Autism Web Site for Spanish-Speaking Families
A new Web site, created by families for families, provides information in Spanish about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). A chat room and forum area are under development. These will be moderated by parents of children with autism. Two doctors and an advocate will help to answer questions.

Tool Kit for Hispanic/Latino Families
The President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans collaborated with the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans to create a Tool Kit for Hispanic Families. The resource was designed as part of a public awareness campaign aimed at closing the achievement gap for Hispanic children, and setting new and high expectations this group. The Tool Kit includes six brochures covering topics such as “Tips for Helping Children Learn to Read,” “A Challenging High School Education for All,” and “School Success for Your Child.” Copies are available free of charge by calling (877) 433-7827 or writing edpubs@inet.ed.gov.

Capacity Builder Newsletter About Research on Disabled Minorities
The Capacity Builder is the newsletter of the Center for Capacity Building on Minorities with Disabilities Research. Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, the Center aims to increase the capacity of community-based organizations (CBOs like Centers for Independent Living and other agencies) serving minorities with disabilities and state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies to involve consumers in identifying service needs and developing organizational improvement strategies through evaluation research. The Center is conducting participatory research and demonstration projects, engaging in active dissemination efforts, and providing state-of-the art evaluation and cultural competence training and technical assistance to professionals and researchers in the field. The Capacity Builder is published two times per year, April and September.  For a print or electronic copy, contact Tina Taylor-Ritzler, Ph.D. at tritzler@uic.edu or 312-413-4149.

Latino Health Website
The Celebra La Vida (Celebrate Life) website is a bilingual (English, Spanish) multi-media health awareness campaign focusing on health disparities among Latinos across the U.S. It also includes an on the ground health tour. The campaign incorporates public, private, local and national partners along with the Federal Government. It includes special sections on Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease, HIV/AIDS, Infant Mortality and SIDS, Stroke and more. http://www.celebralavida.com

NINDA Launches Stroke Awareness Video for Hispanics
Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability in the U.S. The disease also disproportionately affects Hispanics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hispanics 35-64 years old are 1.3 times more likely to have a stroke than whites in the same age group. Today, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) released a Spanish video designed to educate Hispanic communities nationwide about stroke prevention and treatment. The video, entitled "Ataque cerebral: Conozca los síntomas y actúe a tiempo," was developed in partnership with the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization and an umbrella for more than 300 affiliated Hispanic-serving organizations nationwide. To obtain a single free copy of the video, call toll-free 1-800-352-9424 (ask for a Spanish-speaking information specialist). Additional information about stroke prevention and treatment is available at http://www.stroke.ninds.nih.gov/

Training Manual Available in Spanish
Training Quality Home Health Aides, an effective practice description published by the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute (PHI) in 2003, is now available free of charge in Spanish, thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Labor. The 32-page document discusses adult learner-centered training methods, the importance of teaching communication and problem-solving in addition to clinical skills, and orientation, peer mentoring, and other forms of on-the-job support. To order a free copy call 866-402-4138 or e-mail info@directcareclearinghouse.org. Download it online at http://www.paraprofessional.org/publications/SP_Training_Document_final.pdf.

Yojule! Spanish-Language Website for Youth
The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHY) created a Spanish-language website where adolescents with disabilities can learn, grow, connect and have fun with other youth online. The site is divided into four sections: disability; school; family and health. It contains a variety of information and resources aimed at educating adolescents by using a youthful appeal. Available at http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/spanish/paraninos.asp.

Support Group for Latina Women with Disabilities in Chicago
Laura Rourke, Latino community outreach worker at Access Living in Chicago, heads up a support group for Latina women with disabilities mothers whose children have disabilities. The group offers a safe space for women of all ages and disability types to get together to learn about the laws that protect them, meet new people and make friends. Often the members share information about accessible transportation and recreation for their children. Group activities, outings and parties occur regularly. The group meets once a month at independent living center Access Living. Contact Rourke if you'd like to join this group or if you would like to start a similar group in your area at (312) 253-7000.

