Written by Mackenzie Manley, Content Specialist, Downtown Main Library
Disability Pride Month, observed each July, marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and celebrates disability identity and community. 2026’s theme is “The World Works Better with Us.”
Explore the stories, people, and experiences that shape Disability Pride Month with help from the Library.
Featured People
William “Dummy” Hoy played for several teams between 1888 to 1902, including the Cincinnati Reds. Known as the first and most accomplished deaf player in Major League Baseball history, he is credited for having introduced hand signals for calling balls and strikes to umpires. He had 1,400 runs and 2,000 hits during his career.
Alice Wong was an American disability rights activist and writer dedicated to amplifying the experiences of the disabled community. Born in Indianapolis with spinal muscular atrophy, Alice stopped walking at age seven or eight. Later, she moved to San Francisco, California, where she received a master’s in medical sociology. Her work includes Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life, as well as being the editor of collected works like Disability Visibility: First Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century and Disability Intimacy: Essays on Love, Care, and Desire. She was a 2013 Obama appointee to the National Council on Disability and 2024 MacArthur Fellow.
Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Mary Verdi-Fletcher became the first professional wheelchair dancer in the United States. In 1980, she founded her own non-profit dance company: Dancing Wheels, which works with 6,500 children a year in Greater Cleveland and Akron schools. Mary has performed in over 60 ballets and repertory works. She has also received a Governor’s Award for Arts Education in Ohio and Ohio Dance Award for her contributions in 2014.
Featured Events
CHPL hosts several events for individuals with disabilities, including North Central Branch Library’s monthly Bright Connections Club, which is held every first Thursday at 11 a.m. Similarly, the Green Township Branch Library’s Connect with Friends is held every second Monday at 10:30 a.m.
Every Monday at 11:30 a.m., the Greenhills Branch Library hosts an Adult Storytime for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Enjoy a storytime featuring books, music, and other activities.
The Norwood Branch Library hosts a monthly Sensory Open House for Families with Special Needs. On Friday, July 17 from 6:30-8 p.m., explore crafts, games, and more, along with music from the May Festival MiNiS and Tales to Tails reading dogs.
Join the Contemporary Arts Center for an Art Lab for Adults with Developmental Disabilities. Stop by the Forest Park Branch Library on Tuesday, July 21 at 10 a.m. to participate in hands-on art making, learn about contemporary artists, and take home an extended learning sheet with tips and resources for building on what you’ve discovered.
Disability Pride Month Oral Histories
Last year, the Library partnered with Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services to tell the stories of disability achievements, challenges, and policy changes. Hear interviews with disability advocates Robert Shuemak and Diana Mairose and their impact on the Cincinnati disability community. Both interviews were conducted by Clarity Amrein, community content coordinator.
My Life
My Life is a quarterly magazine created by and for people with disabilities — and you can find it at the Library. Magazines are distributed to the Downtown Main Library, Deer Park, Blue Ash, Anderson, Monfort Heights, Oakley, College Hill, Mt. Healthy, and Mariemont branches. Along with picking up a physical copy, you can also read articles digitally via HCDDS’ website or listen to an audio version.
Mackenzie Manley is currently reading “The Disaster Tourist” by Yun Ko-Eun.
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