Senator's Impassioned Keynote Focuses 2006 Bridges to Employment Conference on Challenges Confronting Latino Population in U.S.
Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte's opening keynote address riveted the 120 participants in the 5th national conference on Bridges to Employment for Latinos with Disabilities, held May 31-June 2 in San Antonio. Weaving together history, geography, medical experience and cultural insights, the former pharmacist's impassioned speech outlined the situation of her 800,000 constituents in a dominantly Latino part of Texas: San Antonio and surrounding areas.

Latino Health Care Crisis—Policy and Service Changes Needed to Address Growing Diabetes and Cardiac Health Issues
"Que sea humilde," says 15-year state senator Leticia Van de Putte, "doesn't cut it." This mindset of "don't be boastful" doesn't fly in the workforce, and it doesn't cut it in the community when individuals need health care services, either.

Human Touch in Information & Services at the Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services in Texas
Many Latinos with disabilities face challenges in becoming informed about the services and benefits available to them. Language differences may contribute to mis- and non-communication, and may add to individuals' exclusion from such programs. This can be especially true when it comes to services for people with disabilities such as vocational rehabilitation.

Best Practices in Job Readiness and Development in LA, Miami, San Antonio
Goodwill Industries is a community-based employment program that helps people with disabilities prepare for and enter the job market. According to Tammy Deininger, Senior Director of Workforce Development at Goodwill Industries, San Antonio, the organization started out with sheltered work centers teaching job readiness to people with disabilities.

Putting the Individual in Control: Consumer-Directed Services in Texas, New Jersey
"Human beings, by changing the inner attitude of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives." (William James, philosopher-psychologist, 1842-1910). According to Javier Robles, the Deputy Director of the New Jersey Division of Disability Services, this quotation defines what consumer-directed services are all about.

An Agent of Change at Wachovia
"We are agents of change," said Kathy Martinez, Executive Director of the World Institute on Disability, referring to the attendees of the Bridges to Employment Conference. One of the most important elements of being an "agent of change" is assuring that the words a person speaks match the actions they take.

Novelties in Assistive Technologies for the Workplace
It is often cited that approximately 70 percent of people with disabilities are unemployed. One of the most frequently stated reasons is that employers, many of whom do not have disabilities, focus on the limitations of a disabled individual instead of his or her potential.

Another Successful Bridges to Employment Conference
Kathy Martinez, Proyecto Visión Project Director and recently-appointed Executive Director of the World Institute on Disability, welcomed old friends and new to the 2006 Bridges to Employment Conference in San Antonio, where Latinos from around the country converged for three days of workshops, networking, and information on best practices on employment at the beginning of June.

Perspectives in Research: Results From Studies About Latinos with Disabilities
Research about Latinos generally, and about Latinos with disabilities in particular, has been virtually nonexistent, according to Rene Luna, team leader of Community Economic Development team at Access Living Center for Independent Living in Chicago.

"There Are No Beds" for Kids with Mental Illness in Texas
The topic of mental illness is rarely talked about publicly in this country. Society in general tends to shy away from dealing with mental health issues, which should be a national concern. Perhaps due to lack of exposure, people can fall under the impression that they are immune from experiencing mental illness and pay no attention to the issue until it "hits home."

Planning, Saving and Smartly Spending Money as a Person with a Disability
People with disabilities, whether they are living on Social Security, earned income, or some combination, would do well to become financially literate, learn about financial planning, asset building and other financial strategies, says Tammy Deininger, Director of Workforce Development, Goodwill Industries of San Antonio.

One Family's Experience with Disability, Independent Living & Latino Culture
Many Latinos in the United States stay true to their cultures, especially, those who travel from native lands and settle here. As for Latinos born and raised in the United States, it is often the role of their elder family members to uphold cultural traditions. Latinos in general preserve their culture by involving themselves in the richness of their foods, music, language, and religious beliefs often shared among family members.

Who is Employing People with Disabilities? Leaders in Diversity from the Public, Private Sectors
Creating successful solutions in the workplace involves many components. Two of these are a willing company and an individual who is empowered to go after the job and ask for what they need in order to be successful. Count among the ranks of "willing companies" such notables as Microsoft Corporation, Wachovia, and AT&T.