July is Disability Pride Month💚💛❤️💙🤍🖤

This July we're also celebrating 36 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and uplifting disability as a vital part of human diversity. Disability Pride challenges stigma, honors lived experiences, and promotes access and inclusion — because having a disability is something to be proud of and is valued.

The Disability Pride flag represents:

❤️ Physical disabilities

💛 Neurodiversity

🤍 Invisible/undiagnosed disabilities

💙 Emotional/psychiatric disabilities

💚 Sensory disabilities

🖤 Faded Black background: mourning and rage for victims of ableist violence

Want to learn more? Check out campus events, courses in Critical Disability Studies, or get involved with orgs like Sign of Life, NAMI, Best Buddies, the DAU, and more.

Let’s celebrate disability pride this month and every day.

July is ADA’S 36th Anniversary: July 26, 2026 

ADA turns 36 this year, and here are some facts you should know.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed in 1990, was a landmark moment in U.S. civil rights history. It made it illegal to deny someone a job, education, or housing just because of a disability. But the ADA didn’t just happen. It was demanded. Activists crawled up the steps of the U.S. Capitol during the Capitol Crawl to fight for equal rights.

Today, the ADA protects people with both visible and invisible disabilities, including PTSD, ADHD, and diabetes. It also covers far more than physical spaces for access. Think about websites, apps, voice recognition, closed captioning, and screen readers. In fact, in 2022 alone, over 3,000 web accessibility lawsuits were filed under the ADA for being inaccessible to people with disabilities.

From the U.S. to international countries such as the U.K., Canada, and Australia, the ADA’s influence is global.
And yes, even Siri owes a thank you to the ADA.

Equal access isn’t extra. It’s essential. Access is inclusive excellence.

July 28 is World Hepatitis Day

World Hepatitis Day is observed each year on July 28 to raise awareness about viral hepatitis and encourage action to prevent, diagnose, and treat this often overlooked disease. According to the World Hepatitis Alliance, more than 287 million people worldwide are living with hepatitis B or C, yet many remain unaware of their infection due to the lack of symptoms in the early stages. Viral hepatitis affects different age groups depending on the specific virus. Acute hepatitis A peaks primarily in adults aged 30 to 49. Acute hepatitis B and hepatitis C disproportionately affect middle-aged adults, while chronic hepatitis C is most prevalent in young adults (20–39) and older adults (55–70). 

This year's World Hepatitis Day theme, "Let's Break It Down," focuses on breaking down the barriers that prevent people from accessing hepatitis prevention, testing, treatment, and care. Misinformation, stigma, limited awareness, and inequitable access to healthcare continue to stand in the way of eliminating hepatitis and improving health outcomes for millions of people worldwide.

You can take action by:
• Learning the facts about hepatitis and sharing accurate information with others
• Talking to a healthcare provider about hepatitis testing and vaccination
• Challenging stigma and misconceptions surrounding hepatitis
• Supporting efforts that expand access to prevention, treatment, and care services

Key facts to know include: hepatitis B and C are the leading causes of liver cancer, nearly two million new hepatitis infections occur each year, effective treatments are available for hepatitis B and C, and vaccination can prevent hepatitis B infection. With increased awareness, education, and access to care, hepatitis elimination is an achievable goal.

Together, we can break down barriers, reduce stigma, promote early detection and treatment, and work toward a future free from hepatitis.

July is National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month 

July is National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about cleft lip, cleft palate, and other craniofacial conditions while supporting individuals and families affected by these differences. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common birth differences in the United States, affecting thousands of children each year.

Cleft lip occurs when a baby’s upper lip does not fully form during early pregnancy, while cleft palate happens when the roof of the mouth does not close completely. These conditions can affect feeding, speech, hearing, dental development, and overall health. With early medical care, surgical treatment, and ongoing support, individuals with cleft and craniofacial conditions can and do live full, healthy, and successful lives.

It’s important to remember that cleft conditions don’t just affect babies—they continue into adulthood. Many adults live with the long-term effects, even if they’re less visibly recognized due to surgery or lack of awareness. We often only see images of infants when discussing cleft conditions, but adults with lived experience are just as important to highlight. Did you know several well-known public figures were born with a cleft lip or palate? Their stories help challenge stigma and show that this condition is more common—and more lived—than people realize.

National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month highlights the importance of education, early intervention, access to healthcare, and continued research. It also provides an opportunity to celebrate the strength and resilience of individuals living with craniofacial differences and to recognize the healthcare professionals, caregivers, and advocates who support them.

You can take action by:
• Learning about cleft lip, cleft palate, and craniofacial conditions and sharing accurate information
• Supporting organizations that provide resources, treatment, and advocacy for affected individuals and families
• Promoting understanding and inclusion for people with visible and invisible differences
• Encouraging access to prenatal care, early diagnosis, and specialized treatment services

Key facts to know include: cleft lip and palate develop early in pregnancy, these conditions can occur together or separately, a combination of genetic and environmental factors may contribute to their development, and early medical intervention can significantly improve health and quality of life outcomes.

Together, we can raise awareness, reduce stigma, support affected individuals and families, and promote access to the care and resources needed for every person to thrive.