The Chinatown Partnership, in collaboration with Art Beyond Sight, Disability Pride and support from the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, celebrated ADA's legacy by promoting access for all with this inclusive festival. The 2016 Chinatown Disability Pride ADA Birthday Party, had educators and artists from cultural organizations educating and entertaining visitors of all abilities. People were able learn about offerings from NYC government organizations, and agencies providing services to people with disabilities.

More than 5,000 disabled people rolled, motored and strolled up Broadway to Madison Square Park on Sunday for the second annual Disability Pride Parade, one of the largest gatherings celebrating and advocating for disability rights in New York City.

The following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's message for the twenty-sixth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, in New York, today:

I am pleased to send my warmest greetings to the annual New York City Disability Pride Parade. Please accept my best wishes as you celebrate the twenty-sixth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I commend the leading role of New York City in showing the world the pride that people with disabilities have in exercising their civil rights and freedoms.

New York celebrated the second annual Disability Pride with a colorful parade, marching from Union Square Park to Madison Square Park. Disability Pride NYC is a non-profit started by Mike LeDonne who’s 10 year old daughter is disabled. The mission of Disability Pride NYC is to promote inclusion, awareness, and visibility of people with disabilities, and redefine public perception of disability. Their goal is to establish an annual Disability Pride parade in New York City and to support people with disabilities in whatever way they can.

Many who have declining health feel ashamed of their bodies, and in time, may also feel ashamed of themselves. Friends stop reaching out as health issues just sound like “drama” to most people who have never faced a health crisis. Some have been forced to leave behind a career, or dreams they once held dear. Although it sounds harsh, it’s not uncommon at all for family members to tease or bully as individuals change physically and/or mentally, leaving them extremely self conscious. People can be very judgmental of body shapes, walking aids, and challenges they don’t understand.

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City hosted its first parade Sunday supporting people with disabilities, with more than 3,000 participants heading up Broadway using wheelchairs, canes and guide dogs.
"We're here full force," said rapper Namel Norris, 33, now in a wheelchair after being shot in the Bronx and paralyzed as a teenager. "I thought my life was over, but music is my calling, I have a purpose in life."
Mayor Bill de Blasio kicked off the inaugural NYC Disability Pride Parade, saying he's proud his city is a national leader in supporting rights for disabled people.

On Sunday, July 12th, UCP of NYC joined thousands of New Yorkers for the Inaugural NYC Disability Pride Parade. With an estimated 200 participants, UCP of NYC was one of the largest groups marching, carrying wonderful awareness-raising signs to celebrate. July has been declared Disability Pride month by Mayor de Blasio and also marks the 25th Anniversary of the signing of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

Thank you to everyone who came out to cheer us on and make the first parade of its kind in NYC a success.

The full story from the Associated Press:

About 3,000 people helped raise awareness about physical and mental disabilities during New York City's annual Disability Pride festivities in Manhattan at a rally near Madison Square Park and a parade down Broadway to Union Square.

This month was full of city parades. Not only that, two weeks ago, the Gay Pride parade was enhanced by the Supreme Court’s gay-marriage decision, but also on Friday, another parade was held, celebrating the U.S women’s soccer team. The Disability Pride Parade, hosted by New York on Sunday completed the parade month. The event, supporting people with disabilities, had more than 3,000 participants using wheelchairs, canes and guide dogs.