Ireland's first Disability Pride and Power Parade to take place next week

Disability Power Ireland will host the country's first Disability Pride and Power Parade in recognition of Disability Pride Month on Saturday, July 22.

The event forms part of the group’s inaugural Disability Pride Month Festival Programme, an initiative that marks the first Disability Pride Month in Ireland.

Starting at 2pm, participants will gather outside Trinity College Dublin and will march towards the Government Buildings, Department of the Taoiseach.

Simultaneously, in solidarity with the Dublin march, Clare Leader Forum will organise another Disability Pride Parade in Ennis on Wednesday July 26.

The Dublin parade aligns with the Chicago Disability Pride Parade, acknowledging the city where the world's first disability pride parade took place in 2004.

An online panel discussion involving Disability Power Ireland, Disability Pride Italia, and the Chicago Disability Pride Parade is also scheduled for Friday, July 14 at 7pm.

Several activists,  artists and representatives from Disabled Persons' Organisations (DPOs) will be among the speakers and performers for Saturday's parade. This includes members from Neuro Pride Ireland, Disabled Woman Ireland, Full Spectrum Ireland, and Physical Impairment Ireland.

Reflecting the dual nature of the disabled experience, the parade's title, “Disabled People Can’t Wait,” encapsulates both the joy of being together and the urgency to realise the community's human rights.

Maryam Madani, the parade's organiser, said, “the parade is both a celebration and a protest, aiming to create visibility for our community that is often hidden and institutionalised. We will take to the streets once again to celebrate our community's self-determination, creativity, resilience, and beauty.”

The parade remains entirely volunteer-run. Additional events include a dance workshop, a theatre workshop, a karaoke afterparty, banner-making sessions and a sensory guided tour at the National Gallery.

More details are available on disabilitypride.ie.