As July marks Disability Pride Month, it’s important to understand the importance of allyship in creating a more inclusive society.
The question becomes, however, what does it mean to be an ally, and how can we effectively support the disability community?
Let’s explore these questions and break down the essence of allyship using the acronym A.L.L.Y.
Defining an Ally
An ally is someone who actively supports and advocates for individuals or groups facing discrimination or marginalization. In the context of disability rights, an ally is a person without a disability who stands alongside the disability community, amplifying voices, and working to dismantle barriers and prejudices.
Being an ally is not simply about having good intentions; it’s about taking actions to promote equality, accessibility, and inclusion. Allyship involves educating oneself, challenging one’s own biases, and using one’s privilege to effect positive change.
Let’s explore how we can be better allies using the word ALLY as an acronym:
A – Advocate and Amplify
As an ally, your role is to advocate for disability rights and amplify the voices of Persons with Disabilities. This means:
- Speaking up against ableism and discrimination
- Sharing content created by Persons with Disabilities on social media
- Supporting disability-led organizations and initiatives
- Pushing for accessibility in your workplace, school, or community
L – Listen and Learn
A strong ally is consistently willing to listen and learn:
- Educate yourself about different disabilities and the challenges faced by the community
- Pay attention to the experiences shared by Persons with Disabilities
- Be open to feedback and/or criticism, especially when it comes from the disability community.
- Stay current on disability rights issues and legislation
L – Leverage Your Privilege
Showing up as an ally is being willing to use privilege to create momentum around positive change:
- If you’re in a position of power, ensure Persons with Disabilities are included in decision-making processes
- Challenge inaccessible spaces and practices in your daily life— pay attention to how you use the Curb Cut Effect, too.
- Advocate for inclusive policies in your workplace or schools
- Use your platform, no matter how small, to raise awareness about disability rights
Y – Yield the Floor
Allyship is about supporting and amplifying, not leading:
- Step back and create space for Persons with Disabilities to speak for themselves
- Avoid speaking over or for Persons With Disabilities instead highlight their voices
- Recognize that Persons with Disabilities are the experts of their own experiences
- Support disability-led initiatives rather than creating your own
Putting Allyship into Practice
Being an ally during Disability Pride Month and beyond means consistently applying the A.L.L.Y. principles in daily life.
Here are some additional ways to become more of an ally and show support:
📌 Attend Disability Pride events and celebrations
📌 Support businesses owned by Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
📌 Ensure all online content is accessible (use image descriptions, closed captions, etc.)
📌 Challenge ableist language and stereotypes when you encounter them
📌 Advocate for accessibility in your community
📌 Educate friends and family about disability rights and inclusion
Allyship is an ongoing journey, not a destination.
Being an ally requires commitment, continuous learning, and self-reflection.
The A.L.L.Y. approach empowers us to transform good intentions into meaningful impact, fostering a global community where diversity is celebrated and inclusion is the norm, not the exception.
