Salem To Hold First Disability Pride Month Flag Raising At City Hall

SALEM, MA — Salem will hold its first annual Disability Pride Month Flag Raising Ceremony on Thursday.

The program will begin at 4 p.m. at Salem City Hall in the City Council Chambers.

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Community members, advocates and partners to attend the public event.

The inaugural ceremony is intended to mark Salem’s commitment to honoring disability identity, celebrating the contributions of people with disabilities, and advancing accessibility and inclusion across the community.

In Salem, nearly one in nine residents lives with a disability, representing more than 5,000 community members. In Essex County, the number of residents with disabilities has grown in recent years, a trend the city said underscores the need for accessible housing, transportation and economic opportunities across the region.

Disability Pride Month is observed each July to celebrate disability identity, culture and leadership, and to mark the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed on July 26, 1990.

The city said the month is also a chance to recognize disability as a natural and valuable part of the community and to reaffirm efforts to build a city where everyone belongs.

"Disability Pride Month is about honoring the struggle and resilience of people with disabilities, while celebrating identity, leadership, culture, and inclusion," Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo said. "By raising the Disability Pride flag, Salem proudly affirms our commitment to accessibility, equity, and a community where everyone has the opportunity to fully participate."

The event is open to the public, and all are welcome to attend.