Disability flag

The flag is intended to represent people with disabilities, their struggle for rights, and related concepts including the disability pride movement and the Paralympic Games.[3][1]

The flag is a tricolour with three equally sized horizontal stripes of gold, silver, and bronze. These colours are meant to evoke the three metals of medals at the Paralympic Games. It is important to emphasize that this should not be confused with a competitive and meritocratic sentiment related to the event itself. These colors represent the collective's overcoming in the face of the discriminatory adversities imposed by society, the victory of new rights achieved for the collective, and a celebration of increased awareness of inequality.[4][5] These issues are raised and defended by various activists of the Disability Pride movement.

According to Eros Recio,[6]the three colors represent the different forms of disability. It is important to recognize that the meanings of these colors are decided by the collective community it represents.

On December 3, 2017, at the United Nations' International Day of Persons with Disabilities, parliamentarians from Latin American countries gathered in a plenary assembly in Peru.[7] By acclamation, they declared the Flag to be the symbol of all people with disabilities. On the same day, the flag was handed over to the European headquarters of the United Nations.[1][8] Many Spanish cities and municipalities show the Disability Flag on the International Day of People with Disabilities. In 2018, the flag was shown in the city of Santa Cruz de La Palma on the Canary Island of La Palma.[9] On December 3, 2018, the flag was adopted by the "Foment d'Esportistes amb Reptes" (FER), an Olympic and Paralympic sports organization in Spain.[2][10]

Disability Pride Flag represents the Disability Pride Movement, designed by Ann Magill. See Disability Pride Parades

This flag represents the Disability Pride Movement. Its origin is from English-speaking countries, where the movement's presence is greater. This flag was created to be used during specific events related to this movement.[11] Certain events and celebrations include Disability Pride Month, Disability Pride Week, and the parades for both events respectively.

The movement has its roots in pride awareness events for other minority communities. The concept and design of the Disability Pride Flag were also inspired and influenced by social movements such as the LGBT+ community, LGBT pride, and Black pride.

The first Disability Pride Parade in the United States was held in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1990. Since then, disabled pride parades have spread to many parts of the United States.[12] They also spread to other countries such as Norway, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and Germany.

The Chicago Disability Pride Parade outlines these goals in its statement:

• Change the way people think and define "disability".

• Breaking and ending internalized shame among people with disabilities.

• Promote the idea in society that disability is a natural and fundamental part of human diversity that people living with disabilities can be proud of.[13]

These ideas were an inspiration to make a flag that represented the collective in a universal and globalized way, not just to be used at Disability Pride events.

The rainbow-colored infinity symbol represents the diversity of the autism spectrum as well as the greater neurodiversity movement.[14]

According to Eros Recio, the flag is designed with the colors of three metals: gold, silver, and bronze. These are meant to represent the three of the main types of disability: physical, mental (intellectual or psychosocial) and sensory.[8] The flag and its design have a general nature, meaning that each color does not exclusively represent a specific type of disability, but rather all of them as a whole. Nor does it mean that it excludes other forms of disability other than the three mentioned, such as visceral disability, or multiple disabilities. It is important to mention that no color is considered more important than another.[15][16]

On December 12, 2019, Eros Recio participated in an official act of the Great College of Silk Art of Valencia, in which a Disability Flag made of silk was added to the exhibition. On this occasion, Recio reiterated his statement in a speech that this flag represents all people with disabilities.[17][18]

Es un gran orgullo que la institución del Colegio del Arte Mayor de la Seda, que en su día fue el motor industrial de toda la Valencia, haya solemnizado la bandera con la seda genuina de nuestra tradición más arraigada. Con esta bandera vamos a dar al mundo un mensaje de inclusión, solidaridad y libertad. Muchas gracias en nombre de todas las personas con discapacidad del planeta.

It is great pride that the institution of the Great College of Silk Art, which in its day was the industrial engine of all of Valencia, has solemnized the flag with the genuine silk of our most deeply rooted tradition. With this flag, we are going to give the world a message of inclusion, solidarity and freedom. Thank you very much on behalf of all disabled people on the planet.

— Eros Recio[19]

During the act, the incorporation of a new definition for the flag is mentioned: "Flag of Overcoming". The reason for this is to highlight the vindictive character of the term "disability" and avoid possible social segregation that is typical of Ableism.[20]

In addition, some small banners have been given in recognition of this social work to Vicente Genovés, President of the Great College of Silk Art; José María Chiquillo, President of the UNESCO Silk Routes International Network,[21] representatives of organizations of people with disabilities such as the Roig Alfonso Foundation or Aspaym CV, and the writer Carmen Carrasco.[22]

• Disability
• Disability Pride Parades
• Disability rights movement
• Disability in the arts
• Mad Pride
• People-first language
• United Nations' International Day of Persons with Disabilities