GovLoans.gov en Español
US Deputy Secretary of Labor Steven Law announced the launch of GovLoans.gov en Español and the expansion of the GovBenefits.gov Web site to more than 1,000 federal and state benefit programs. GovLoans.gov En Español offers Spanish-speaking communities greater access to available federal and state loan program information. The GovBenefits.gov Web site is one of the key initiatives of the President's E-Government Strategy which focuses on making government programs and information more accessible to the public. "GovBenefits.gov offers diverse and extensive benefit program information for veterans, seniors, students, teachers, children, people with disabilities, dependents, disaster victims, farmers, caregivers, job seekers, prospective homeowners and more," said Deputy Secretary Law. http://www.govloans.gov/govloans_es.portal

Spanish-Language Resources on the Web
Parent's Resource
The Spanish version of "Steps to Success: Communicating with Your Child's School" has been Developed by CADRE and its partner NICHCY. This resource offers specific communication skills that may be helpful to parents as they develop and maintain partnerships with their child's school. To access the Spanish version of the document go to http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/successesp.cfm

Department of Education Resources
The U.S. Department of Education has updated the link on its home page for Spanish speakers. The site provides a range of educational related information and can be accessed in Spanish through the home page by clicking "Recursos en español." http://www.ed.gov/espanol/bienvenidos/es

Education Information
The Education Trust has recently unveiled a website for the Latino community, in both Spanish and English, which features education-related reports and resources for parents, community leaders, and advocates. http://spanish.edtrust.org

Hispanic Health
The National Alliance for Hispanic Health has developed a website containing fact sheets, in English and Spanish, covering health topics of special concern to Hispanic Americans. You can also find news, actions to take, scholarship information, and other resources on the site. http://www.hispanichealth.org/factsheets/

Autism Society of America
The Autism Society of America (ASA) announces the launch of a Spanish-language section on its Web site. http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer

SchwabLearning.org
SchwabLearning recently announced the revision of their Spanish mini Web site. Over 20 key articles have been translated into Spanish. For more information go to http://www.schwablearning.org/espanol/index.asp

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Fact Sheets addressing medical research on Autism are available from National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in English and Spanish. The Spanish Fact Sheets can be found by scrolling down the page. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubskey.cfm?from=autism

Transition Planning Tool in Spanish
The curriculum, "My Future My Plan" is designed to motivate and guide students with disabilities and their families as they begin early transition planning for life after high school. The curriculum package is available in both Spanish and English. For more information go to http://www.ncset.org/publications/mfmp.asp

First Validated Screen for Learning Disabilities for Spanish Speaking Adult Populations
The State University of New York's University Center for Academic and Workforce Development put out a paper evaluating existing screening devices to identify learning disabilities in Spanish-speaking adults and offers recommendations regarding the diagnostic process based on the findings. The Empire State Screen also is introduced as helping to determine the likelihood of a given person having learning disabilities. For additional information or copies of the screen please contact: Mike Helman, Learning Disabilities Association of Western New York, Main Office, 2555 Elmwood Avenue, Kenmore, New York 14217, (716) 874-7200, Email: LDAofWNY@aol.com

Special Education Meeting Translators, Rights Seminars in Spanish
In Chicago, Illinois individual assistance is available in Spanish to prepare parents for Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and other special education meetings. Information, referral and linkage services are available by phone in Spanish, from a bilingual information and training specialist.

The Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD) also offers free special education rights training seminars in Spanish twice a month, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month (except holidays) from 10:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m. in the FRCD office.

For more information, contact Linda De Santiago, FRCD Bilingual Information Training Specialist, (312) 939-3513 or visit their website. http://www.frcd.org

Spanish-Language Video For Parents of Hearing Impaired Children
The Florida Department of Health has a resource especially for the Spanish-speaking community who may be suffering with hearing loss, particularly the hearing loss of an infant. This site includes Spanish-language videos on caring for a hearing-impaired infant, learning how to advocate on that child's behalf and help him or her to develop normal social and intellectual capacity, and printable guides to everyday life in a family with a hearing-impaired child.

