught on among the corporate world or mainstream media. Though it often reads as performative when businesses and media outlets jump on the bandwagon for pride or "awareness" months, I can't help wishing for much broader, genuine acknowledgment of Disability Pride Month. This isn't about championing capitalism; it's about fighting continued ignorance and erasure of disabled people in all aspects of our society. And when Disability Pride Month ends, what's next? I know plenty of organizations are gearing up for National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, or for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3. Both of those are worth recognizing, sure. That said, paying lip service to inclusion and accessibility because the calendar tells us to should be the absolute bare minimum. Throwing around buzzwords or holding events a few times a year is not enough. It's the smallest start. So, here's my question: what are you committing to do to actively support, amplify, and center disabled people on the days and months in between? #DisabledAndProud #DisabilityPride #DemystifyingDisability [Image: Dark teal background. Text: "Disabled people deserve to be proud of who we are every single day of the year-not just when the calendar gives us permission." Below is a wheel logo encircled by "Words I Wheel By" and my handle, @EmilyLadau.]