Los Angeles Playground is an Inspiration to All
Like at any other playground, the joyous laughter of children is heard throughout "Shane's Inspiration." But unlike other playgrounds, the kids playing here are not simply having fun; they're learning a valuable lesson of acceptance and self-confidence.

Struggling to Participate -- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Latinos in the Political Process, Job Market
Leading up to the 2004 presidential election it seemed every other commercial was a political advertisement to educate and persuade voters. Despite propaganda saturation many citizens apparently feel apathy toward the electoral process. This feeling is especially evident among Latinos and people from other under-represented communities including those with disabilities.

Chicago's Aspira: Ready to Embrace Latino Youth with Mobility Impairments, But Where Are They?
In 1997, Hispanic Magazine reported that Aspira, a national organization dedicated to providing supportive educational services, mentoring programs and scholarship opportunities for Latino youth, proposed a conference in Washington D.C. to discuss and plan ways to address challenges that exist for Latino youth with disabilities. Exactly seven years later, Aspira's Chicago-area branches have yet to serve people with mobility impairments.

Learning Advocacy to Make Your Voice Heard
Latinos with disabilities in the United States are often faced with the dual challenges of being part of a minority and dealing with a language barrier. There is a new program in Denton, Texas for Latinos with disabilities who face multiple barriers that offers training on civil rights and other issues: the Denton County Advocate Training Project.

Diversity in the Workplace Conference Leaves Something to be Desired
I recently attended Best Diversity Practices' two-day "Diversity & Women Leadership Summit & Gala" in Washington DC. One goal of the conference was to allow business leaders to share strategies and insights about attracting and retaining a diverse employee base.

Developing Technologies for Amputees and People with Other Disabilities
Prosthetic technology has come a long way since the days of fictional characters like Captain Ahab of Moby Dick. Captain Ahab's peg leg was a simple wooden stick that replaced the part of his leg that was bitten off by the shark. Today in the United States many people with disabilities have access to more sophisticated and refined ways to simplify their lives.

Latino Commission on AIDS: Keeping a Positive Outlook on Life
Nestled on the ninth floor of a building on West 25th Street, the Latino Commission on AIDS is inconspicuous amongst the neighborhood's small businesses...."The Commission was established in 1990. It is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to improving and expanding HIV/AIDS prevention, research, treatment, and other services to the Latino community through organizing, education, program development, capacity building and training."

The Freedom to Play
To most children playing outdoors on swings and slides is a commonplace activity. But for many children with disabilities playing outside is often just a dream. Making that dream happen for kids and adults with disabilities in the San Francisco Bay Area became the mission of Eddie Snow, chairperson of the Barrier Free Park Committee of the Oakland Rotary Club.