The video and English-language resources (http://www.cms-kids.com/InfantHearing.htm) and downloadable guide (http://www.cms-kids.com/IHFamilySpa.htm) are available online.

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day – October 15
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) is an opportunity for Latinos to take action against HIV by learning more about the disease and getting counseled and tested for HIV. HIV and AIDS significantly impact Latinos, who make up the largest minority group in the country. From 1999-2002 in the 29 U.S. states with longstanding reporting, HIV diagnoses among Latinos increased 26 percent. Latinos are more than three times as likely as Whites to be diagnosed with AIDS, and AIDS is currently the third leading cause of death for Latinos ages 35-44. The Department of Health and Human Services is sponsoring health fairs in Latino communities that will tie in with NLAAD. For more information about HIV/AIDS in the Latino community, visit the Office of Minority Health’s website.

Putting the Word out to Latinas Who Have Breast Cancer
Breast cancer, a terrifying disease for any woman, can be even more so for women whose cultural beliefs get in the way of prompt diagnosis and treatment. That's why Latina breast cancer survivors from the Philadelphia area have teamed up with Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a nonprofit organization based in Ardmore, to create an educational guide. The bilingual, 80-page, paperback book We Celebrate Tomorrow: Latinas Living Beyond Breast Cancer (Celebramos el Manaña: Latinas que Sobrevivien el Cancer del Seno) is available, free, to any Latina woman with breast cancer. The book was written by Aracely Rosales, an author and Guatemala native.

Report Highlights Barriers to Latino Home Buying
In 2004, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute conducted focus groups in 11 cities to learn more about the barriers to Latino homeownership and to identify solutions. A report on the findings cites many barriers, including rising housing costs, low savings and incomes, lack of information about the home-buying process, and an inadequate selection of prime loan products for consumers without traditional credit histories. According to the report, the housing industry is doing more to reach out to Latino home buyers, but further steps are needed, including creating a secondary market for mortgage loans sold to consumers who don't yet have a valid Social Security number. For more information or to access the report, visit the Institute's website.

Bilingual Tips for Navigating the College Admissions Process
The Princeton Review, an educational services company, and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), the nation's leading organization supporting Hispanic education, made the Spanish-English Roadmap to College available for free. The Roadmap is a bilingual resource that helps demystify the college admissions process for Spanish-speaking students and their families. It includes information about changes to the SAT, tips on using the Internet in the college admissions process, and researching what college admissions officers look for in prospective students.

Cultural Competence and Family Caregivers
A monograph published by the Family Caregiver Alliance offers advice for health and human service practitioners on how to work with Latino family and informal caregivers. Cultural Competency In Working With Latino Family Caregivers includes case studies, cultural competency guidelines, and a resource list.

Soy Unica, Soy Latina
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) developed a bilingual public education initiative for Hispanic girls ages 9-14 and their mothers and other caregivers. The initiative, called ¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! is designed to help these girls build and enhance their own self-esteem and mental health, decision-making and assertiveness skills, and to prevent the harmful consequences of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. The ¡Soy Unica, Soy Latina! project encourages cultural pride by emphasizing the strengths inherent in the Hispanic culture; initiative materials include posters, activity books, brochures, and a Web site. The material addresses belonging and adaptation, teaches assertiveness and decision-making skills, and provides tips on becoming healthy and successful young adults.

New Report Examines Educational, Linguistic Needs Of Young Latino Children And Their Families
Source: FPG Child Development Institute - Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic group in the U.S. today. Nationally, Latino parents have participated at lower rates in early childhood education and early intervention services than parents from other racial and ethnic backgrounds. A new study examines the linguistically and culturally relevant practices that state administrators reported were recommended or being used by early education and intervention programs that enrolled Latino children and families. This study consisted of a national survey of 117 state administrators of early childhood programs in 48 states and the District of Columbia to examine specific challenges, strategies, and beliefs around serving Latino children and families. Access the full report online.

