The landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990, prohibits discrimination based on abilities and protects the rights of individuals with disabilities in areas such as transportation and building accessibility. For Disability Pride Month, the Library offers a collection of books, films, and other resources that celebrate the rich array of stories and experiences of people living with disabilities.

Reading Lists

Explore a range of titles that reflect the voices of those with disabilities – memoirs, historical accounts, fiction, young adult novels, and more.
 

Events

Blindness Community Changemakers: An Alphapointe Film Premiere and Conversation

Tuesday, July 26, 2022 | 6:30 p.m.
Plaza Branch | 4801 Main St.

Former New York Gov. David Paterson, blind since childhood, is the subject of the first episode of Alphapointe’s Foresight, a video and podcast series that explores the past, present, and future of vision loss through discussions with changemakers in the blindness community.

After a premiere screening of a portion of Foresight, KSHB-TV reporter Rae Daniel moderates a short discussion by Paterson (joining virtually), Kansas City Area Transportation Authority President and CEO Robbie Makinen, and crisis communications consultant David Westbrook about the challenges and successes of living with vision loss.

Bookmobile at the 32^nd Anniversary of the ADA

Tuesday, July 26, 2022 | 10 a.m. to Noon
The Whole Person | 3710 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64111

Our bookmobile joins local nonprofit The Whole Person for its community celebration marking the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act . The Library offers book giveaways and, games, and connects attendees with Library services.
 

Films

Online video streaming service Kanopy includes a collection of documentaries, dramas, comedies, and other films that showcase the experiences and voices of people with disabilities. All are free to watch with your library card.
 

About the Disabilty Pride Flag

Created by artist Ann Magill, the Disability Pride Flag first entered into the public domain in 2019. Magill's original design featured a lightning bolt motif and bright colors on a black background. But after receiving feedback from disability communities, she redesigned elements of the flag in 2021. Among the changes were more muted colors to reduce eye strain and allow those with some vision impairment to better distinguish between the colors and hues. The new flag incorporates elements symbolizing different aspects of the disability experience.
 

• All six "standard" flag colors: Signifies that disability communities span borders between states and nations
• Black Field: Mourning for victims of ableist violence and abuse
• Diagonal Band: "Cutting across" the walls and barriers that separate the disabled from society
• Red Stripe: Physical disabilities
• Gold Stripe: Neurodivergence
• White Stripe: Invisible and undiagnosed disabilities
• Blue Stripe: Psychiatric disabilities
• Green Stripe: Sensory disabilities