Disability Pride

Six stripes cross a faded black background diagonally, from top left to bottom right. From left to right, stripe colors are red, gold, white, blue, and green.

Disability Pride at San Francisco Public Library

July is Disability Pride Month! Disability Pride Month commemorates the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990. Disability Pride is an opportunity to celebrate disability history, culture and community, as well as to recognize the ongoing experiences and struggles that people with disabilities face. The disability community is richly diverse and integral to the San Francisco we know and to the world around us. We celebrate people with disabilities everywhere this Disability Pride Month and all year long.

The featured image above is the current Disability Pride flag. Continue reading to learn the meaning of each color in the flag. Learn more about the Disability Pride flag on this page from the ADA National Network.

Red: Physical Disabilities

Gold: Neurodiversity

White: Invisible and Undiagnosed Disabilities

Blue: Emotional and Psychiatric Disabilities

Green: Sensory Disabilities

Faded Black Background: Mourning and Rage for Survivors of Ableism (discrimination against people with, or who are perceived to have, disabilities)

Browse this page to learn more about some of the library’s disability related services, as well as particular departments dedicated to serving and improving accessibility for people with disabilities in the San Francisco community. Featured on this page is information about the Deaf Services Center and the Talking Books and Braille Center, as well as information about accessibility resources available at the library. Continue reading to discover book recommendations from the Deaf Services Center and the Talking Books and Braille Center. Want to learn more about Disability Pride Month? Browse this information about why and how to celebrate from the Arc, the largest national community-based organization advocating for and with people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD).

The San Francisco Public Library is committed to providing a welcoming, accessible environment for all. In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), San Francisco Public Library will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs or activities. To learn more about San Francisco Public Library’s commitment to accessibility, please view the Accessibility Services page. To report an access issue, please use the ADA Form.

Deaf Services Center

The Deaf Services Center (DSC) provides free, in-depth resources for adults and children who are deaf or hard of hearing, their families, friends and professionals. Deaf Services staff can provide support and referrals to deaf patrons in American Sign Language (ASL), in person and over videophone. We also provide support to hard of hearing and late-deafened people seeking information on hearing assistance. Events for deaf people presented in ASL or with ASL interpreters are occasionally provided. View the Deaf Services Center page for more information about available services.

Books Recommended by DSC

The History of Deaf People, by Per Eriksson.  
Availability: One Print copy available for in-library use in the Deaf Services Center Reserves Collection.

Front cover of The History of Deaf People, by Per Eriksson. A five-by-five grid of images depict illustrated hands in various shapes.

Signs of the Times by Edgar Shroyer. 
Availability: One circulating Print and one in-library use Print copy in the Deaf Services Center Reserves Collection.

: Front cover of Signs of the Times by Edgar Shroyer. Four illustrated figures are depicted signing in American Sign Language. The cover background is orange.

For Hearing People Only, by Matthew Moore. 
Availability: Print, and two in-library use Print copies in the Deaf Services Center Reserves Collection.

Front cover of For Hearing People Only, by Matthew Moore. Cover is pale yellow, with a light white outline of a person signing in the background.

Legal Rights: The Guide for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People, by the National Association of the Deaf.  
Availability: Print, and one in-library use Print copy in the Deaf Services Center Reserves Collection.

Front cover of Legal Rights, by the National Association of the Deaf. A gavel is depicted on the left, in front of a blurry image of a scale.

Through Deaf Eyes: A Photographic History of An American Community, by Douglas Baynton. 
Availability: Availability: Print, and one in-library use Print copy in the Deaf Services Center Reserves Collection.

Front cover of Through Deaf Eyes, by Douglas Baynton. A black and white photograph of children gathered around an adult is depicted in front of a desaturated image of a United States flag. The background color is teal

Talking Books and Braille Center

The Talking Books and Braille Center (TBBC) is part of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), Library of Congress, and provides free library service to San Francisco residents who cannot access printed reading material due to a visual impairment or print disability. Registered patrons are welcome to check out talking books, Braille books and audio-described DVDs. A variety of access technology (AT) including computers, desktop video magnifiers, scanning and reading software and a Braille embosser are also available for use. Browse the Talking Books and Braille Center page for more information about available services, events, and registering as a TBBC user.

Books Recommended by TBBC

Becoming Real in 24 Days by HolLynn D’Lil 
Availability: One Print copy formatted for people with low vision 

Front and back cover of Becoming Real in 24 Days: One Participants Story of the 1977 Section 504 Demonstration for Disability Rights by HolLynn DLil. A black and white photograph of a group of people standing and using wheelchairs in front of San Francisco City Hall fills the front and back cover.

The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight by Andrew Leland.  
Availability: Print, Large Print, eBook, Audiobook, Braille and as a Talking Book.

Front cover of The Country of the Blind by Andrew Leland. The cover is white with a diagonal grid. Multiple illustrated figures walk across the cover, using a variety of mobility aids including walkers, wheelchairs, guide dogs, and canes.

Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law by Haben Girma.  
Availability: Print, eBook, Audiobook as well as in Braille and as a Talking Book. 

Front cover of Haben: the Deafblind woman who conquered Harvard Law by Haben Girma. The cover background is a cranberry color. Haben’s face and torso are depicted in profile. Haben looks to the right with a calm and sure expression. Haben wears a blue shirt, has smooth black hair, and is wearing hoop earrings.

Connecting Dots: A Blind Life by Joshua Alexander Miele. Availability: Print, eBook, Audiobook, Braille and as a Talking Book. 

Front cover of Connecting Dots: A Blind life by Joshua Alexander Miele. The cover is a gradient of mostly green, and blue, with some yellow and brown in the top corners. A young elementary-age Joshua is depicted in the bottom left, sitting with legs crossed, smiling, with one hand on his face.

Accessibility Resources at the San Francisco Public Library

Accessibility Services

Learn about accessibility services offered at the San Francisco Public Library and local helpful resources on the Accessibility Services page.

Accessibility Toolkits

All San Francisco Public Libraries have Accessibility Tool Kits with a variety of simple assistive devices. Learn more about available tools on the Accessibility Tool Kit page.

Accessible Technology

The San Francisco Public Library provides many forms of adaptive and assistive technology to provide equitable access to print and online resources and public programs. Learn about available services on the Accessible Technology page.

Inclusion Tool Kits

Every San Francisco Public Library location has an Inclusion Tool Kit. Items in the Tool Kit include seating modifications and sensory tools and are available upon request for in-library use to help increase the accessibility of library programs and resources. Learn more about available tools on the Inclusion Tool Kit page.

Interpreting

For accommodations (such as ASL interpretation or captioning), call (415) 557-4557 or email accessibility@sfpl.org. Please include your name and phone number in your email. Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

Learning Differences Collection

Browse the Learning Differences Collection, housed on the 5th floor of the Main Library, to find resources about dyslexia, attention disorders, processing disorders, autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities and other learning differences for children, teens and adults.