As the heat outside begins to increase, so do the opportunities to experience disability culture. Some people only see ‘disability’ as something in need of curing or as a policy problem to be solved; however, it’s during the summer months that I realize that disability is also a culture that needs to be celebrated!

As a little person, the LPA national conference in July is one way in which I celebrate disability culture. This annual event hosts thousands of little people across the country and around the world to celebrate who we are, where we’ve been and where we’re headed. LPA makes no mistakes about it, as we’re there to, according to the mission statement, “celebrate with great pride our contribution to social diversity.”

However, LPA is not the only happening event this summer. This July is also the 25th anniversary of the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA bus has been making its way across the country and, if it hasn’t already, will surely be stopping by your city soon. In honor of the 25th anniversary of the ADA, many disability communities will also be hosting huge disability pride parades, in which hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of people with all types of disabilities will be marching to celebrate their pride as disabled people.

Further, the Society for Disability Studies (SDS) just held its annual conference in Atlanta, GA. While SDS is always very well attended, it still seems like a little known secret in the disability community. According to its mission statement, “SDS promotes the study of disability in social, cultural, and political contexts. Disability Studies recognizes that disability is a key aspect of human experience, and that the study of disability has important political, social, and economic implications for society as a whole, including both disabled and nondisabled people.” However, everyone that’s ever attended a SDS conference knows that the best part of SDS is its dance! It’s every body type you can possibly imagine brought together in the spirit of celebration to dance. If you’ve ever found yourself at a dance and feeling self-conscious of what others might think of your body dancing, imagine being in a space where every body is different and it is those differences that are being embraced.

While I’m sure this is only the beginning of the ways in which you can celebrate disability culture this Summer, I hope this will get your creative juices flowing to let your pride flag fly. One thing all of these events have in common is a very unapologetic and public statement that disability is a natural part of life and human diversity. Disability is very much an identity that should be celebrated.

So, how will you be celebrating your disability this summer?

Leah Smith is a writer, communications professional and disability advocate. Leah holds a Bachelor’s in Public Relations and a Masters in Public Administration and Policy. She has focused her career on creating access and equality for all. Leah currently resides in Philadelphia with her partner and two dogs.