Celebrating disability identity, community and advocacy
Disability Pride Month is a celebration of disability identity, community, and advocacy. ECU is proud to be hosting celebrations for Disability Pride Month this July, with events for staff, students, and the local community.
First published by ECU
Edith Cowan University (ECU) is proud to be hosting celebrations for Disability Pride Month this July, with events for staff, students, and the local community, which include Perth’s inaugural Disability Pride Festival.
Disability Pride Month is a celebration of disability identity, community, and advocacy. The month's, now international, celebration represents a historic win for decades of incredible work by disability advocates.
ECU is embracing the month with formal recognition of Disability Pride Flag Raising ceremonies at three campuses and a series of events, including an online resource session to mark the launch of ECU's Staff with Disability Network, an interactive mural painting activation for students and all the fun of the Disability Pride Festival (see event details below).
A proud fight for recognition
The roots of Disability Pride Month are in community advocacy. On March 12, 1990, over a thousand advocates marched from the White House to the U.S Capitol to demand that the US Congress pass the Americans with Disabilities Act.
When activists arrived at the Capitol, sixty disabled activists demonstrated the inaccessibility of public spaces by getting out of the mobility aids and crawling up the Capitol steps in an act of civil disobedience later known as the Capitol Crawl. This monumental demonstration came after decades of activism by American disability activists and led to the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990.
In an Australian context, 1981 was a turning point in the history of the Australian and international disability rights movement. The United Nations declared 1981 the International Year of Disabled Persons, and called for a plan of action on the rights of persons with disabilities to take part fully in the life and development of their societies, to enjoy living conditions equal to those of other citizens, and to have an equal share in improved conditions resulting from socio-economic development.
A shift occurred in the disability rights movement with greater connections to advocacy occurring internationally, especially the budding disability civil rights movement in the United States.
ECU events during Disability Pride Month
Disability Pride Flag Raisings
Join members of the University Executive, Staff with Disability Network, and students with lived experience in commemorating Disability Pride Month with Disability Pride Flag raisings on each campus.
By raising the Disability Pride Flag, ECU reaffirms our dedication to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and equitable environment for all and to celebrate the spirit of diversity and unity that enriches our community.
The Disability Pride Flag raisings are open to all members of the ECU community, including staff, students, alumni, and community members. Please email equity@ecu.edu.au if you have access needs to participate. No registration needed.
Joondalup Campus
Monday, 1 July, 9:30AM start, Outside Building 31
Mount Lawley Campus
Monday, 1 July, 9:30AM start, Outside Building 15
South West Campus
Monday, 1 July, 11:15AM start, Kulbardi Court
Disabling to Enabling: How Disability Resource Groups Lead to Change
3 July, Online
Join keynote speaker Professor Paul Harpur from the University of Queensland, ECU's Professor Justin Brown, Dr Elizabeth Cook, Hanlie Du Plessis, and Rosie Lane from the Australian Disability Network to mark the launch of ECU's Staff with Disability Network.
Orientation Session for Students: Bites and Brushes - Mural Painting Drop-In
Join us for a drop-in session to help paint a mural celebrating ECU's diverse community during Disability Pride Month! Designed by ECU students and illustrated by Perth-based artist Carla Adams, this mural honours the variety of student experiences during Disability Pride Month.
Enjoy snacks and refreshments as you collaborate on this creative project. The sessions, facilitated by student peers, welcome students with disability, neurodivergent students, and allies to participate and share their stories through art.
The event is designed as a drop-in, allowing you to come and go as you please. Sensory support items will be available to ensure a comfortable and inclusive experience for all. Your participation is welcome at any time throughout the event. Please email equity@ecu.edu.au if you have access needs to participate.
Joondalup Campus
Thursday, 11 July 2024 from 1:00PM to 3:00PM
Tuesday, 16 July 2024 from 2:00PM to 4:00PM
Mount Lawley Campus
Wednesday 17 July 2024 from 2:00PM to 4:00PM
Please register through the Orientation Booking page.
Disability Pride Festival
Saturday, 27 July from 10:00AM to 6:00PM at ECU Mount Lawley
ECU has partnered with local disability advocates to host the Perth's inaugural Disability Pride Festival! The Festival will bring together disability community members for a celebration of identity, culture and community. Founded by disability advocate Isabella Choate, who was awarded the ECU Community Leadership Award in 2023, this event has been organised by people with disability, for people with disability.
The festival includes a market of disabled-owned businesses, lived experience panel discussions, food, art exhibitions, music, community chats and crafts.
Visit the Disability Pride Festival website for more information.
