Happy July and happy summer! Among the many reasons to celebrate this mid-summer month, July is also Disability Pride Month—a time to reflect on and honor the diversity, strengths, and challenges within the disability community.


What comes to mind when you think of July? Longer days, time to slow down, maybe vacations, campfires, or garden-fresh peaches. There’s beauty in the season—and also an opportunity to be more intentional.


What Is Disability Pride?


Disability Pride Month invites us to recognize the lived experiences of people with a wide range of disabilities, including:

  • Physical disabilities
  • Sensory conditions
  • Mental health challenges
  • Neurodivergence (like autism and ADHD)
  • Cognitive and intellectual disabilities
  • Invisible or undiagnosed conditions


The Disability Pride flag helps build visibility, belonging, and empowerment. This month is also a nod to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passed in July 1990—a milestone in disability rights.


As the Council for Exceptional Children puts it, Disability Pride “honors the unique talents, perspectives, and experiences that enrich our society.”


What does disability mean for you?

Many OPLM parents and caregivers are walking daily with children or adult loved ones who experience disability in some form—diagnosed or not. Whether it’s emotional or behavioral health, sensory or physical challenges, or the complexity of neurodevelopmental differences, these realities affect entire families.
Disability can bring barriers: to education, employment, treatment, or inclusion. As caregivers, we often advocate not just for our loved ones, but for our own well-being, dignity, and rest. Family mental health matters, too.

From personal experience, I know how challenges can be both visible and invisible. Our family has faced addiction recovery, ASD, and mental health diagnoses. Each journey has shaped us, and healing has come in layers—for the whole family.


Rethinking the Language of Disability

The conversation around disability and neurodiversity is evolving. Some now speak of being neuro-affirming rather than neurodiverse—focusing on difference without stigma. It’s about showing up not to fix, but to partner, support, and empower.

When we embrace each person’s uniqueness, we move toward a world with less shame, more dignity, and shared humanity.

Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.


✅ Join Us in Raising Awareness

This July, honor Disability Pride. Share this message. Start a conversation. Support a family. Let’s raise a flag for visibility, compassion, and connection. You are not alone.




Elaine Morgan, is a trauma-informed Parent Peer Support Specialist and National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), trained at Duke Integrative Medicine. Through her practice, Morgan Guidance, she supports families navigating autism, neurodiversity, substance use, and serious mental illness. Also a Time to Think Coach and Certified Planner (AICEP), Elaine helps parents create long-term plans for housing and support, while fostering self-agency and confidence. With a compassionate, individualized approach, she partners with both families and organizations to develop affirming, empowering parent programs.