Disability Pride

Disability Pride

Accepting and honoring our uniqueness and seeing it as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity. Pride comes from celebrating our own heritage, culture, unique experiences, and contributions.

Our definition includes the following data points:

• Disability pride recognizes the power we have to make change.
• Disability pride results when we challenge and ultimately undo the negative beliefs, attitudes, and feelings and systematic oppression that come from the dominant groups’ thinking that there is something wrong with our identity or our disabilities.
• Disability pride rejects shame and the need to “blend in.”
• Disability pride is self-acceptance and validation of our uniqueness.
• Disability pride results in making choices based on the respect for interdependence, accommodations, and creativity.
• Disability pride is the feeling of strong connection with a community of other people.
• Disability pride recognizes that it is our uniqueness that will transform all people and institutions (society).

Self-Empowerment (Powerful)

At the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, we believe in the power of self-empowerment. We understand that power is often associated with control over others, but we see it differently. The word "power" actually comes from the Latin word "posse," which means "to be able." For us, power means having the ability to make positive choices and changes in our own lives, as well as empowering others and creating significant change within our community.

We choose to use the term "self-empowerment" because it emphasizes the idea that we possess our own power. It eliminates the notion that power is granted to us by someone else. At the heart of self-empowerment is the belief that each individual has the capacity to make a difference and achieve their goals.

Our definition of self-empowerment includes the following elements:

1. Pride and Ownership: We encourage individuals with disabilities to take pride in their identity and to claim their full and rightful place in society. We believe in providing personal and institutional support to help individuals navigate their journey towards self-empowerment.
2. Skills and Action: We promote the development and utilization of skills that enable individuals to make meaningful changes in their lives. Through education, training, and practice, individuals can gain the confidence and knowledge necessary to create positive transformations.
3. Advocacy and Celebration: Self-empowerment is expressed through disability communities protesting discrimination and celebrating disability culture, heritage, and history. We believe in raising awareness, challenging societal norms, and celebrating the unique contributions of individuals with disabilities.

We invite you to reflect on these concepts and ask yourself:

• Have you heard of self-empowerment? How often have you been told someone could empower you? What do you think about “self-empowerment?”
• Have you ever felt a sense of pride? What accomplishments or aspects of your identity made you feel proud?
• Have you ever experienced a sense of personal power? When did you feel powerful?
• How have pride and power influenced your life?

At the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, we are dedicated to promoting self-empowerment, disability pride and supporting individuals with disabilities in claiming their full potential. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our organization, please contact us.