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 on July 15.
- View: A special display in the Main Library Idea Box (through July 26).
- 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...
- New: Disability Reads: Books for kids with and without disabilities »
- Films: Stream now on Kanopy »
- Dystinct Magazine: Check it out on Media on Demand/Libby »
Join us for upcoming events
For all ages
Disability Pride March (all ages)
Saturday, July 15, 11-11:45 am, Main Library Lobby. Let's celebrate disabled people and disability as an identity with a march around the Main Library and Scoville Park! This march is for disabled people and allies; a disability is not required to celebrate with us. 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. Register now »
And join us before the march to create your own sign; supplies will be provided:
- Friday, July 14, Main Library Storytime Room. Register now »
- Saturday, July 15: 10-11 am, Main Library Lobby. Register now »
- Saturday, July 15: 10-10:30 am, Main Library Storytime Room. Register now »
For adults & teens
Normalizing Neurodivergence
Saturday, July 8, 2:30-3:30 pm, Main Library Veterans Room. When you think about autism or ADHD, do you picture a boy in a school? Books and media often only share one narrow way to be neurodivergent, when in fact there are an infinity of 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. Register now »
Film Screening & Discussion: Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution
Saturday, July 22, 2:30-4:30 pm, Main Library Veterans Room. Watch the 2020 American documentary film directed, written, and co-produced by Nicole Newnham and James LeBrecht. Barack and Michelle Obama served as executive producers under their Higher Ground Productions banner. Crip Camp starts in 1971 at Camp Jened, a summer camp in New York described as a "loose, free-spirited camp designed for teens with disabilities. The film focuses on those campers who turned themselves into activists for the disability rights movement and follows their fight for accessibility legislation. Register now »
Hidden Disability Circle
Sunday, July 23, 2-4 pm, Main Library Veterans Room. This circle for adults with hidden/non-apparent disabilities will be focused on healing. Peace circles are structured with equal opportunities to share, listen, and reflect. Register now »
Film Screening & Discussion: This Is Not About Me
Saturday, July 29, 2:30-4 pm, Main Library Veterans Room. What is it like to be autistic and non-speaking in a world that has already made up its mind about you? This Is Not About Me tells the story of Jordyn Zimmerman. Jordyn dreamt of becoming a teacher. She started out eager to learn at school, but she was soon separated from the other children. Unable to communicate, teachers thought she was also unable to understand or learn. Year after year, her behavior worsened. She was restrained and placed in seclusion. Jordyn found herself caught in a system that unintentionally turned her life into a living nightmare. Finally, at the age of 18, with the help of educators who see her differently, she manages to turn her fate and flourish. Registrants will receive a link to watch the film for 30 days after the screening by registering on Kinema. Register now »
For kids
Supported Storytime (ages 3+ with caregiver)
Tuesdays, July 11, 18 & 25, 1:30-2 pm, Main Library Storytime Room. Designed for children with disabilities ages 3+ with caregiver support. 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. Register now »
Disability Pride Shake, Rattle & Read (ages 0-8 with caregiver)
Saturday, July 15, 10-10:30 am, Main Library Storytime Room. 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 up to age 8. 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. Register now »
Miniseries Screening: El Deafo (ages 5-11)
Monday, July 17, 3-4:30 pm, Main Library Storytime Room. Starting a new school is scary, even more so with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest. View the miniseries based on Cece Bell's autobiographical award-winning graphic novel. The three episodes total 90 minutes. Best for kids 5-11. Register now »
Supported Gardening (kids with disabilities age 3+ & their siblings)
Wednesdays, July 19 & August 9, 10-11 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. Register now »
Inclusive Dance Workshop (ages 5-11)
Monday, July 24, 3:30-4:30 pm, Main Library Storytime Room. This Inclusive Dance Workshop is a community-led gathering for movers of all kinds! Join us for an afternoon of creative movement where children will be invited to develop and explore their own dances by a team of disabled and non-disabled dance professionals. All bodies, minds, and experience levels are welcome! Register now »
View a special display in the Idea Box
This month, we are exploring disability culture, community, and advocacy for Disability Pride Month in the Idea Box. Check it out through July 26 »
Explore librarian-curated resources
For all ages
For kids & caregivers
Activities, videos & more
- Disability Pride Month: Activities for early learners & caregivers »
- Get tips for planning a successful library trip with a new virtual tutorial »
- Honor Autism Awareness Month »
- Celebrate Down Syndrome & AAC Awareness Months »
- Watch more on-demand supported storytime and activity videos »
Kits to check out
- Social-Emotional Learning Kits: 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: 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. Find out more about what support is available where »
- Access and inclusion are driving forces behind our work. Find resources, services, and programs designed specifically to support disabled people and available to all »
