MMSD board proclaims July Disability Pride Month

The Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education on July 28 adopted Resolution No. 2524 recognizing July as Disability Pride Month and reaffirming the district’s commitment to inclusive education for students with disabilities.

Board member VanderMeelen read the resolution during the meeting, citing the Americans with Disabilities Act, signed July 26, 1990, and national disability statistics referenced in the resolution: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate about 70,000,000 adults in the United States have disabilities and the U.S. Census Bureau data cited in the resolution notes more than 3,000,000 children with disabilities.

The resolution states that people with disabilities “continue to face barriers to full inclusion in education, employment, housing, health care, and community life” and that Madison Metropolitan School District serves thousands of students with disabilities and is committed to “fostering inclusive, accessible, and equitable learning environments for all.” The board adopted the resolution as presented; the transcript records the adoption of the language and a statement that it was “Adopted by the MMSD board on the 28th day of June 2025” (the board’s meeting documents show the July 28, 2025 meeting considered and adopted Resolution No. 2524 recognizing Disability Pride Month).

The resolution encourages educational institutions, public agencies, community organizations and residents in Dane County, Wisconsin, to observe Disability Pride Month with activities and programs that promote inclusion and accessibility. It also reaffirms the board’s commitment to policies and practices intended to ensure students with disabilities have opportunities to thrive.