COLUMBIA, SC - Able South Carolina (Able SC) is celebrating Disability Pride Month and the landmark 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Signed into law on July 26, 1990, the ADA is the cornerstone of rights for people with disabilities in the United States. The law strives to eliminate barriers, bring access, and ensure that people with disabilities are fully included members of the community.
To honor this milestone, Able SC is hosting “ADA Week,” a lineup of disability-led public events, youth programming, and advocacy initiatives designed to celebrate disability culture and advance progress across the Palmetto State.
In a show of solidarity with the 1 in 3 South Carolinians who have a disability, local governments throughout South Carolina are officially issuing county proclamations designating July 26, 2026, as the 36th Anniversary Day of the Americans with Disabilities Act. These proclamations recognize the vital importance of the ADA, honor the achievements of the disability community, and renew local commitments to ensuring the rights, independence, and dignity of all citizens. A full list of participating counties will be provided at the end of the month.
Featured "ADA Week" & July Events
Able SC invites the public, allies, and members of the disability community to participate in the following celebrations:
3rd Annual Disability Pride Night with the Columbia Fireflies
Date & Time: Wednesday, July 22, 2026 | Gates open at 6:00 PM, Game starts at 7:05 PM
Location: Segra Park, Columbia, SC
Details: A joy-filled evening of baseball at Segra Park to celebrate Disability Pride Night and the 36th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with the Columbia Fireflies! Gates open at 6:00 PM. Several elements for accessibility will be featured, including ASL interpretation (contact Segra Park for specific section information), access to captioning and audio description through the Segra Park broadcast, and offers from guest services, including but not limited to Kulture City sensory bags, sight guides to help you get acquainted with the park, and more.
Tickets may be purchased online: https://www.gofevo.com/event/
Note: Segra Park enforces a clear-bag policy and is a cashless venue. For ticket questions or disability accommodation requests, contact Matt Chernesky at (803) 888-3015 or mchernesky@columbiafireflies.
Important note regarding dogs who are not service animals: Due to scheduling restrictions, Disability Pride Night is being co-hosted alongside one of Segra Parks’ regular “Dog Days of Summer” evenings, opening the park to dogs. Non-service animal dogs are restricted to lawn seating/berm seating and must remain leashed at all times. Any non-service animal dogs that present an issue will be asked to leave immediately to preserve the safety and accessibility of the event.
The Big Read of the ADA
Date & Time: Saturday, July 25, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Boyd Plaza (1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC) during the Soda City Market
Details: While the ADA broke historic barriers, few have read the legislation in its entirety. During The Big Read, 36 volunteers will read every single word of the law aloud over a four-hour span. This public reading serves to move beyond mere remembrance, calling attention to the ongoing need for public awareness and advocacy. Special guest readers are slated to join, including State Senator Tamika Isssac Devine, Richland County Councilmember Cheryl English, and representatives from Dominion Energy, Office of Mental Health, SC Humanities, Historic Columbia, Columbia Museum of Art, and more.
Equip On Tour: Summer Youth Programming
Dates: July 21 (Firefly Games) | July 22 (SC State Museum) | July 23 (Movie Day at Able SC, Columbia)
Target Audience: Disabled youth ages 13–28
Details: This free, three-day summer tour offers disabled youth unique opportunities to build vital advocacy skills, develop independent living capabilities, and foster deep social connections with peers at engaging locations across the city. Registration is required to attend. Visit Able-SC.org/Events to find details.
State of Disability Pride SC Virtual Town Hall
Date & Time: Thursday, August 6, 2026 | 5:30 PM
Location: Virtual (Registration Required, Visit Able-SC.org/Events to find details.)
Details: Advocacy doesn’t end with Disability Pride Month. The public is invited to join the dedicated Advocacy Team at Able South Carolina for a comprehensive briefing on current events, policy updates, and the pressing issues directly impacting people with disabilities today.
"The 36th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act provides a vital opportunity to renew our local commitment to the ADA’s principles—ensuring the rights, independence, and dignity of citizens with disabilities, and empowering our county, state, and nation to benefit from the talents and contributions of all Americans." — Excerpt from the 2026 South Carolina County Proclamations
Details on all of these events and other activities, such as free trainings for people with disabilities and opportunities for businesses and employers, can be found at www.able-sc.org or across Able South Carolina’s social media channels.
ABOUT ABLE SOUTH CAROLINA
Able SC is a disability-led organization seeking transformative change across systems, communities, and individuals. Since 1994, we’ve remained a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability nonprofit that seeks to make South Carolina a national model of equity and inclusion for all people with disabilities. To learn more about Able SC’s programs and services, please visit www.able-sc.org.