Disability Pride

by Zoe Partington

Image Description: The wording reads on the artwork. 'Disability Pride'- in pink neon lights in a stylised handwritten font The neon words are framed inside a transparent perspex box.

Medium: neon glass tube lights/ surrounded by a Perspex box with electric plug in.

Depth: 80mm, Height: 600mm, Length: 2375mm

Weight: 49lbs 10oz (22.51kg)

Installed at Eccleston Community Library, St Helens

Disability Pride originated in the United States in 1990, when the first Disability Pride Day was held in Boston. The event was held to mark the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Celebrating Disability with Pride is an integral part of human diversity, “Disability Pride” encourages disabled individuals to take pride in their identities, challenging stigma and promoting self-acceptance. “Disability Pride” has been designed on T-shirts and banners and in the UK became widely used by disabled artist, musician and writer Johnny Crescendo.

Why is disability culture important? Disabled people have a forged group identity. We share a common history of oppression and a common bond of resilience. We generate art, music, literature, and other expressions of our lives and our culture, infused from our experience of disability.