A Brief But Spectacular take on embracing disability pride

In this Brief But Spectacular segment, Tiffany Yu traces how a childhood car accident reshaped her life and how choosing Disability Pride changed her future. She recalls years of silence and self-doubt, then describes the turning point of speaking directly to her younger self—“look at me now”—as permission to live openly. Yu connects that shift to founding Diversability and to centering disabled identity as a source of strength. Her story offers a concrete path: move from hiding to visibility, from shame to pride, and from isolation to community.

Yu names the problem—everyday ableism—and explains how it taught her to minimize herself. She gives examples of replacing that learned shame with practices of self-regard: speaking about her disability without apology, celebrating each part of who she is, and affirming that disabled lives are complete. She frames pride as daily work, not a one-time declaration, and shows how language choices either reinforce stigma or build belonging. The segment models that reframing in real time: she tells her story plainly and invites others to do the same.

Community is the outcome she’s after. Yu shares that her “why” is to help create spaces where disabled people are “seen, supported, and celebrated,” and she points to practical, culture-level change: listen to disabled voices, follow disabled leadership, and make room for participation in every setting. That vision aligns with building welcoming gatherings and programs that consider access from the start, such as the planning guidance in accessible events.

Who benefits when pride leads to everyday design choices? Blind people who use screen readers and keyboard-only users navigating with keyboard navigation; Deaf and hard of hearing people supported by captions and transcripts; people with cognitive disabilities who benefit from clear structure and plain language as outlined in this content creator guide; and Blind/Low vision audiences included through Audio Description. Yu’s message links identity, dignity, and participation—celebrate disability and build communities where disabled people belong.