Where to Celebrate Disability Pride Month in the Maryland ‘Burbs (of Washington,DC)

Neurodiversity affirming therapists in Bethesda, MD share ideas for honoring exactly who you are, including your neurodivergence, invisible disability (visible ones too!), and/or learning differences.

Hey friends! Did you know that July is Disability Pride Month? Probably not. It doesn’t get a lot of press, and there’s no giant military parade. But there IS a whole community of amazing people right here in the Maryland suburbs of DC. This month, we honor you. And give our ideas for how to honor yourself too.

I'm writing this from Montgomery County, Maryland (home of places like Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, Wheaton, and Rockville), but you can adapt these ideas no matter where you live.

Disability Pride Month is a whole month dedicated to celebrating people with disabilities, including neurodivergent folks. That’s those of us with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, mental health conditions, chronic illnesses, and more. You may have questions about whether some of these are actually disabilities. We’ll answer those in our next post (next week), where we talk about how they can be identities, too.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is Disability Pride Month for me?” the answer is probably yes. You know yourself better than anyone. Trust your own answer, and we will too. Whether you’re autistic, ADHD, a spoonie, bipolar, dyslexic, or navigating any other flavor of neurodivergence or disability, you’re part of the community.

We Belong Here and We’re Here to Stay: Disability Pride Month 2025

This is the theme of this year’s celebration. And it could apply to so many of us in so many different ways. Our immigrant neighbors belong here. Our neurodivergent neighbors belong here. Our LGBTQIA+ neighbors belong here.

This month (this year) is a time to celebrate intersectionality. Living with a disability or difference becomes more complex when you also have other marginalized identities. Now is a good time to think about what your identities mean to you, and to consider how you’d like to show up as a queer, trans, Black, Brown, or indigenous person with a disability. We’re here to listen, and to support you in being the full you.

This post is all about ways to celebrate that feel good to your brain and body—whether you're an extrovert who thrives at community events or someone who prefers vibing alone with your plants, books, fidgets, or favorite show.

So...What Is Disability Pride Month?

Let’s start with the basics. Disability Pride Month has been celebrated in July since 1990, which is when the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. The ADA was a huge deal—it helped establish civil rights protections for disabled people in public life, at work, in schools, and in public spaces.

But Disability Pride Month isn’t just about laws or rights (though those are important!). It’s about joy, visibility, and self-love. It's about shifting the story from "we need to be fixed" to "we have a lot to offer and we're proud of who we are."

It’s a chance to say: Yes, I am disabled. Yes, I am neurodivergent. Yes, I live in and contribute to a world not built for me. And yes, I am still worthy of celebration.

You Don’t Have to “Do It Big” to Celebrate

Let’s get one thing out of the way early: celebrating Disability Pride Month doesn’t mean you need to do a bunch of social or overwhelming things. You don’t need to go to public events, post on social media every day, or put yourself out there if you’re not feeling it. Resting, protecting your energy, and doing things that feel good to you is a form of pride.

In fact, celebrating in an inclusive way is the point! Visibility matters, but shouldn’t come at a cost to you. If showing up fully as who you are feels like too much, your celebration can be small. Quiet. Personal. Gentle. That counts too. Your needs are real.

Local Ways to Celebrate in the Maryland 'Burbs (If You’re Up for It)

If you are in the mood to venture out a bit, here are some neurodivergent- and disability-friendly ideas in the DC-Maryland suburbs:

1. Check Out Library Events

Local library systems like Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) and Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) sometimes host events focused on inclusion, accessibility, or neurodiversity—especially in the summer.

Look out for:

• Disability-themed story times for kids

• Inclusive art or music workshops

• Author talks by disabled creators

Bonus: libraries tend to be sensory-friendly spaces with quiet zones, flexible seating, and supportive staff. Plus, you can just chill there with a good book or audiobook on neurodiversity, disability justice, or mental health.

2. Explore Accessible Outdoor Spots

Need a break from indoors but not into big crowds? Try visiting:

• Brookside Gardens in Wheaton: Beautiful, wheelchair- and walker-friendly paths, quiet mornings, and lots of natural beauty.

• Sligo Creek Trail: A peaceful and mostly shaded trail that winds through Silver Spring and Takoma Park.

• Lake Artemesia in College Park: Smooth walking loops, benches, and birdwatching.

Pick times that feel less busy (early mornings, weekdays, or evenings) if you’re sensory-sensitive. Bring whatever you need to feel comfortable. Headphones, favorite fidgets, a comfort snack, or even a hoodie in the summer heat. Just be sure to drink enough water and cool off from time to time! You have the right to feel safe and grounded.

