Hey John -- this month we're celebrating Disability Pride Month.

On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. It became the first major bipartisan effort to fight for equality for people with disabilities.

Disability Pride Month celebrates the passage of the first civil rights law for those enduring the consequences of systemic ableism. This month is a reminder that people with disabilities are valued and heard, and that their disabilities are unique elements of their identities that should be celebrated.

People with disabilities are the largest and most diverse minority within the population, representing all abilities, ages, races, ethnicities, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds.

Despite that, many disabled people, including young people, are exposed on a regular basis to ableism. Ableism is the discrimination of and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior. As of 2020, there were 67.7 million eligible voters who either identified as disabled themselves, or had a household member with a disability -- more than one-fourth of the total electorate. Although every in-person polling location is required to provide inclusive accommodations under the American Disabilities Act (ADA), a reported 60 percent of polling places were inaccessible to voters with disabilities (as of 2016).

That means when state and local governments across the country try to pass voter suppression laws that limit vote-by-mail and absentee voting, many voters with disabilities are not able to make their voices heard in their elections.

Making the ballot box more accessible is critical to fair and free elections.

Voter suppression laws are inherently ableist and we have to fight back.

Here's what you can do this Disability Pride Month (and beyond): Educate yourself about ableism and the disabled community, look up #DisabilityPride on Instagram and TikTok to hear the experiences of a wide range of disabled people, and call on your elected officials to pass the For the People Act!

Every call helps determine whether or not YOUR senators will take action to make the ballot box more accessible ⬇️

CALL YOUR SENATORS

Passing the For the People Act provides voters the flexibility to take the necessary time to cast their ballot ahead of Election Day, grants voters the opportunity to vote without navigating inaccessible transportation options and polling places, and gives voters the opportunity to cast their ballot without increasing their risk of getting sick.

Happy Disability Pride Month!

When We All Vote