Your public library is here to connect you with books, learning experiences, events, and online resources that celebrate people with disabilities and disability as an identity in July and all year long. On this page, you can:
- Browse: Curated title suggestions for all ages.
- Attend: Upcoming supported events for disabled people, their families, and the community, like the Disability Pride March & Rally on July 13.
- View: A special display in the Main Library Idea Box (July 1-31).
- Explore: Librarian-curated resources and more specifically for early learners and their caregivers.
- Learn: About accessibility and supported services at the library.
What is Disability Pride Month?
Disability Pride celebrates people with disabilities and disability as an identity, honoring the community and culture. The initiative aims to directly challenge systemic ableism and discrimination faced by those with a disability, centering disabled experiences.
Disability Pride means different things to different people: to honor early activists, recognition that their disability is intrinsic to their self, celebrating disability visibility in public spaces, and more. Learn more from disabled people and self-advocates on social media by searching #DisabilityPride and #DisabilityPrideMonth.
Browse titles we suggest
Plus, check out...
- Recently updated: Disability Reads: Books for kids with and without disabilities
- Films on Kanopy
- Dystinct Magazine, a resource for the families and educators of children and young people with learning difficulties
Join us for upcoming events
For all ages
2nd Annual Disability Pride March & Rally (all ages)
Saturday, July 13, Main Library
Disability Pride means different things to different people: honoring early activists, recognition that their disability is intrinsic to their self, a celebration of disability visibility in public spaces, and more. Let's celebrate disabled people and disability as an identity with a march around the Main Library and our plaza! This march is for disabled people and allies; a disability is not required to celebrate with us. Stay after for a rally to share your feelings and experiences, and participate in a disability empowerment sing-along with Dynamic Lynks. Join us before the march to create your own sign; supplies will be provided.
- Sign making: 9-11 am
- March & rally: 11 am-12 pm
For adults & teens
Hidden Disability Circle (adults with hidden/non-apparent disabilities)
Thursday, July 25, 7 pm, Main Library
This circle will be focused on healing. Examples of non-apparent disabilities include—but are not limited to—mental health, arthritis, diabetes, neurodivergence, hearing, and more. Peace circles are structured with equal opportunities to share, listen, and reflect. Registration suggested.
Wednesday Matinee Film Series (adults & teens)
Wednesdays, 1 pm, Main Library
Join us each Wednesday for an afternoon film screening at the Main Library! Registration suggested.
- July 3: Crip Camp. A groundbreaking summer camp for teens with disabilities proves so inspiring that a group of its alumni join the radical disability rights movement to advocate for historical legislation changes.
- July 17: Peanut Butter Falcon. This adventure begins when Zak, a young man with Down syndrome, runs away from a nursing home where he lives to chase his dream of becoming a professional wrestler and attending the wrestling school of The Salt Water Redneck, his idol. Through circumstances beyond their control, Tyler, a small-time outlaw on the run, becomes Zak's unlikely coach and ally.
- July 24: Everything Everywhere All At Once. When an interdimensional rupture threatens to unravel reality, the fate of the world is suddenly in the hands of a most unlikely hero: Evelyn, a flustered immigrant mother. As bizarre and bewildering dangers emerge from the many possible worlds, she must learn to channel her newfound powers and fight her way through the splintering timelines to save her home, her family, and herself.
Film Screening: Dislecksia: The Movie
Saturday, July 27, 11 am, Main Library
Get on board with Emmy award-winning filmmaker Harvey Hubbell V and his crew as they explore the unique nature of how each of us learn. Join Hubbell, dyslexic superstars Billy Bob Thornton and Joe Pantoliano, world-renowned brain scientists and researchers, students, and advocates as they join a movement to revolutionize education. Registration suggested.
Understanding ADHD & Autism (adults & teens)
Saturday, July 27, 2 pm, Main Library & virtual
When you think about autism or ADHD, do you picture a boy in a school? Are you or your neurodivergent family member looking for support to help explain your needs? Curious about neurodivergence in general? Books and media often only share one narrow way to be neurodivergent, when in fact there are infinite ways! Let's learn facts and dispel myths about autism and ADHD by listening to self-advocates of all ages. Presented by a neurodivergent librarian. This presentation will be presented in person and online via Zoom. A link to the recorded presentation will be sent to all registrants after the program. Registration suggested.