3. Check in With Local LGBTQIA+ Orgs

A lot of LGBTQIA+ organizations in the area are run by or inclusive of disabled folks—especially younger organizers and QTPOC (queer and trans people of color).

Look into:

• MoCo Pride Center

• SMYAL (Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders)

• Rainbow History Project

• Whitman-Walker

• Human Rights Campaign

Even if you’re not ready to go to an event, these orgs often share cool virtual content or uplifting stories during the summer. And of course they are resources year round as well.

Celebrate at Home in Your Own Way

Here’s the truth: a lot of us do our best celebrating from our own space, especially if we're autistic, ADHD, introverted, disabled, chronically ill, or just plain tired (and let’s be honest—summer heat and crowds don’t help!). Here are some gentler, home-based ways to celebrate:

1. Make a Disability Pride Playlist

Create a playlist of songs that make you feel powerful, understood, or simply seen. You can go literal with themes of identity, survival, or rebellion—or just choose stuff that gives you joy stims. Anything goes.

Some recs to start:

• “I Am Light” by India.Arie

• “Shake It Out” by Florence + The Machine

• “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman

• “I’m Different” by 2 Chainz (because…yeah, we are)

2. Journal or Create Art About Your Neurodivergence

Even a short entry can be powerful. Try reflecting on:

• What parts of your brain or body you're proud of

• Things you used to mask that you now embrace

• How your disability or neurodivergence helps you see the world differently

Draw it out. Collage it. Make a vision board. Use memes. Let your creativity lead. After all, we are the BEST creative thinkers out there. We have to be, just to get ordinary things done.

3. Read, Watch, or Listen to Disabled Voices

Here are some creators and authors to explore (especially queer/BIPOC disabled folks):

• Keah Brown – The Pretty One

• Imani Barbarin (@crutches_and_spice)

• Mia Mingus – disability justice writer

• The Neurodivergent Rebel – autistic advocate and educator

• Fidgets & Fries (Tiara Thomas) – Black autistic mom and speaker

Support their work, share it if you want, and let it remind you: you’re not alone.

Uplift Others in the Neurodiverse Community (Even in Small Ways)

Celebrating Disability Pride isn’t just about honoring yourself—it’s also about lifting up others, especially folks more marginalized within our community.

Here are low-pressure ways to do that:

• Repost content from disabled creators of color, queer disabled folks, and others with intersecting identities

• Tip or support small businesses run by disabled folks—especially those local to the DMV area

• Ask about accessibility in spaces you’re in (like schools, meetings, or social events)—even a quiet “hey, is this space sensory-friendly?” can make a difference

You Can Also…Just Rest

Let’s say this clearly: Rest is revolutionary.

Especially for disabled people. Especially for neurodivergent people. Especially for anyone navigating multiple marginalizations.

You don’t need to show up at every protest or event. You don’t have to mask your struggles or pretend to be “inspiring” to count. Your very existence is enough.

If celebrating this month looks like:

• Saying no to a Zoom call

• Taking a nap in the middle of the day

• Turning your phone off

• Wearing your comfiest clothes

• Rewatching your favorite stimmy show

Then great. That’s celebration, too.

Final Thoughts: You Belong Here

Disability Pride Month is a chance to say:

“This is who I am. I don’t need to be fixed. I don’t need to be hidden. I am worthy of love, respect, and belonging.”

It’s a time to celebrate every part of you:

• Your sensory needs

• Your unique ways of thinking

• The stims, the rest breaks, the hyperfixations

• The intersections of race, gender, class, and queerness that shape your story

And yes, even the hard stuff. The meltdowns. The shutdowns. The brain fog. The burnout. You don’t have to be “thriving” to have pride. You just have to be you. And you are enough. Just as you are.

Wherever You Are, However You Feel—Disability Pride Month Is Yours

So whether you spend July going to events, scrolling through Instagram, hanging out with your dog, or lying on the floor with a fidget cube in hand… know this:

You are part of a big, beautiful, diverse community of disabled folks—many of whom are queer, trans, Black, Brown, neurodivergent, and proud.

You’re not alone.

You are worthy of celebration.

You belong.

Happy Disability Pride Month. 💛♿🌈

Looking for a therapist who respects you for you, and understands your struggles too? Request an appointment with a neurodiversity affirming therapist in Bethesda, MD today.

Looking for more ways to celebrate? The ARC of Montgomery County has some great ideas! Check out our post about supporting the disabled or neurodivergent person in your life as well.