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Santa Fe mayor proclaims July Disability Pride Month, marks 35th anniversary of ADA
Summary
Mayor Alan M. Weber read a city proclamation declaring July Disability Pride Month at a ceremony in Santa Fe that honored disability advocates, highlighted accessibility needs and promoted upcoming events including a July 19 parade and a July 31 Accessibility Awards ceremony.
Mayor Alan M. Weber proclaimed July as Disability Pride Month at a City of Santa Fe ceremony in the council chambers, marking what speakers called the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and urging continued local advocacy for accessibility and inclusion.
The proclamation, read aloud by Weber, cited the ADA's passage on July 26, 1990 and the need for "inclusion and accessibility in both physical and virtual environments," and called on the city and community to address barriers faced by people with disabilities. "I, Alan M. Weber, mayor of the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, do hereby proclaim July as disability pride month," Weber said while reading the proclamation.
Why it matters: organizers and elected officials framed the event as both a celebration and a prompt for action. Speakers recalled legal and policy milestones, urged investments in accessible infrastructure and encouraged residents to press elected officials on needed changes.
Speakers at the ceremony included local council members and disability advocates. Executive Director Greg Trappin recalled litigation and policy fights in New Mexico over Medicaid and services, saying the ADA helped ensure people "will be invisible for no longer" and that "working together, we can continue to make sure that we are all seen and heard, and we can really change the world for people with disabilities." Katie Ellis, one of the guest speakers, urged practical attention to sidewalks and other infrastructure, noting that "accessibility costs money" and that investing now can avoid repeated fixes later.
Event organizers announced community activities tied to the proclamation. The disability pride parade was described as scheduled for July 19, and an Accessibility Awards event with the State Cultural Affairs Department is planned for July 31 at the International Folk Art Museum. City officials and community leaders also marked what they said was Santa Fe's first raising of a disability pride flag in New Mexico and named honorees for the day, including Jojo Manuel.
Council members who spoke praised local advocates and said the city must match proclamations with resources. Councilor Garcia (identified in remarks as a council member) and others thanked volunteers and advisory committee members for organizing the parade and other events and reiterated the need for ongoing accessibility work across city facilities, including the council chambers.
The program combined historical context, personal testimony and local planning. Greg Trappin recounted a 1992 court ruling that halted proposed Medicaid cuts and said that litigation and advocacy remain part of securing access to services. Speakers urged residents to contact elected officials about accessibility concerns and to continue community-led efforts.
The ceremony concluded with recognition of honorees and a call to sustain the work annually. Organizers and officials encouraged attendance at the July disability pride parade and at the July 31 Accessibility Awards to keep community momentum and highlight continued needs for accessible housing, transportation and public buildings.