Closing the Latino Education Gap

The Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options (HCREO) was established in response to the educational achievement gap among Latino children in the United States. The primary goal of the organization is to improve the educational outcomes of Latino children. HCREO members publish a variety of studies and reports about the current crisis. A recent report is entitled "The Enduring Crisis in the Education of Hispanic Children: A Call to Latinos for a New Social Activism." HCREO membership dues are waived for the first year, and $15 each subsequent year. Members receive monthly e-mail updates, a quarterly newsletter, access to local resources and school choice organizations. Contact HCREO at 877-888-2736 for membership and inquiries.

Spotlight on Minority Health and Health Care Disparities
Kaisernetwork.org, the Kaiser Foundation's online news and information service, recently added a new issue "Spotlight on Minority Health and Health Care Disparities." This feature is designed to provide up-to-date news and information about efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health care. It includes a reference library of key publications, organizations, and other resources; key data on the health status of groups of color; links to recent reports; current headlines from the Kaiser Daily Reports; and recent HealthCasts and transcripts of health conferences and events focused on communities of color.

Manual on Ensuring Linguistic Access in Health Care Settings - Legal Rights & Responsibilities
This comprehensive manual shows advocates and providers how to overcome language barriers to obtain appropriate medical care for their clients. It outlines language access responsibilities under federal and state law, as well as in the private sector, and offers recommendations for addressing identified problems. Further details and ordering information accessible online at the HealthLaw website.

Key Facts: Latinos and HIV/AIDS
In July 2003, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation released comprehensive data on the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on Latinos in the United States. In an update from a similar study conducted in 2001, Key Facts: Latinos and HIV/AIDS reports that Latinos continue to account for a greater proportion of new HIV infections and AIDS cases than their representation in the United States population overall. It provides a current snapshot of the epidemic among Latinos and information about trends over time using recent data and research. There also is a section dedicated to Latinos' perceptions of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Latina Empowerment
East Los Angeles native Yasmin Davidds-Garrido wrote Empowering Latinas: Breaking Boundaries, Freeing Lives to bring "hope and power to a new generation of Latinas." In her book, Davidds-Garrido explains that most Latinas do not question their cultural traditions even though they are often very limiting.

She broaches seldomly-discussed topics such as shame and sexuality, the Catholic Church, self-esteem, mental health, and the idea of equality as a birthright. The book includes exercises to teach women methods of empowering themselves to overcome cultural barriers. Proyecto VisiÛn staff did not read this book before including it in our resource section, but all the independent reader reviews were raves.

Spanish-language Web Site For President Fox's Office for People with Disabilities
In Mexico President Vicente Fox created the Office for the Promotion and Social Integration of People with Disabilities. The Office's Web site might be useful to Latinos in the United States who have family or friends with disabilities in Mexico, or for people with disabilities who are considering visiting Mexico. The Web site includes information about the programs Fox has implemented in Mexico regarding people with disabilities. It also features a list of disability organizations in Mexico and basic information about some disabilities including Down syndrome, spina bifida and multiple sclerosis. This Web site is only in Spanish.

National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE)
Promoting educational excellence and equity through bilingual education, the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) is the only national organization exclusively concerned with the education of language-minority students in American schools.

El Pueblo, Inc.
The Raleigh-based non-profit organization El Pueblo, Inc. is a statewide (North Carolina) advocacy and policy organization dedicated to strengthening the Latino community. According to El Pueblo's Web site, the Latino population of North Carolina is the fastest growing of any state in the country. El Pueblo is answering North Carolina's growing Latino population with leadership, youth, culture, education, health and civic participation programs. They also have a national referral resources list that includes toll-free numbers for everything from an AIDS to migrant education hotlines.

