WHEREAS, July is observed as National Disability Pride Month to commemorate the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July 1990; and

WHEREAS, the ADA is one of the most significant civil rights laws in history as it prevents discrimination based on disability, requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, and ensures that public accommodations meet accessibility requirements; and

WHEREAS, Disability Pride Month is focused on reshaping false negative perceptions about people with disabilities, educating communities about ableism, disability bias, and discrimination; and, empowering the disability community to redefine their identity and self-worth; and

WHEREAS, the Disability Rights Movement has a long history in Salt Lake City, including the establishment of the Utah State Library for the Blind and Disabled in 1931 which houses the largest Braille library in the world and hosting the opening ceremonies to the first Winter Paralympics in the United States in 2002, marking the first time Paralympic athletes competed in the Winter Games in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office, Salt Lake City Council, Salt Lake City Accessibility and Disability Commission, and several local organizations including the Disability Law Center, Disabled Rights Action Committee, Epilepsy Foundation of Utah, National Federation of the Blind of Utah, Utah Independent Living Center, Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, and many others provide support and advocacy for persons with disabilities.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Erin Mendenhall, Mayor of Salt Lake City, proclaim July 2022, as:

Disability Pride Month in Salt Lake City

To view an electronic copy of the signed proclamation, click here.