Senator Van de Putte & Comedian Fonseca to Keynote Latino Employment Conference

Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte and performer Chris Fonseca will give keynote addresses during Proyecto Visión’s fifth national Bridges to Employment conference May 31 - June 2 in San Antonio.

Migrant Workers in Texas and Louisiana Confront Disabling, Hazardous Conditions

As a child living in North Texas, I would often listen to the historical tales about my parents as early farm-workers and laborers. During her childhood my mother worked on a farm in Vernon, Texas with her parents and siblings. I would listen closely as my mother described the harsh conditions of picking cotton in the hot days of summer.

Heroes: Defined by their Dreams, Not by their Disabilities

As a Puerto Rican child, I had no disabled role model to serve as an example that a person with a disability could be successful and contribute as a productive member of society. If I did not have a support system that consisted of my family and friends, it would have been easy for me to succumb to the stereotypes that society has for people who are physically and mentally challenged.

Pennsylvania Outreach Campaign Features Superstore Sundays, Disability Forums and Community Fairs

One breezy Thursday morning, folks traveling the busiest street in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's capital, were treated to an unusual sight. They encountered some of the nation's premier public lawyers for disability rights gathered on the street corner and waving to passersby.

Disclosure and Personal Empowerment

As a Latina with a sensory disability, I often asked myself whether or not to disclose my disability. During most of my life, I have experienced that difficult choice. My family did not treat me as an individual with a special need. Therefore, I didn’t acknowledge myself as a person with a disability.

Everyday Struggles of a Learning Disabled Individual

I remember what a couple of years ago, my college career counselor/big brother Mario Morales told me when I first attended City University: "When you graduate from college you will then enter a challenge and the real world." He was so right!

Eva's Story and Tips for Persons with Blindness or Vision Impairments

Eva Smith, a resident of Alvin, Texas, a small town near Houston, is a strong Latino wife and parent who was blinded by Retinopathy of Prematurity, a disease of the retina that affects prematurely born babies. As a child, Eva's mother did not want her to go to a special school for the blind in Austin because she wanted her to be like all the other children in the neighborhood.

California Festival to Honor the Agricultural Worker

The 11th annual "Dia del Trabajador Agricola" took place August 28, 2005 in Greenfield, CA. Located 35 miles south of Salinas, Greenfield is a small predominately agricultural community. For many workers the event is a family tradition; it is the day they feel honored.

From Isolation to Connections: California Families Share Experiences

Angie Gomez's son was born with a seizure disorder. Suddenly, she found herself trapped in an avalanche of medical referrals, social workers, doctors, paperwork and more paperwork. She felt scared and alone. Whom could she turn to?

How to Reduce the Divide between Disabled and Non-Disabled People

It's not easy being disabled, yet it amazes me the way some people with extreme disabilities continue the struggle to become accepted members of society. It isn't easy, you know. Some Americans are fearful of disabled persons because they don't understand what it means to have a disability.

Melting Pot: Helen Keller Services for the Blind, Brooklyn

Brooklyn is the biggest borough in New York City. To locate an organization that has a fine work history, look no further than 57 Willoughby Street in Brooklyn, NY, home of "Helen Keller Services for the Blind." This agency has been serving the handicapped community for over 100 years and counting. Since 1893, the agency has been a pioneer in the field of blindness rehabilitation.

California Assistive Technology and Employment Expo

Assistive Technology (AT) can dramatically increase the employment success of people with disabilities. However, many times employers and even employees are not aware of the different types of AT available. In an effort to increase awareness of the various AT devices in the market, the "Assistive Technology and Employment Expo" occurred on October 13, 2005 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Seaside, CA.

Encourages Understanding, Exchange Among Emerging Leaders

Each year in Washington, DC, Dan Hopkins & Associates conducts a training for people with disabilities who come from around the country. At last year's event, 13 Latinos – all of whom in one way or another are involved in the disability field – participated in the training.

Cycling Program for Latinos with Disabilities Builds Community, Self-Esteem

The staff at Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital in Chicago, IL has created a cycling program for Latinos with disabilities. The program was started to fill in the gap of physical activities and recreational opportunities available for Latinos with disabilities in the city.