Disability Pride Flag: How do you relate?
[The Disability Pride Flag]
The disability pride flag has so much symbolism!
It was created by Ann Magill, in consultation with others in the disability community.
This is an updated version, the original can be seen here. It was changed as it had a zigzag pattern, which represented how disabled people must move around and past barriers. along with very bright colours. In discussions with others, it was found to be a problem for some with epilepsy and migraines. So it was updated! That's part of disability inclusion, learning and adapting as needed!
This new one has desaturated colours for online use, but it is public domain and can be adjusted as needed, for example, textures can be used on physical flags for those who are blind and more vivid colours are also suggested for physical flags as they don't cause the same disturbances they do on screen.
The Grey/Black Field - A colour of mourning and rage, for those who are victims of ableist violence. Rebellion and protest.
Having all 6 Flag Colours - Signifies the Disability Community is pan-national, spanning borders between states and nations.
The 5 Colours Band - The variety of needs and experiences
Red - Bodily/physical disabilities, including pain and fatigue
Gold/Yellow - Neurodivergence (think chemical gold symbol Au for Autism)
White/Light Grey - Invisible and undiagnosed disablities
Blue - Mental/psychiatric disabilities
Green - Sensory disabilities
These stripes being in parallel - solidarity within the Disability Community
The 5 Stripe Bend Dextor - The disability community in solidarity, moving from the Canton, a place of honour, to the Fly, the wider world. This diagonal also represents cutting across barriers that separate disabled people, creativity and light cutting through darkness.
Source - Ann Magill, her blog and public posts on social media sites.
Which of these aspects do you relate to?
If none of the specific symbolism mentioned above resonates, raising the flag, raising us up counts too!
See the Disability Pride Masterpost for other activities this week!
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@AffyAvo
I absolutely love this, and I feel so happy to have learned about this today. I had no idea there was a disability pride flag and seeing the different symbolic meanings help me understand the importance of this flag. It is truly important to celebrate disability pride, whether or not you identify as a member of the community.
I would have to say the part of the flag that resonates with me most is the grey/black field.
I resonate with every color, but red is the most important one to me as it is what I struggle most with.
@AffyAvo
Wow, thank you for this post! I didn't know about the disability flag and the meanings of its colours, but I resonate with all of them. Happy pride month!
For the actual flag, red and white for me, followed by black.
Reading about getting the flag to this point though - Ann really liked the zigzags. She had a heard time eliminating them from the design. She struggled for a while trying to keep them in somehow that would work well. In the end though she was happier because not only is it more inclusive for people to look at, but it's also a simpler design to replicate so people can make physical flags, add textures, etc. I think there's a great metaphor in that too. Struggling to let go of things that aren't inclusive to my needs, simplifying things.
All colors relate to me but I just wish flag is more happy looking is not happy looking flag to me I wish is happy and have nice things on it but looks like sad flag to me
@theboymoana Do you think it would look happier with brighter colours? There are versions online like that, but the ones I can find are for selling items. You can also look at the linked old flag if you think it will be safe (my understanding is the epilepsy issue was moreso when scrolling, not just looking at a static image).
If you make the flag yourself you are welcome and encouraged to make it what you want it to be for you! So you can add glitter to the strips as one example.
@AffyAvo maybe brighter colors or make black part different color just I don’t think should look at other flag since I have epilepsy I don’t want it to hurt me if already hurt other people to and this one already make eyes feel weird but maybe I can make my own can make it happy looking !
This is a really great explanation of the symbolism of this meaningful flag. I identify with all the colours on some level, as I not only struggle with my own disAbilities, but also tended to both my dying parents for many years, who were both required wheelchairs, and also have two grown children, both who have exceptionalities. In honour of my brother who has Autism, I went into the field of disAbility activism, focusing at first on Deaf Community advocacy, then on Early Intervention for Children with Exceptionalities, became a Professor, taught for many years, am now semi retired and doing consulting and advocacy work. I prefer to focus on the Ability aspect of Exceptionalities, and I love the zig zag symbolism, as it seems like that is what my life path, and the life paths of many of us looks like, zig zagging to avoid obstacles, including the huge societal obstacle of Pity, but also the incredible barriers to Employment, and all the barriers to a Full and Happy life.
