Nearly 100 Latinos with disabilities, service providers and employers gathered last April at Chicago's Sinai Community Center to discuss the struggle for employment among Latinos with disabilities. Anel Gonzáles, a primary conference organizer, said the 'Understanding the Struggle for Employment' conference, presented by the Committee for the Integration of Latinos with Disabilities, attracted the largest crowd he has ever seen at an event of this type.

Illinois State Senator Miguel Del Valle opened the conference by offering words of encouragement, "Even though the state is in financial crisis, the disability community must continue to organize and advocate." Del Valle urged attendees to become stronger advocates, empowering themselves by learning about the issues. The audience appreciated Del Valle's galvinizing words, especially considering many are staring in the face of adversity.

Grim Employment Situation for Latinos with Disabilities in Illinois
In Illinois, 45 % of the total population, or just more than 690,000 people, have come to the US from Latin America in search of a better life for themselves and their families. (Fund for Immigrants and Refugees Final Report, May 2002). According to 2000 Census, the Latino population in Illinois increased more than 69 % between 1990 and 2000, the Chicago metropolitan area being the most popular destination.

Despite growing numbers, it is difficult for Latino immigrants in Illinois to turn the American dream into reality. Many face multiple barriers when trying to get jobs, such as low levels of education, limited job skills and limited English proficiency. Latinos know the ability to speak English means more opportunity. Studies show Latino immigrants who speak English earn 17 % more than those who do not. (Chiswick and Miller, 1992)

Often forgotten is a subgroup among Latinos who confront even more numerous barriers to employment - those with disabilities. According to the Metro Chicago Information Center, only four percent of Latinos with disabilities in the Chicago area have college degrees. And of those who are working, only 24 % work full time. Furthermore, 83 % have a disability that limits the type and amount of work they are able to do.

Latinos without disabilities primarily occupy low-paying jobs in the service, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors (Profile of the Foreign-Born Population in the United States, 2000, U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Reports). Latinos with disabilities have to deal with additional discrimination that makes it harder to secure desirable positions. The grave employment situation is exacerbated by the fact that some employers in the United States discriminate against people with disabilities by denying rights such as access to reasonable accommodations and other protections afforded under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Illinois Human Rights Act.

Conference Panels Address Key Issues

The purpose of the Conference was to understand and explain the struggle that Latinos with disabilities face when entering and advancing in the workforce. Hard-hitting conference panels went right to the heart of the subject at hand.

The workshop entitled 'Struggle for Employment: The Experiences of Latinos with Disabilities' was moderated by Rene Luna, coordinator of the Immigrants with Disabilities Rights project at Access Living. The cross-disability panel speakers included Latinos with spinal injury, hearing impairment and HIV. Their stories were different but they shared (and reiterated) a feeling of alienation from information and resources in the community. The panel pointed to limited access to education and lack of legal documentation as major barriers to employment for disabled Latinos.

The 'Employment Rights & Resources Panel' covered a lot of ground. Elsa Cruz, public affairs specialist for the Social Security Administration in Chicago, calmed fears about losing benefits when enrolling in the Ticket to Work program. Francisco Alvarado, manager of Latino services at the Illinois Department of Human Services' Office of Rehabilitation Services, responded to questions regarding bilingual staffing and services available for deaf Latinos. Anel González, bilingual technical assistance specialist at the Great Lakes ADA & IT Center informed the audience about how businesses and people with disabilities can get technical assistance and training regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

Kathy Martinez, deputy director of the World Institute on Disability and project director of Proyecto Visión, moderated the closing workshop entitled 'Creating Opportunities for Employment.' Panelist Zully Alvarado, an entrepreneur with a disability who owns her own financial services consulting agency, reminded the audience that it is important to "follow your dreams, no matter what obstacles others place in your way." Zully's comment set the optimistic tone of the final panel. The City of Chicago Deputy Commissioner for the Mayor's Office Gil Selder took the opportunity as panelist to announce new plans for business owners with disabilities. For the first time, disability status will be considered in procurement contracts with the city, with a goal that five % of the City's contracts will be awarded to business owners with disabilities.

Forging Partnerships to Change the Future

The conference aimed at educating the public while encouraging grassroot involvement, and joining groups (parents, people with disabilities, service providers) to begin collaborative efforts. At the conclusion of the conference the Office of Rehabilitation Services pledged continued involvement. Ms. Alvarado remarked, "I expect this will be even bigger next year with more speakers and better attendance."

Anel González noted part of the event's success was due to the unusual collaboration between community-based organizations and government agencies. "Community and government collaboration is a positive sign for the future of Latinos with disabilities in Illinois," said González.
Keying on the success of the conference, the organizing committee now plans to develop conferences around housing, education and other issues of major concern to Latinos with disabilities.

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