Disability Pride Month
July is Disability Pride month, a time to celebrate the stories, achievements, culture, history and contributions to society of the disabled community.
Disability covers a wide range of experience, and with approximately 15% of the current world population being made up of persons with disabilities, living as a disabled person is a deeply individual experience. This month is all about celebrating that diversity, and is the ideal time to raise awareness, support the disabled people in your life, or celebrate yourself if you are part of the disabled community.
The Disability Pride Flag
Designed in 2019 by Ann Magill, the original Disability Pride Flag features bold colours and a zigzag design. After feedback that the design could be troublesome to those with visually triggered seizures and migraines, the 2021 version was released. The design features six colours, all with specific meanings, including the black background that commemorates those lost to ableism.
- The Red Stripe: Physical Disabilities
- The Gold Stripe: Neurodivergence
- The White Stripe: Invisible or Undiagnosed Disabilities
- The Blue Stripe: Psychiatric Disabilities
- The Green Stripe: Sensory Disabilities
To mark Disability Pride Month 2024, we’ve hand-selected a range of disability tools and living aids that correspond to each type of disability represented in the flag. We hope we can help direct you to solutions that may help improve your life, while raising awareness.
RED: Physical Disability
Braces and Supports
An overarching trend we see in all manner of physical disabilities in our customer community is the need for support and pressure to be applied to certain parts of the body. This provides pain relief and stability to these often weakened areas.
The lower back, shoulders, elbows, and knees are the most commonly affected areas that our customers make us aware of, which is why an adjustable brace or support is our recommended aid for this category.
GOLD: Neurodivergence
Pill Organiser
An umbrella term encapsulating a spectrum of conditions including Autism and ADHD, neurodivergent people have a neurological function that differs from what is medically considered typical.
This wide range of disorders can affect those living with them differently, and many are prescribed medications in the hopes they will alleviate and manage more distressing symptoms, including issues with focus, working memory, and organisation. A pill organiser helps neurodivergent users keep track of their medication and can act as a strong visual reminder to take them, especially when available in bright colours.
BLUE: Psychiatric Disability
Weighted Blanket
Psychiatric disabilities such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety can be debilitating. Many people living with these report symptoms that include difficulty feeling safe and relaxed, as well as dissociation.
A weighted blanket can help relieve stress, provide a sense of comfort and relief, and ground an individual. They work by putting pressure on the body and stimulating the autonomic nervous system to activate its “rest” mode.
GREEN: Sensory Disability
Ear Defenders
A number of sensory disabilities overlap with neurodivergent conditions, making people with these disabilities more sensitive to sensory information such as hearing and vision.
When the environment around you becomes overwhelming it can be difficult to function, let alone focus. Ear defenders are an excellent tool in restoring balance and navigating an overstimulating world, as audio and visual sensitivities are featured among the most common sensory disabilities.
Other Disability Flags
The flag is comprised of gold, silver, and bronze stripes. These respectively present different types of disabilities, as well as paying homage to the three medals awarded at the Paralympic Games. Each band of colour is of an equal size to represent how no singular type of disability takes precedent, and how the Paralympic achievements are all equally important and represent a collective overcoming of obstacles by the disabled community.
“With this flag, we are going to give the world a message of inclusion, solidarity, and freedom.”
– Eros Recio
Find Your Ideal Solution
Whether you are looking for a mobility solution or a disability living aid to improve your day-to-day living, our understanding experts are always happy to help.
Get in touch today to see how we can support you!
We’d like to wish our customers and readers a happy Disability Pride Month!
