Recognizing June 2016 as Disability Pride Month in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment, a condition experienced by approximately 56.7 million Americans — or 19 percent of the population — according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau statistics; and

WHEREAS, Conditions such as senility or neurocognitive impairment, blindness or seeing impairment, deafness or hearing impairment, and movement impairment have historically elicited a mix of indifference, hostility, shame, and intolerance; and

WHEREAS, This year marks the 26th Anniversary of passage of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodations, commercial facilities, telecommunications, and state and local government services; and

WHEREAS, The ADA has raised awareness of the abilities of individuals with disabilities and has resulted in great progress, which can be seen in everyday life through curb cuts, communication access, accessible buildings and transportation; and

WHEREAS, Disability Pride Parades are held annually to celebrate people with disabilities and to change the way people think about and define disability, to end the stigma of disability, and to promote the belief that disability is a natural and beautiful part of human diversity in which people living with disabilities can take pride; and

WHEREAS, Along with Philadelphia, Disability Pride Parades have been held in a number of places across the United States, including Silicon Valley/Santa Clara County, Chicago, Colorado Springs, Houston, Atlanta, Detroit, New Jersey, and Columbus, as well as around the world in locations such as South Korea, Norway, and the U.K.; and

WHEREAS, This coming Saturday, June 11th, Philadelphia’s 5th Annual Disability Pride Parade & Celebration will start at National Constitution Center at 10 am with opening ceremonies, then parade down East Market Street to City Hall and Dilworth Park, and feature several performances from local artists including Spin Choir, Johnny Crescendo, Gooch and the Motion, and The Danie Ocean Band; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby proclaim June 2016 as Disability Pride Month in the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of Disability Pride Parade & Celebration.

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