Disability Pride

" 'Disability Pride represents a rejection of the notion that our physical, sensory, mental, and cognitive differences from the non-disabled standard are wrong or bad in any way…It is a public expression of our belief that our disabilities are a natural part of human diversity, a celebration of our heritage and culture, and a validation of our experience. Disability Pride is a direct challenge to systemic ableism…a militant act of self-definition, a purposive valuing of that which is socially devalued, and an attempt to untangle ourselves from the complex matrix of negative beliefs, attitudes, and feelings that grow from the dominant group's assumption that there is something inherently wrong with our disabilities and identity. As long as people with disabilities remain ashamed of who we are, we will never realize the true equality and freedom we so desire. We must first take pride in ourselves as a community. We must no longer be ashamed of being disabled. Sarah Triano, National Disabled Students Union, www.disabilityprideparade.com

For the purpose of Capital Pride I will be using the umbrella term Queers With Disabilities (QWDs) which includes LGBTQ peoples with: mobility disabilities and wheelchair/scooter users, chronic and terminal illness, Developmental Disabilities, Language and Communication Disabilities, Neuro Diversities: Autism, Aspergers, ADHD, NLD, FAS, Psych Disabilities and Learning Disabilities, The Deaf and The Blind Communities and everyone else I’ve missed!

Hello, welcome to the Disability Pride section of Capital Pride! My name is TAZ, your Disability Coordinator for Capital Pride. 

Check out Capital Prides Disability Pride Initiatives for 2011!

 Marked Disability Entrances and increased training for Volunteer Staff in regards to helping QWDs. If you need help entering the site before the festivities begin, please let Taz know ahead of time.

Disability Pride Information Tables: There’s a new Pride Movement in town. Introducing the emerging Disability Pride Movement sweeping North America! - Are you a QWD interested in helping to staff the table? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator and tell her you want to “Help Taz Out!”  

QWD Transpo: Need a lift to and from the main Capital Pride Festival Events? Please contact Taz so she can help try to organize your ride.

 Interested in volunteering to help bring QWDs to our events and drop them off? Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator and sign up so we can keep you in the QWD Transpo loop!    

Social Buddies – We recognize that for people struggling with Social Isolation for any reason, just getting to one of our events is a triumph and staying at them a challenge. Sometimes all it takes is knowing there’s a friendly face you can whisper “all these people, they’re freaking me out!” to without fear of social ridicule or social judgment. Our Social Buddies wearing the pink bandanas on their heads are there to ease your feelings of social anxiety, confusion, awkwardness and outright panic. Feel free to ask us to dance, go for a short walk or sit outside with you for a few minutes. What you share with us, stays with us, “We Have Your Back!” – Interested in being a Social Buddy? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator (link) and come on board!

Athletes With Disabilities, Seniors Being Active, we want to remind people that Disability, Illness and Aging are aspects of Health and Fitness and not separate categories. We hope to have events or activities representing these groups at our Health and Fitness Day! If you are interested in participating contact our Health & Fitness Day Coordinator (link)

Quiet Room – Need a place to get away from all the hussle and bussle? We’re hoping to create a Quiet Room, perhaps a tent, for QWDs to chill out in.

Free Access to Attendents and Caretakers of PWDs.

Online Activities: Are you a QWD who is housebound? Why not join Capital Pride and help to create some online activities for you and other housebound QWD to participate in? Blog Carnival, Online discussion, Celebrations over at Second Life, you decide! Contact Taz with your ideas and we’ll see what we can do!

QWDs and Allies needing help to participate, contact us and we’ll do our best to help you out!

Want to Volunteer for the above? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator (link) and mention you’d like to Volunteer for Queer Disability Pride!

INVISIBLE DISABILITIES: If you are a person with Invisible Disabilities please remember to tell Taz if it’s OK to refer to you publically as a QWD or if you’d prefer we keep your disclosures private.