The Impact of Those We Remember

During July, we celebrate Disability Pride Month: A time to recognize the identity and community of individuals with disabilities. July marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a historical civil rights law implemented just 36 years ago that inspired this month of acknowledgement. This year’s theme, “The World Works Better With Us,” reminds us of the countless hours individuals with disabilities have spent advocating and inventing for themselves and their communities. Through their advances, many have prospered. 

The Disability Pride Flag, created by Ann Magill, is designed to represent with its six colors six important groups within the disabled community: 

• (Red) Physical disabilities
• (Gold) Neurodiversity
• (White) Non-visible and undiagnosed disabilities
• (Blue) Psychiatric and emotional disabilities
• (Green) Sensory disabilities
• (Charcoal Gray) To honor those who’ve passed from ableism, neglect, and eugenics

For years, these groups have been full of influential entrepreneurs, scientists, and physicians who’ve worked to bring us together and make our world stronger. Take for example:

Ralph Braun

CEO and founder of the Braun Corporation, Ralph Braun was the man behind the motorized scooter: Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and wheelchair bound as a teenager, Braun manufactured his own motorized vehicles at the age of 15 and went on to create the first motorized scooter in 1963. Motorized scooters are now used by over 800,000 people in America alone.

Temple Grandin

Ethologist (non-human animal studies), author, and inventor, Temple Grandin was one of the most influential figures in the humane treatment of animals and livestock. She was also one of the first adults to publicly disclose her autism diagnosis: Beginning in 1986, Grandin wrote several books on her experience as a person with autism, bridging the gap between the neurodiverse and neurotypical communities. In 2010, Grandin was named in Time’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world and was the subject of golden-globe winning biographical film Temple Grandin.

Geerat Vermeji

Vermeji is a Dutch-born evolutionary biologist who specializes in marine life. Blind from the age of three and inspired by his schoolteacher’s shells, he began using his sense of touch in place of sight to study seashell and mollusk morphology. Vermeji now has over three hundred academic publications, has authored five books, and was elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2021.

The accomplishments of these incredible figures ring out in our minds and hearts when we celebrate Disability Pride Month: Their journey, hardship, and success encourage us all to become the best and brightest versions of ourselves. So no matter what difficulties await, we will fight for diversity and celebrate ourselves and our communities—because the world really does work better when everyone is included.