Understanding the Disability Flag: Symbolism, History, and Meaning
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2022/07/25 - Updated: 2025/04/19
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: Disability Awareness - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This article provides an insightful overview of the concept and significance of the Disability Flag, a symbol created to represent people with disabilities worldwide. It explains the thoughtful design elements and the meaning behind each color choice, making it a valuable resource for raising awareness and promoting visibility for a community often overlooked. The information is particularly helpful to individuals with disabilities, seniors, advocates, and organizations seeking a unifying symbol to foster inclusion and acknowledgment. By highlighting the creation and purpose of the flag, the article offers a meaningful point of connection for those wishing to support disability rights and visibility efforts - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
The Disability Flag
The Disability flag, Overcoming flag, or Flag of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a flag that represents people who have disabilities.
Main Content
The Disability flag was created by the Valencian dancer Eros Recio in 2017 and presented to the United Nations (UN). The Disability flag is for general use, especially at disability-centered events. It has also been flown at the International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebrations.
The Disability flag design is a tricolor flag with three equally-sized horizontal stripes of gold, silver, and bronze. The flag represents people with disabilities, their struggle for rights, and related concepts, and the Paralympics. The Disability flag colors represent the three medals at the Paralympic Games, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. However, according to the designer of the flag Eros Recio the three colors also represent the different forms of disability, physical, mental (intellectual or psychosocial), and sensory. But, the meanings of these colors are open to interpretation by the communities they represent.
The proportion of the Disability flag is a 3:5 ratio with three equally sized horizontal stripes of gold, silver, and bronze.
- Gold Stripe: Hexadecimal and RGB color: #EBC03D RGB(235,192,61)
- Silver Stripe: Hexadecimal and RGB color: #D0D2D1 RGB(208,210,209)
- Bronze Stripe: Hexadecimal and RGB color: #D49949 RGB(212,153,73)
View information and image of the new Disability Pride Flag design.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The Disability Flag stands as a testament to the evolving nature of disability advocacy, reflecting both the need for visibility and the importance of accessibility within the community itself. Its thoughtful design and the collaborative process behind its creation demonstrate how symbols can foster unity while respecting the diverse needs of those they represent. As society continues to recognize and address the varied experiences of people with disabilities, such symbols become even more vital in shaping conversations around rights, acceptance, and inclusion - Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.