To: Delrico J. Loyd, Governmental Operations Committee Chairperson
From: Jerome Threlkeld, Organizational Development Coordinator
title
RE: Approval of a resolution recognizing July 2026 as Disability Pride Month in Genesee County
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of a resolution recognizing July 2026 as Disability Pride Month in Genesee County
BACKGROUND:
One of the Genesee County Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commission’s goals is to enhance the county’s reputation for being welcoming to all.
DISCUSSION:
Members of the Genesee County Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commission met with The Disability Network to co-curate this resolution being proposed to the Genesee County Board of Commissioners
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
Inclusive, Collaborative Culture - Members of the Genesee County Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commission met with community members to co-curate this resolution being proposed to the Genesee County Board of Commissioners.
.TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
WHEREAS, the United States and individual states across the nation have recognized July as Disability Pride Month, which commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990, and was first celebrated as a month dedicated to recognizing people with disabilities, their culture, and contributions in July 2015 upon the 25th anniversary of the Act’s signing; and
WHEREAS, Disability Pride Month is also intended to recognize that disability is part of the natural variation of life and not something to be shunned or stigmatized, while also acknowledging that people with disabilities still face barriers to full access and participation in parts of society; and
WHEREAS, the local Americans with Disabilities Act annual celebration will take place on Friday, July 24, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library, hosted by The Disability Network; and
WHEREAS, Genesee County has local organizations dedicated to advancing opportunity for people with disabilities including The Disability Network, which supports and empowers people with disabilities to live independently in Genesee County through person-centered services, advocacy, and collaboration and Project SEARCH, which is an international program for individuals with disabilities aged 18 to 26 who work towards competitive, integrated employment; and
WHEREAS, The Disability Network, as a Center for Independent Living, is a community-based, nonprofit organization designed and operated by and for individuals with disabilities, dedicated to advancing independence, equity, and inclusion by advocating for policies that improve accessibility and opportunity, raising public awareness and understanding of disability-related issues, and collaborating with local governments, agencies, and organizations to strengthen services and supports for individuals with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, disability rights pioneers such as Judy Heumann, who led the historic 1977 Section 504 Sit-ins and co-founded the World Institute on Disability in 1983, and Ed Roberts, recognized as the father of the Independent Living Movement and the first severely disabled student admitted to the University of California, Berkeley in 1962, helped transform disability rights, accessibility, and independent living opportunities across the United States; and
WHEREAS, modern disability advocates and storytellers, including Alice Wong, founder of the Disability Visibility Project in 2014, and Haben Girma, the first Deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School in 2013, continue to advance disability culture, digital accessibility, inclusive design, and the representation of lived experiences through advocacy, education, and media; and
WHEREAS, intersectional leaders and emerging voices such as Vilissa Thompson, founder of Ramp Your Voice! in 2012, and Imani Barbarin, a nationally recognized disability advocate and communicator, continue to elevate conversations surrounding race, gender, accessibility, and disability justice while empowering historically underrepresented communities; and
WHEREAS, people with disabilities of all kinds have always been important members of our human family and have made contributions to every sector of government, science, law, business, education, and civil society both in Genesee County and across the country.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, hereby recognizes the month of July 2026 as Disability Pride Month in Genesee County and encourages all county departments to engage in celebratory activities and appropriate recognitions, such as participation in community events, sharing stories, and learning about people with disabilities and the contributions they have made to our county and nation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Genesee County Clerk/Register is directed to provide one copy of this Resolution to each city, village, and township within Genesee County and to each County Clerk in the State of Michigan.