Disability Celebration Month 2025

In March, San Diego State University will commemorate Disability Celebration Month through a series of community events. 

About Disability Celebration Month

Disability organizations date back to the 1800s, but progress for disability rights experienced significant growth in the second half of the 20th century. In that time, the disability rights community spent many years advocating for change. The Capitol Crawl, held March 12, 1990, was just one of the catalytic events. Roughly 1,000 members of the disability community united at Capitol Hill set aside their mobility aids (i.e., wheelchairs, crutches, canes, etc) to move or crawl their way up the stairs making a clear and powerful statement demanding that Congress pass the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

The ADA, and the subsequent ADA Amendments Act of 2008, are well known civil rights legislation prohibiting discrimination against disabled people. This legislation – with the ADA originally signed into law in 1990 and in its 35th year this year – continues to shape the disability community today. 

While SDSU commemorates disability celebration month in March, it is also important to acknowledge the legacy of Disability Pride month, which occurs in July and is linked to the passage of the ADA.

March 4, 2025 is the anniversary of the passing of Judith “Judy” Heumann, who is often considered the mother of disability rights. Heumann’s life is a reminder of the power of disability pride in a world where barriers to access and discrimination often go unnoticed by non-disabled people.

Disabled people have always been an integral part of every society, across the globe and throughout history. We are honored to celebrate disabled contributions, culture and community on our campus throughout the month.

Join Us for Faculty, Staff and Student Activities

Monday, March 3, noon-1 p.m.: Celebrating Disability in the Classroom (register to receive the Zoom link)

Hosted by the Center for Inclusive Excellence, a panel of SDSU faculty and staff will highlight specific ways they embrace and celebrate disability in the classroom and campus community. Attendees will be provided with tangible practices to incorporate. Toni Saia, who is an assistant professor in the Department of Administration, Rehabilitation and Postsecondary Education and a disability scholar, will moderate the panel.

Wednesday, March 5, 3-4 p.m.: Disability Ally Training (Student Disability Services, Calpulli Center, Room 4102)

Disability Ally training is open to all students, faculty and staff. Hosted by SDSU’s Student Disability Services, this training is designed to establish disability partners and advocates across the university. Upon completion of the Disability Ally seminar, allies will be able to help create a safe, supportive and understanding environment for individuals with disabilities. For more information, contact the Disability Ally team by emailing [email protected].

Wednesday, March 12, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Come celebrate disability with “Patrice: The Movie” (Montezuma Hall)

One SDSU, Student Disability Services and the Disability Employee Resource Group are hosting a screening of the Hulu original documentary, "Patrice: The Movie.” This film is centered on the lived experience of Patrice, a Black disabled woman, and her revolutionary love. Her story showcases the importance of disability rights and advocacy, as well as the power of disability culture and community. The event is free and open to all students, faculty, staff and the broader San Diego community. Light refreshments will be available while supplies last. RSVP for more information or email [email protected].

Friday, March 14, 2-5 p.m.: Adapted Sports Showcase (Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union Lee & Frank Goldberg Courtyard) 

This year’s showcase brings together the SDSU and San Diego communities for an engaging celebration of the dedication it takes to be an elite adaptive athlete. Experience the impact of Adapted Athletics, Aztec Adaptive Sports, and Adapted Sports Physical Therapy, through storytelling, hands-on activities and expert insights. The event, a collaboration between Adaptive Athletics, Aztec Adaptive Sports, and Adapted Sports Physical Therapy, will include: 

• Athlete storytelling: Hear from paralympians, SDSU adaptive athletes, and experts in a panel discussion.
• Sport activations: Watch a wheelchair basketball exhibition and join interactive skills drills.
• A resource fair: Connect with organizations supporting adaptive sports.

Wednesday, March 19, 3-4 p.m.: Disability Representation in Pop Culture, Sara Roldan, Psy.D. (Student Disability Services, Calpulli Center, Room 4102) 

Hosted by SDS, explore the impact of disability representation in pop culture with Sara Roldan, Psy.D., a lecturer of psychology, who will lead a conversation exploring how films, television, social media and other forms of entertainment influence public perceptions of disability, shape advocacy efforts and drive societal inclusion. All are welcome to attend. 

Friday, March 21, 9-5 p.m.: Identity, Passing, and Epistemic Authority Symposium (Leon Williams Room, Love Library LL430 and LL431)

Hosted by the Institute for Ethics and Public Affairs (IEPA), speakers include: Talia Mae Bettcher, professor of philosophy at California State University, Los Angeles (author of “Beyond Personhood: An Essay in Trans Philosophy”); Kim Tallbear, professor of Native studies at the University of Alberta in Canada and research chair in Indigenous Peoples, Technoscience, and Society (author of “Native American DNA: Tribal Belonging and the False Promise of Genetic Science”) and Jeffrey Brune, associate professor of history at Gallaudet University (editor of “Disability and Passing: Blurring the Lines of Identity”; editor-in-chief of Disability Studies Quarterly). Register online for the symposium. 

Additional SDSU resources are available throughout the year through the Disability Employee Resource Group, Student Disability Services, Adaptive Athletics and the Accessible Technology Initiative. 

Together, we look forward to honoring the disability trailblazers of the past and celebrating our SDSU community.