According to the Pew Research Center, Latinx/Hispanics in the US accounted for approximately 19% of the total population in the US and this percentage continues to grow each year. This includes Latinx/Hispanics who immigrated to the US and those born in the US. According to the Latinx Project at NYU, there are about 11.8 million Latinx/Hispanics who identify with some type of disability. The two most frequent types of disabilities within this community are mobility disabilities (15.8%) and cognitive disabilities (13.3%). Latinx/Hispanics with disabilities experience barriers to independent and community living, like the rest of the disability community. However, Latinx/Hispanics with disabilities may also experience other barriers, such as language barriers, services that are not culturally competent, and racism, among others.
Latinx/Hispanics with disabilities have the same rights as non-Latinx/Hispanics with and without disabilities to live, work, and play in their communities of choice. They may require different levels and types of support to participate in their communities, live independently, or take advantage of the same opportunities as their peers without disabilities. NARIC’s information specialists are often asked for information and resources that Latinx/Hispanics with disabilities, their families, and service providers can use to participate in their communities and remove barriers.
Below, you will find just a few examples of evidence-based resources produced by the NIDILRR grantee community:
- Are you a Latinx/Hispanic parent with disabilities? The Parents Empowering Parents: National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities (PEP Center) conducts research and provides training and technical assistance to improve the lives of parents with disabilities and their families, particularly racial and ethnic minority parents. The PEP Center provides information sheets, research briefs, and other resources, including resources for parents with disabilities, legal professionals, social workers, and researchers that cover a variety of topics. The Center also provides resources in Spanish.
- Are you a Latinx/Hispanic with disabilities, a family member or friend, or business interested in learning about your rights and responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? The ADA National Network and its 10 Regional Centers serve as a platform to facilitate and support increased implementation of the ADA across all stakeholders. The ADA National Network provides resources and videos, and answers frequently asked questions, including publications about the ADA in Spanish. Several of the Regional Centers provide services in Spanish.
- Did you know that NARIC provides services in Spanish? Yes! Our website is available in Spanish, along with resources, Research In Focus articles (in Spanish) of recent NIDILRR-funded research, questions from the community (in Spanish), and more! Our Spotlight blog is also available in Spanish and our Spotlight Podcast includes episodes in Spanish. Contact NARIC to speak with our bilingual information specialist (in Spanish) who will be happy to assist you with your information and/or research needs in Spanish. You can even set up an Office Hour appointment to meet virtually!
To learn more about NIDILRR-funded research and these and other products from the NIDILRR community, contact NARIC’s information specialists.