Jul 22, 2026

Acting Governor Rivas proclaims Disability Pride Month

SACRAMENTO – Acting Governor Robert Rivas today issued a proclamation declaring July 2026 as “Disability Pride Month” in the State of California.

The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below:

Screenshot of an official California state proclamation document with a blue border, headed "Executive Department, State of California" and titled "Proclamation."  The text explains that California is joining in recognizing July as Disability Pride Month, celebrating people with disabilities across a range of visible and invisible conditions. It notes that the month marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law on July 26, 1990, describing it as a landmark civil rights law that removed barriers in employment, transportation, and public services. The document states that California has millions of adults with disabilities and provides disability services to many children in schools, and describes the state's ongoing efforts to expand opportunities and accessibility for people with disabilities.  The proclamation concludes with a formal declaration by Robert Rivas, Acting Governor of California, proclaiming July 2026 as "Disability Pride Month," dated July 22, 2026, with a handwritten signature. It is attested by Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., with a state seal image at the bottom of the page.

PROCLAMATION

California joins communities around the nation in recognizing July as Disability Pride Month, an opportunity to celebrate the many ways that people living with disabilities — whether visible or invisible, mobility or cognitive, vision or hearing, learning or sensory, developmental or acquired — add to the diversity and strength of our state.

Observed in July, Disability Pride Month marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a major civil rights milestone signed into law on July 26, 1990. Sponsored by California Congressman Tony Coelho, the ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, removing barriers to employment, transportation, public services and other critical areas.

California is home to more than 7 million adults with disabilities and provides one in seven kids with disability services in schools. For decades, California has been instrumental in driving inclusion and integration of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. With the Newsom administration, the California Legislature is working to expand educational opportunities, employment options, health and homecare access, civil rights, and community living for people of all ages with disabilities. The state also continues to prioritize accessibility of all state services and is deepening our commitment to employment opportunities for people with disabilities within state service.

Diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility are integral parts of our ongoing work to build a California for all. As we celebrate Disability Pride Month, let us reflect on the essential contributions of people with disabilities to our communities, our state, and our nation, and reaffirm our commitment to their rights and independence.

NOW THEREFORE I, ROBERT RIVAS, Acting Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim July 2026 as “Disability Pride Month.”

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 22nd day of July 2026.

ROBERT RIVAS 
Acting Governor of California

ATTEST:
SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D.
Secretary of State        

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