Chicago's 12th Annual Disability Pride Parade on Saturday July 18, 2015

information will be updated as available from the Disability Pride Parade.

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Parade steps off promptly at 11 a.m. Post-parade program at Daley Plaza begins at 12:30 PM.

Parade Route: 

• West on Van Buren to Dearborn Street
• Turn North on Dearborn Street
• March to Daley Plaza at Washington Street

25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

It’s a great year to celebrate. 2015 is the 25 th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the landmark civil rights law passed in 1990 by a coalition of determined people with disabilities and allies. The Disability Pride Parade is pleased to be part of Chicagoland’s ADA 25 effort, supported by the Chicago Community Trust.

2015 Parade Marshal: U.S. Senator Tom Harkin

This year, our Grand Marshal is U.S. Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa, a great champion of the ADA and a tremendous champion of people with disabilities everywhere. Senator Harkin just retired from the U.S. Senate last year. He has many times given moving and personal testimony about his personal investment in disability rights as the brother of a Deaf man. Over the course of the last forty years, Senator Harkin has proven time and again that he is a singularly committed ally and friend to us all. We are so excited to have Senator Harkin with us this year!

ROAD TO FREEDOM Bus Tour

We will also be hosting the ADA Legacy Tour’s Road to Freedom Bus! This bus has traveled all over the U.S. teaching people about the ADA and serving as a rallying point for disability communities nationwide. Bring your family and friends and help them learn all about the ADA!

July 17: Annual Disability Pride Parade Open Mic

Don’t forget, we will also be hosting the annual Disability Pride Open Mic Night on the evening of Friday, July 17. We will post more details about this soon.

Justin Dart Puppet to March in Parade

Finally, we will once again be hosting the Justin Dart Puppet. This is an amazing, larger-than-life puppet of “The Father of the ADA.” A creation of the Matrix Theater in Detroit, people of all ages will enjoy seeing Justin and his cowboy hat out on the streets of Chicago, continuing to fight for disability rights.

March or Sponsor the Parade...

Remember, the Parade is for anyone who wants to come out and celebrate disability pride. Let’s make the POWER happen!

To MARCH in the parade; or SPONSOR the parade, please visit:

Disability Pride Parade website, visit: http://www.disabilityprideparade.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1396907207297130/

Parade participants should schedule their PARATRANSIT DROP-OFFS at 401 S. Plymouth Court, the intersection of
South Plymouth Court and West Van Buren where the parade starts.

PICK-UPS after the event will be at Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington) where the parade ends.

YouTube published by criticalends
video info: Uploaded on May 7, 2010

Disability Pride is a film about a community fighting to be seen and heard, to be acknowledged as able and proud.

The film weaves 'on the street' interviews with verite footage of the 6th Annual Disability Pride Parade in 2009 to convey human experiences that promote the belief that disability is a natural part of human diversity and can take pride in its heritage and culture.

The parade, held every year in Chicago, is the first of its kind in the world and people travel far and wide to attend the event. The next parade is on July 24, 2010 and the filmmaker's hope that this film can persuade more people to attend and show their support for Disability Rights.