Empowering young people through disability pride
Disability pride is the concept of disabled people embracing disability as a part of who they are.
Disability pride can also mean feeling confident, not trying to hide a disability, and rejecting ableism. Disability pride promotes community and solidarity, encouraging disabled people to be unapologetically themselves.
Many people see their disability as an important part of their identity.
It’s especially important for disabled young people to feel this kind of pride. When they grow up seeing their disability as a positive part of who they are, it can help them feel more confident in who they are and build a strong sense of identity. This makes it easier for them to speak up when something is wrong.
Disabled young people answer: What is disability pride?
Check out this video of disabled young people talking about what disability pride means to them.
Why disability pride matters for young people
It’s especially important for disabled young people to feel this kind of pride.
When they grow up seeing their disability as a positive part of who they are, it can help them feel more confident, empowered, and proud of who they are—including their disability.
It supports them to build a strong sense of identity, understand their rights, and speak up when something isn’t right.
By challenging stigma and pushing for full inclusion, disability pride encourages young people to stand up for themselves and others, and to make their own choices with confidence.
Disability pride helps young people feel confident and know their worth, making it easier for them to speak up about their rights and raise concerns about their NDIS supports and services. They understand that they deserve to be treated with fairness and respect.
How you can support young people to embrace disability pride
Disability pride is a process for everyone – including disabled people.
So, as a family member or carer of a disabled young person, you can support them to learn more about and embrace disability pride. This may mean teaching them about disability pride.
You can talk to them about disability pride, or celebrate disability pride events, like Disability Pride Month in July, or International Day of People with Disabilities in December.
You can look at disability pride resources together. Check out the disability pride resources below, which are created by disabled young people.
Disability pride resources