Pride Fest a Success

Nikki Villavicencio, an ACT staff member who serves on the Maplewood City Council, addresses the crowd at the Disability Pride Festival in July 2025. ICI provided free resources and giveaways at the event.

Hundreds of people with disabilities and allies celebrated Disability Pride Month on July 17 at the third Annual ACT Disability Pride Festival .

WCCO-TV previewed the event , and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan opened the festivities with a proclamation from Gov. Tim Walz that recognized Disability Pride Month in Minnesota.

“I believe it is our responsibility, and my responsibility, to ensure that the voices and lived experiences of people with disabilities are not only heard but are centered in the work of building a Minnesota where everyone has the opportunity to live full, beautiful lives and to thrive,” Flanagan said in remarks before reading the official proclamation. “This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, landmark legislation born out of grassroots organizing, activism, and courage. And, boy, we need some courage right now.”

She called on disability advocates and self-advocates to remember the hard-fought battles of the Disability Rights Movement that led to the ADA as they face significant potential Medicaid funding cuts.

“We have made tremendous progress and will do everything we can to ensure we do not move backwards,” she said. “Even though it may be a scary time, and raising our voices can feel difficult in this moment, courage is required. I am in this with you, and we will continue to be allies.”

Advocating Change Together (ACT) hosts the annual event. About 30 local disability-related organizations, including the Institute on Community Integration, provided free resources and giveaways. ACT also provided complimentary fare from food trucks, photo and art booths, and other activities. Self-advocates, service and policy organization staff members, local artists, family members of people with disabilities, and others met, mingled, and celebrated the day.

“I thought last year’s event was a one-of-a-kind moment, but we were able to capture that and more this year,” ACT Executive Director Jennifer Walton said. “I’m absolutely humbled and heartened to be part of this event.”

Shaunte Martin, a self-advocacy leader with ACT and an inclusion associate with Cow Tipping Press , shared some of her story during an open-mike moment and staffed an information table during the event.

“I’m passionate about people coming together and having a good time!” she said. “It’s more important than ever.”

As Flanagan did, Nikki Villavicencio, an ACT staff member who serves as an elected Maplewood City Council member, urged attendees to remember the legacy of early disability rights activists as they prepare to fight cuts to disability services. She recalled the work of Rick Cardenas, a revered leader in the Minnesota disability community, and Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson, who sued the state of Georgia in a case that led to the landmark Supreme Court Olmstead decision.

“Disability Pride is not just a month. It’s a mirror, a megaphone, and a movement,” Villavicencio said. “It’s not about inspiration. It’s about existence—loud, unapologetic, complex, and whole…. We are not here by accident. We are here because others fought for us to be here, [and] we must fight for those who come next.”