ARRIBA in D.C.
Thanks to a grants from the District of Columbia Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs, the ARRIBA Center for Independent Living has an employment training program for people with disabilities, with special emphasis on the Latino community. They offer assistance in job searches, computer and interview skills training, and more. Contact Dr. Cris Covelli at (202) 667-3990 for information.

Employment for Pennsylvania Latinos
Latinos in Pennsylvania can check this web site for job listings. Listings include jobs in professional, organizational, and construction/retail settings.

National Council of La Raza
"The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization established in 1968 to reduce poverty and discrimination, and improve life opportunities for Hispanic Americans" at the local community and national level. Their website includes a press room regarding policy decisions affecting the Hispanic community, a listing of special events, contact information as well as links to other Hispanic websites and resources. To contact La Raza: President/CEO Raul Yzaguirre, National Council of La Raza, 1111 19th, NW Suite 1000,Washington, DC 20036, (Phone) 202-785-1670 or Angela Arbodela, Civil Rights Policy Analyst (Phone) 202-776-1789

Aspira: An Investment in Latino Youth
"The ASPIRA Association, Inc. is the only national nonprofit organization devoted solely to the education and leadership development of Puerto Rican and other Latino youth. Since 1961 ASPIRA has pursued its mission of empowering the Latino community through the development of its youth. All of ASPIRA's goals and activities spring from one basic belief: Puerto Ricans and Latinos have the collective potential to move their community forward." They also participate in a youth leadership development program, focusing in on schools where there is a large Latino population, and empowering them to be community leaders through education and community service. Each local organization has clubs that provide Latino youths with college and career counseling, advocacy, financial aid and scholarships. The organization has branches in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico in addition to its national office in Washington, DC. To contact the national office: Aspira,1444 Eye Street, NW, Suite 800,Washington D.C. 20005, Phone (202) 835-3600, Fax (202) 835-3613,e-mail info@aspira.org 

HACU (Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities)
This organization is committed to a giving Hispanics the opportunity to pursue higher education; it organizes many events to achieve this goal, including educational workshops. Other services on their website include links for fellowship information including those to the military, job and internship opportunities etc. Contact: HACU National Internship Program (HNIP), One Dupont Circle, N.W., Suite 605,Washington, D.C. 20036, (202) 467-0893 (voice) (202) 496-9177 (fax), E-Mail: hnip@hacu.net. National Headquarters, 8415 Datapoint Drive, Suite 400, San Antonio, TX 78229, (210) 692-3805 (voice), (210) 692-0823 (fax). E-mail: hacu@hacu. 

Center for the Advancement of Hispanic and Science and Engineering Education (CAHSEE)
CAHSEE is an organization created by Latino engineers and scientists dedicated to the advancement of Hispanics in science and engineering careers. CAHSEE's efforts are concentrated in preparing Latino youth to enter and succeed in science and engineering schools and to complete graduate degrees, and in mentoring young Latino scientists and engineers to assume leadership positions in corporate America, academia, research government labs, and government. Our goals include the development of a cohesive national network of Latino engineers and scientists working together to achieve success in the professional and civic arenas. Contact: CAHSEE, The George Washington University, 707 22nd Street, NW Room 105, Washington, DC 20052, Phone: (202) 994-6529, FAX: (202) 994-2459, Email: cahsee@seas.gwu.edu 

LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens)
With the creation of the LULAC National Educational Service Centers in 1973; LULAC centralized its educational effort in a network of sixteen counseling centers coordinated by an office in Washington, DC. LULAC's National Education Service Center's mission is to increase educational opportunities for Hispanic Americans through the development and implementation of effective programs in Hispanic communities throughout the United States". This organization offers scholarship for Latino young people while also coordinating a leadership for high school students, which allow students to learn leadership skills valuable in serving community at the local level through projects and workshops. This organization also provides young readers with a literacy program and a middle school intervention initiative, which is a tutoring program to ready 7th and 8th graders for further education. Contact: LULAC National Headquarters, Richard Roybal, Executive Director, 2000 L Street, NW Suite 610, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 835-9685

