Beautiful People,

As we dive into the heart of July, we find ourselves not only in the heat of summer but also in the middle of Disability Pride Month. This is a momentous time to celebrate the strength and resilience of people with disabilities, and to affirm our commitment to creating a world that is inclusive, accessible, and just for all.

The current heatwave, predicted to be one of the hottest on record for New York and across the United States, serves as a stark reminder of our ongoing battle for climate justice. This month, we are keenly focused on two pressing environmental challenges that are exacerbated by rising temperatures - heat vulnerability and air quality. Our communities, especially those who are most marginalized, including people with disabilities, bear the brunt of this climate crisis. From children playing in overheated streets to elderly individuals and disabled community members living in buildings without adequate air conditioning, the effects of heat vulnerability are life-threatening and immediate. Higher temperatures contribute to the formation of harmful ground-level ozone, intensifying the respiratory distress among community members, particularly those with pre-existing health conditions.

While these challenges may seem overwhelming, at UPROSE, we believe that resilience lies in community and unity. Disability Pride Month underscores this belief, reminding us of the power of diversity and the strength that comes from inclusion. It's a call to action for all of us to ensure that our climate justice efforts prioritize the needs of people with disabilities.

This July, we're intensifying our efforts to tackle these critical issues. We are committed to promoting initiatives that cool our cities, improve air quality, and protect the most vulnerable among us. We invite you to join us as we gather community members on Saturday, July 29 to share feelings on recent events, inform how climate change is impacting our health through visible signs like poor air quality and to build community during more rampant threatening occurrences. See more details below. Join us on this journey to create a safer, more equitable environment for everyone, regardless of ability

Continuing the good fight,

Elizabeth and the UPROSE team