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Bronx, NY – On Tuesday, July, 9th, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson was joined by her Bronx Disability Advisory Council; the Founder and Director of Disability Unite, Matt Axel; Commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services, James Hendon; Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, Christina Curry; and others, to host the 2nd Annual Disability Pride Month Celebration held in July to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. With July declared Disability Pride Month by then Mayor Bill DeBlasio in 2015, the month has since served as an opportunity to raise awareness, generate support, and advocate for services for New York City’s disabled community.
“We were proud to launch Disability Pride Month at Borough Hall in partnership with Disability Unite and our Disability Advisory Council,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “We are intentional in this work to provide access and opportunities for our residents living with disabilities. From employment to housing, transit access, education, job training, and investments in our infrastructure, our team is committed to making our borough more accessible for our residents and their families. Earlier this year, we hosted a job fair at Borough Hall for Bronxites living with disabilities, announced capital funding for a sensory lab in partnership with Majority Leader Farias to prepare our scholars for life outside the classroom, and currently working on other initiatives alongside our Disability Advisory Council with a focus on equity and inclusion. Thank you to our community partners and participants for attending and participating in this year`s Disability Pride Month celebration.”
“Our shared sense of community and allyship is the strongest weapon we have in our fight for equity and inclusion,” said Matt Axel, Director of Disability Unite. “The disability community is vast, not only in New York, but around the world and when united, we can solve any problem and create the change that’s needed. It is through our connection as a community that we will find that unity together.”
With over 15 organizations participating, resources and tools were available specifically geared towards enhancing and improving the quality of life for all that attended. Among the sponsors were Essen Health Care; Essen House Calls; VOTE NYC; Women on Wheels; Fidelis Care; James J. Peters VA Medical Center; U.S. Small Business Administration; CUNY STEPS 2; DISRUPT; Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY); Brox Vet Center; Disability Rights NYC; Women on Wheels; AHRC NYC; Bronx Independent Living Services, (BILS); Mayor’s Office to End Domestic Violence; Disability Rights NYC; Morris Heights Health Center (MHHC); Disability In Action (DIA); Guns Down, Life Up; Oak Street Health Care Center; Bronx Transition and College Access Center (Bronx TCAC, NYCPS); and others.