The fourth annual Disability Pride Festival brought people with disabilities, advocates, and community members to the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol to celebrate the disability community and connect.

“I think the most amazing part of today is, even it doesn’t go right; all the things that happen that are unexpected end up being the things that make this the most amazing day: it’s the people,” Jennifer Walton, executive director, Advocating for Change Together (ACT), said.

The day started overcast, but that didn’t stop the singing, dancing and connection among hundreds of people. Attendees expressed just how important this day was. “This here is the most precious day of our lives. This here means a lot to all of us, not just one or two, but all over the world need to see that we are fighting for all of disabled people, not just one or two,” Harriett Jordan, who attended her fourth Disability Pride Festival, said.

Throughout the Capitol grounds, sensory-friendly activities, sign language interpreters and other measures helped ensure the event was accessible.

“We are working to be an incredibly accessible, inclusive event and space,” Walton said.

Meaningful music

Following some opening remarks, the crowd was energized by the Side-by-Side People’s Chorus.

“Most of the chorus now is made up of people with disabilities,” Larry Dittberner, chorus director for the Side-by-Side People’s Chorus, said.

Once the songs got going, people from the crowd got up and joined in with their best dance moves and singing voices.

To the tune of “God Bless America,” “We’ll Build Communities” rang out around the Capitol, reinforcing a message of community and inclusion.

“We picked songs from a variety of areas, so that would be fun songs, songs on self-advocacy,” Dittberner explained.

Lyrics reflected the overall theme of the day: Celebrate Disability Pride without apology.

“It means, like what the song is saying, that we stand up for who we are, that everybody is human, everybody has a right to be accepted for who they are, without apology. And we need to stand up and bind together,” Dittberner said.

Finding connection and resources

As the festival continued into the afternoon, the clouds broke, and the sun began to shine. People continued to build connections, find resources and express their disability pride together.
“It’s the contacts and the connections we’ve made,” DJ, board member for ACT, said.

The event drew representatives from across the state, including Rochester, Duluth, East Grand Forks and more.

Attendees had the opportunity to meet people from their area and learn about the resources offered.

“That’s one of the things that doesn’t always happen, especially in some of these smaller rural communities. But we’re showing we can make it happen and doing it,” DJ said.

During the celebration, people made sure that everyone got help when they needed it, putting the belief in being united into action.

“When I fell in my scooter, they’d all come help me up,” Jordan said.

For Jordan, the connection went beyond just that moment.

“Everybody talks together and works together. And I like that. Ain’t nobody hating on nobody,” Jordan said.

Connecting is an important way for people in the disability community to make their voices heard.
“We are all here united, and we’re fighting a battle for all of us. Not just one, but for the whole nation. We got to fight this battle together,” Jordan said.

Bigger than a celebration

With all the singing, dancing and connection, attendees wore smiles throughout the day, but the festival had a deeper meaning.

“I’m included. I’ve done a lot to grow, and be a part of it, and show that my disability doesn’t exclude me from anything,” DJ proclaimed.

For attendees the celebration goes beyond just singing and dancing, Disability Pride means being seen, included and respected.

“We are human beings, just like anybody else. We got flesh and blood like anybody else. And I think it’s wrong for them to disrespect us. I’m tired of that,” Jordan expressed.

The festival concluded with a message from the Minnesota governor’s office that the fight for true inclusion needs to continue.

“I just have to tell you how, I don’t even know that I have the words, to just say how incredibly proud I am for everybody that continues to show up. When you’re exhausted, when you’re burnt out, people keep showing up, because guess what? Disability lives matter. And we all deserve a state that’s accessible,” Makenzie Nolan, the senior public engagement liaison for the Office of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, said.

For attendees like 80-year-old Harriett Jordan, inclusion is moving in the right direction.
“I can see things moving forward instead of backwards,” Jordan said.