To kick off the month, the City of Elliot Lake is highlighting the Disability Pride Flag, designed by advocate Ann Magill.
Every colour and line on this flag has a deeply meaningful purpose, representing different facets of the diverse disability community.
The Charcoal Background represents mourning for those lost to ableism and barriers, and the collective strength in protesting systemic exclusion, while the Diagonal Band alludes to “Cutting through” the walls and barriers that separate people with disabilities from society.
The various colour bands represent different forms of disabilities and impairments.
The flag-raising was held to highlight that true community inclusion means learning together and removing barriers every single day.
Officials say red represents physical disabilities and mobility impairments, gold for neurodiversity including ADHD, autism and learning disabilities, and white for invisible and undiagnosed disabilities. The blue is an acknowledgement of psychiatric disabilities and mental health conditions, while green highlights sensory challenges including blindness, low vision and deafness.
The Disability Pride Flag was originally designed by Ann Magill, an American activist with cerebral palsy, in 2016 with a rainbow lightning bolt design.
After feedback from people with visually triggering disabilities, Magill updated the design in 2021 to feature muted colours and straight diagonal stripes, making it safer and more inclusive for digital and physical displays.
Magill has waived her copyright, placing the flag in the public domain for free use and adaptation.