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
This organization is committed to developing Hispanic leadership development by providing educational scholarships, a leadership development program, and other activities designed to prepare Hispanics to be professionals serving their communities. Contact: CHCI - 504 C Street NE, Washington, DC 20002, (phone) 202.543.1771; (fax) 202.546.2143, President/CEO: Ingrid Duran

NALEO: The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials
This organization is committed to empowering Latinos to become elected and appointed political officials and other actors within the American political process through their educational fund as well as leadership development initiatives. Contact: 311 Massachusetts Ave., NE Washington, D.C. 20002, (202) 546-2536, (202) 546-4121 (fax) olopez@naleo.org (There is also contact information for the LA. Houston, and NYC offices on the NALEO website).

National Hispanic Council on Aging
This organization is committed to serving the elderly Hispanic population in the US, focused on such important issues as employment, further education, housing, and healthcare. Contact: nhcoa@wordnett.att.net If you would prefer to contact individual members of the council, e-mail addresses are located on the "staff" section of the site listed above, including the e-mail for the President/CEO.

MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund)
In addition to providing legal defense support to Latinos, MALDEF is also involved in promoting education at the community level in organizing leadership development programs for mid-career professionals, those interested in grass root community organization, and for Latino parents who wish to serve in schools, teaching their children and other students important leadership skills. They also sponsor scholarships for selected programs of study. Contact (Washington Office): MALDEF, 1717 K Street NW #311,Washington, DC 20036. Phone: 202-293-2828, Fax: 202-293-2849. Their website lists contact information for all 7 regional offices.

Mana: A National Latina Organization
This is a pan-American organization that used to be focused on Mexican Americans but now is focused on all Latinas. It is committed to empowering Latinas through leadership development and community service initiatives. Their website features a link page which directs you to other various specialized Latino organizations in addition to providing a rather extensive list of educational scholarship opportunities for Hispanics and non-Hispanics alike. Contact: Mana, A National Latina Organization, 1725 K Street, NW, Suite 501, Washington, DC 20006. Phone: (202) 833-0060, Fax: (202) 496-0588 , e-mail: hermana2@aol.com

Hispanic Online
Hispanic Online lists many Latino organizations with a focus on education issues. Among these are: Bilingual Private Schools Association (BIPRISA) Contact: BIPRISA, President Demetrio Perez Jr., 904 S.W. 23rd Avenue, Miami, FL 33135. Tel: 305-643-4888, Fax: 305-649-2767

Consortium to Identify and Promote Hispanic Professionals: The Hispanic Expert Database Contact: Director Michael Sullivan, Hispanic Research Center. P.O. Box 872702, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-2702

Los Padres Foundation A nonprofit foundation that provides college tuition support, mentoring, and part-time jobs. Contact: President Lillian Rios,Hamilton Grange Post Office, P.O. Box 85, New York, NY 10031

Project 00
This is a national project devoted to helping underrepresented minorities apply to graduate school. Academic advisors for the program are bilingual in Spanish and English and are there to answer any questions about where to apply, what to do on an application to increase your chance of being accepted, how to apply for financial aid etc. They also sponsor GRE workshops all around the country. Contact by telephone at 17-4893

Latino Issues Forum
This is a public policy and advocacy institute located in San Francisco committed to advancing policies that would promote a more equitable society in areas such as healthcare, education, technology, and development. Contact: Latino Issues Forum, A Public Policy and Advocacy Institute, 785 Market Street, Third Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103, Fax: 415.284.7222, Phone: 415.84.7220, e-mail: lifcentral@lif.org

National Latino Children's Institute
This organization focuses on the needs of Latino children and teenagers in the US and advocates policies that will improve education, community involvement, and good children to parent relationships. Their website provides news, their agenda, and different events/projects that the institute is involved in. Contact: nlci@nlci.org 

REFORMA: The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos
REFORMA is committed to the improvement of the full spectrum of library and information services for the approximately 35.3 million Spanish-speaking and Latino people in the United States. It is an affiliate of the ALA (American Library Association) seeking to provide Latinos all around the US with bilingual and bicultural library staff, Spanish language materials, and education about library services. There are local chapters all around the country, including DC, giving service to local Latino communities; there is contact information for the local chapters on the website.

