Dallas Raises Disability Pride Flag at City Hall

The City of Dallas Office of Housing and Community Empowerment, in collaboration with the Commission on Disabilities and community partners, hosted the inaugural Disability Pride Flag Raising Ceremony at Dallas City Hall on July 15, 2026. The event was held in recognition of Disability Pride Month and brought together City Council members, city leadership, Commission members, community organizations, advocates, residents, and city staff.

The program featured welcome remarks from the Office of Housing and Community Empowerment, Commission Chair John Kalkanli, and Council Member Gay Donnell Willis. Attendees also heard a reading of the City of Dallas Disability Pride Month Proclamation before the flag was raised at the Dallas City Hall Plaza.

Assistant City Manager Liz Cedillo-Pereira stated, "Recognizing Disability Pride Month at City Hall is an important reminder that accessibility requires ongoing commitment, collaboration, and action." She added that the city values the voices of residents with disabilities to help guide work toward a more accessible and welcoming Dallas.

Council Member Gay Donnell Willis reflected on the significance of the flag. "Raising this flag at City Hall tells every resident with a disability: You belong here. You matter here. And you deserve a Dallas that works for you," Willis said. She noted that the flag represents a public commitment to listen to people with disabilities and include their expertise in decisions that affect them.

John Kalkanli, Chair of the City of Dallas Commission on Disabilities, said the flag affirms that people with disabilities deserve dignity, respect, and equal recognition. He noted it honors the lived experiences of individuals who organized for change.

The Disability Pride Flag, redesigned in 2021 by Ann Magill with input from the disability community, features colors representing physical disabilities (red), neurodiversity (gold), invisible and undiagnosed disabilities (white), psychiatric disabilities (blue), and sensory disabilities (green). The diagonal design symbolizes breaking through barriers.

On June 24, 2026, the Dallas City Council approved the display of the flag at Dallas City Hall Plaza from July 15 through July 31, 2026. The council also approved annual displays from July 1 through July 31 thereafter. The flag will remain on display through July 31, 2026.

The initiative was recommended by the Commission on Disabilities and advanced in partnership with the Office of Housing and Community Empowerment. The flag raising recognizes the history, advocacy, and contributions of people with disabilities.