Celebrate Disability Pride Month Event
Newton Disability Pride Celebration 2026
Sunday, July 19th
2:00 – 4:00 pm
brought to you by
The Newton Commission On Disability, the Newton Free Library
and Understanding Our Differences
Program Notes
Digital access to downloadable Program Notes
Digital access to downloadable Disability Pride Quilt Instructions
Digital access to Disability Pride Posters Information
Meet the Community Art Project Artist
Bill Porter is a multidisciplinary artist and educator whose work examines how beliefs, assumptions, and cultural narratives shape what we understand as truth. Grounded in his experience as a Blind artist, his practice explores perception, language, and systems of meaning, with particular attention to how inherited narratives shape understanding across contexts of disability, identity, and culture. Bill holds an MFA in Visual Arts from Lesley Art + Design, where he has served as an adjunct faculty member since 2015. He also develops and teaches studio art programs for disabled artists through the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum’s Access Studio program and Dark Room Ballet. Website: billporter.com
Resource Tables at Newton Disability Pride 2026
Abilities Dance uses dance and art overall as a tool for disability justice in the greater Boston area and beyond.
All Voices Count is a social justice theater group for people with and without disabilities.
Bricks for the Blind is a non-profit organization that brings the joy of building LEGO sets to blind people.
Here2There is a specialized smartphone app and beacon network designed to help blind and visually impaired individuals navigate indoors and outdoors.
The Newton Commission On Disability works to raise awareness through education and advocacy about the needs and rights of people with disabilities and the importance of increased accessibility to programs, housing, and facilities in municipal and commercial buildings, and other public entities.
The Newton SEPAC provides feedback to the School Committee and school district on special education programs and policies, and participates in their planning and development and serves as a liaison between parents of students with special needs and school district administrators.
Pathway to Possible provides housing, support, and advocacy for people with cognitive and developmental disabilities – and their families – while erasing barriers, building confidence, empowering independence, and expanding opportunities that enrich their lives and their communities.
Plugged In Band is an inclusive music program that respects and celebrates our differences. Regardless of age, gender, technical skill level, or disability, there is a place for you in the Plugged In community.
The Price Center empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism to thrive in living, social and work communities.
Understanding Our Differences has been a leader in disability awareness education since 1978. Fostering inclusive, respectful schools and communities for people of all abilities.
Waypoint Adventures challenges people with disabilities to discover their purpose, talents, and strengths through the transforming power of recreational adventure.
Disability Pride Flag
The Disability Pride Flag was designed by Ann Magill in 2019, and updated by her in 2021 to accommodate people with visually triggered disabilities. The flag features a black background representing mourning and rage for victims of ableist violence and abuse. Diagonal bands of color stand for “cutting across” walls and barriers that separate people with disabilities from the rest of society. The five colors—red, gold, white, blue and green—represent the spectrum of needs and experiences of individuals with disabilities: physical disabilities, neurodivergence, invisible and undiagnosed disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and sensory disabilities, respectively. The parallelism of the stripes symbolizes solidarity among communities.