Resource Center for the Americas
The Resource Center for the Americas is a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization committed to various social issues in the Americas. Their webs resource provides general information that may be of interest to the Latino community in the US and abroad such as daily news updates in addition to resources within their organization such as job and internship opportunities, study abroad, volunteer programs etc. Contact: Resource Center of the Americas, 3019 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 612-276-0788, (telephone), 612-276-0898 (fax), info@americas.org -mail)

MSSD Pre-College Deaf Hispanic Program
MSSD Pre-College Deaf Hispanic Program, P.O. Box 2222, Washington, DC

National Hispanic Council of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
This organization's website provides information about scholarship opportunities for Latinos who wish to pursue higher education. Contact: National Hispanic Council of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, c/o D.E.A.F., Inc. - Ivy Velez, Chairperson, 215 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA 02134, (6-4041.

Research Study on Latino Access to Rehabilitative Services Available
The Rehabilitative Services Administration did a research project on Latino access to rehabilitation services in the US in 1996. It is available at the American Rehabilitation Journal at the following citation:

Santiago, Anna M.; Villarruel, Anna M.; Villarruel, Francisco A.; Leahy, Michael J. Latino access to rehabilitation services: evidence from Michigan. American Rehabilitation v22, n1 (Spring, 1996): 10 (8 pages).

The study in sum analyzes Latino attitudes towards self-definition of disability and rehabilitation services and access to these services. The organizers of this initiative used telephone interviews and surveys (124 respondents) to gather their data and conclusion to (1) identify patterns of service utilization by Latinos using the metropolitan areas of Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing as test sites; and (2) identify factors associated with service utilization by Latinos with disabilities.

The project stemmed from the idea that "With the diversity of cultures represented in the United States, healthcare, rehabilitation, and educational specialists are confronted with the task of providing services to families who hold different belief systems regarding perception and causes of disability and, therefore, have different preferences for treatment."

The participants in this study had a wide array of disabilities with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease, identified as the primary disability (46% adults). This was followed by mobility impairments in terms of the number of people in the study with these disabilities. One half of the participants became disabled through disease, while the rest cited birth defects and injuries.

New Report on Latinos and Technology Opportunities and what IBM is Doing to Get Latinos Involved in the IT Business
The Tomás Rivera Policy Institute (TRPI) has issued a new report about Latinos and technology in the US. The report indicates that the potential of technology use among Latinos has not been realized.

The report says that although the Latino population in the US has more than doubled to 35 million, Latinos are still very much underrepresented in the Information Technology industries. Very few Latinos are pursuing degrees in technology and engineering although these fields are among the fastest growing industries in the US. Latinos also lag behind other groups in terms of computer ownership, Internet use, and e-commerce.

It also expresses the concern that because Latino children have among the highest high school dropout rates in the US, many do not have the chance to pursue IT careers because of lack of education. The report recommends that technology be integrated into all curriculums so that all children may have access to it and knowledge of it. The lack of participation in the IT industry is associated with lack of parental understanding about the link between IT and education, as well as lack of education and technology training among Latinos.

Another concern is that the Internet is mostly in English, disallowing many Latinos to fully access all it has to offer. The report also argues that it lacks the cultural perspective of Latinos.

IBM is working to correct these problems. It has announced a grant program to address these issues and plans to work with businesses and foundations to solve these issues.

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