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Disability Pride Month is an annual event celebrated in recognition of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990.
The Center for Accessibility at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is hosting a variety of signature events to celebrate the anniversary of this landmark legislation throughout the month of July 2023. Explore the events below to help us celebrate Disability Pride at DC Public Library!
*For reasonable accommodations to participate in these or any DCPL programs, please contact DCPLaccess@dc.gov or 202-727-2142.
Featured Disability Pride Month Events
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From Dr. Strange to Bridgerton: Unexpected Disability Narratives in Popular Culture *Rescheduled* Thursday, Aug. 24, 7 p.m. |
Tolonda Henderson is a PhD student in the English Department at the University of Connecticut who specializes in disability, race, and young adult literature. They will discuss unexpected disability narratives in recent popular media and how it plays a role in the development of character, including the popular Netflix series Bridgerton and Marvel's Dr. Strange. *ASL Interpretation will be provided |
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Saturday, July 8, 11 a.m-3 p.m. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (1st Floor, New Books) |
Try out Smart technology for the home! In conjunction with the DC Assistive Technology Program, we'll showcase the latest smart tech designed to bring ease to everyday home activities, from some well-known tech like the Alexa and the Apple iPad, to some less so well-known (but just as reliable) tech like the Hero Medication dispenser and Kasa Smart light bulbs. Get a hands-on feel for what might work for your home! *ASL Interpretation will be provided |
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Tuesday, July 11, 11:30 a.m. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (2nd Floor, Children's Room) |
Join us for stories and songs in American Sign Language (ASL)! We'll both voice and sign our stories; no prior knowledge of ASL is required. Best for ages 2-5. |
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Know Your Rights with Disability Rights DC Thursday, July 13, 6:30 p.m. (Virtual Program) |
This program will help people with disabilities know their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Peter Stephan from Disability Rights DC will deliver a general Know Your Rights presentation, including Assistive Technology rights, voter registration and the accessible remote ballot system, and rights regarding ADA accommodations in the community. The program will be over Zoom. Please contact us for the Zoom link at DCPLaccess@dc.gov or 202-727-2142. *ASL Interpretation and CART captioning will be provided |
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Saturday, July 15, 1-3 p.m. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (2nd Floor, Center for Accessibility) |
Participants will enjoy a hands-on art experience as they create and keep in this summer-themed craft activity! An art instructor will guide students as they paint terracotta pots with summer themes. *We welcome all adults and particularly encourage adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities to attend. This Create & Keep session is being taught by artist, Melanie Melendez. The library will supply all art materials and light refreshments. Registration is required and limited to 20 people. |
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BodyWise Dance for All Various Dates Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (5th Floor Event Space) |
BodyWise Dance will lead a series of inclusive and expressive dance classes for registered DCPL participants. Come to one or more classes! Each class will include a gentle warm-up, improvisation, and choreography. During the last 15 minutes of the program, participants will be invited to talk about their experience. All ages and abilities are invited to participate, and attendance will be capped at 25. Register at the links below: Time: 10:30 - 11:30 am. |
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Disability Pride Comedy & Storytelling Night Thursday, July 20, 7 p.m. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (5th Floor Event Space) |
Join us in celebration of Disability Pride Month for an evening of comedy and stories from performers with disabilities! Featured performers: Martin Phillips (DC Improv) Sheri Denkensohn (Story District, The Moth) Adrian Villalobos (Story District) *This program may contain mature language and is for Adults. *ASL Interpretation and CART captioning will be provided |
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Saturday, July 22, 11 a.m. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (1st Floor, New Books) |
DCPL will be joined in conversation with award-winning photographer, writer, and theatre artist Willy Conley, who will share plays by Deaf and hard of hearing writers. Willy Conley is an award-winning photographer, writer, and theatre artist. He is the editor of Plays of Our Own: An Anthology of Scripts by Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Writers *ASL Interpretation and CART captioning will be provided |
Recommended Books for Children
All the Way to the Top: How One Girl's Fight for Americans with Disabilities Changed Everything
Annette Bay Pimentel, pictures by Nabi Ali
Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution
Judith Heumann with Kristen Jordan
I Am Not a Label : 34 Disabled Artists, Thinkers, Athletes and Activists from Past and Present
Cerrie Burnell, illustrated by Lauren Baldo
Recommended Books for Teens
The Disability Experience : Working Toward Belonging
Hannalora Leavitt ; illustrations by Belle Wuthrich
Recommended Books for Adults
Disability Visibility : First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century
Edited by Alice Wong
The Hidden Treasure of Black ASL : Its History and Structure
Carolyn McCaskill, Ceil Lucas, Robert Bayley, Joseph Hill ; in collaboration with Roxanne Dummett, Pamela Baldwin, Randall Hogue
