This march originated from the Occupy Toronto movement in October 2011, uniting a hundred people at Toronto City Hall who wanted to highlight the city’s shortcomings in addressing disability-related issues. During that time, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford proposed cuts to Wheel-Trans and tried to cut the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, actions that drew attention to the challenges faced by the disabled community. Instances of police violence, such as the tragic murder of Sammy Yatim by police on a streetcar while he was experiencing a mental health crisis, further highlighted the urgent need for advocacy and visibility for disabled and neurodivergent people.
Over time as the march has grown, it has remained steadfast in addressing the critical issues in Toronto that first brought them together including accessible housing, low social assistance rates, transportation challenges, surveillance concerns, and police violence. As the 12th annual march approaches on July 15th, a banner-making party took place at Trinity Bellwoods park yesterday.
The goals of the Toronto Disability Pride March are to promote awareness and acceptance of disability, advocate for the rights and inclusion of disabled people, challenge ableism and other forms of discrimination, and create positive social change that benefits the entire disabled community.
The march stretches from Queens Park to the Toronto Metropolitan University quad at 50 Gould Street on July 15th from 1-4pm. If you are unable to attend the march in person, you can still be a part of it by livestreaming the event on The Toronto Disability March Facebook and Instagram.