For kids
Disability Pride Shake, Rattle & Read (ages 0-8 with caregiver)
10-10:30 am
Join us for a special storytime to celebrate Disability Pride Month! We will share books about disabled characters and use schedules to support participant needs. Stay to make disability pride signs and join us in our pride march around the library and Scoville Park! This storytime is designed for one-on-one interactions between caregivers and children. Music and movement are paired in this big, joyful class. Get ready to sing and dance with your child! This event will be set up like a Supported Storytime. Registration requested.
- Tuesday, July 9, Lindberg Park
- Saturday, July 13, Main Library
- Friday, July 19, Dole Branch
Supported Developmental Playgroup (kids with disabilities ages 0-5 with caregiver)
Wednesday, July 10, 4 pm, Main Library
An inclusive drop-in playgroup for children who receive or are considering therapy services. Children play while families meet and find support. Siblings welcome. Each class is facilitated by a local volunteer therapist and a librarian. Presented in partnership with C.I.T.Y. of Support. This month, the facilitators are Haviva Siegal, Developmental/Physical Therapist, and Brandi Carson, Developmental and Music Therapist. Registration suggested.
Supported Storytime & Family Social Hour (kids with disabilities age 3+ with caregiver)
Thursdays, July 11, 18 & 25, 6:30 pm, Main Library
Classes are structured with visual schedules and include fun picture books and songs, with fine and gross motor movement activities. Sensory supports like lap weights and fidget toys are available to help children be successful. Siblings welcome. Stay after class for fun activities and opportunities to chat with other parents and families! Registration suggested.
Disability Pride Button Making (grades K-5)
Friday, July 12, 4 pm, Main Library
Drop in to make some great new disability pride and ally-themed pin-back buttons to decorate your backpack! Use our art or make your own, all supplies provided. Registration suggested.
Supported Sensory Exploration (ages 5-10 & their siblings)
Tuesday, July 16, 4 pm, Main Library
Join us for an hour of hands-on, independent sensory exploration and activities, especially for kids with sensory processing disorders and/or disabilities. Registration suggested.
Supported Gardening (kids with disabilities age 3+ & their siblings)
Monday, July 29, 10 am, Maze Branch Library
Gardening helps build strong bodies and minds! This season, we will be growing a Victory Garden with herbs and vegetables that we will harvest, turn some into snacks, and donate the rest to Beyond Hunger. Visual schedules and sensory supports will be provided. Every class, we will read a gardening book, tend the garden, and make a gluten and dairy-free recipe to try. Weather permitting. Registration suggested.
Make Your Own Sensory Fidgets (grades K-5)
Wednesday, July 31, 4 pm, Main Library
Keeping your body busy so your brain can focus is an important self-regulation skill for a lot of kids! Drop in and make some fidgets that work best for your needs. Registration suggested.
View a special display in the Idea Box
July 1-31, we will be exploring disability culture, community, and advocacy for Disability Pride Month in the Idea Box.
Explore librarian-curated resources
For all ages
For kids & caregivers
Activities, videos & more
- Disability Pride Month: Activities for early learners and caregivers
- Tips for planning a successful library trip with a new virtual tutorial
- Autism Acceptance Month
- Down Syndrome & AAC Awareness Months
- On-demand supported storytime and activity videos
Kits to check out
- Social-Emotional Learning Kits are a unique, one-of-a-kind resource combining books, open-ended questions, and more based on a theme, designed for caregivers to share with early learners and grade schoolers. Borrow the Supported Gardening Kit »
- Book Bundles are themed groups of books that come in a handy carrying case. Check out the Disability Pride book bundle »
Learn about accessibility & supported services at the library
- Library buildings are ADA-compliant, and supports are available for successful library visits.
- Access and inclusion are driving forces behind our work: Resources, services, and programs designed specifically to support disabled people and available to all
