Zavala with a group of Latino advocates with disabilities in Michigan

Jose Zavala addresses a group at a community event

The Michigan Commission for Disability Concerns was established in 1949 to provide statewide leadership to empower and integrate people with disabilities into all aspects of society. As the only state agency with the statutory responsibility to advocate for all people with disabilities in Michigan, the Commission provides education, information and referral services; liaises with the business community and coordinates leadership forums on disability awareness and sensitivity training.

Made up of 21 individuals, the Commission is appointed by the Governor. The Commissioners are a diverse bunch, representing a variety of disability types and hailing from many regions of the state. For example, Jose Zavala, originally from Mexico, has served as a Commissioner for three terms (three-years each).

Jose's advocacy for people with disabilities predates his tenure on the Commission. It started 29 years ago when he became a person with a disability. Like many Latinos, Jose is proud of his heritage and culture. As a Commissioner he works to increase awareness among Latinos about disability. Zavala is one of only a few disabled, Latino public figures in Michigan.

Barriers to Work in Michigan

Zavala commented on the obstacles that Latinos with disabilities face on the road to employment. He began with language, specifically "accents and diction." Zavala said that often, English language learners are prejudged because of an accent or imperfect grammar, "and the interviewer sees the applicant as a person that might have trouble in the future."

Physical accessibility also is a major barrier for people with disabilities. Zavala, a wheelchair user, recalled one occasion when he was on an interview with the Michigan Lottery Commission in Lansing, the State capital. The interviewer's office was not accessible (even though it was located in a State building) so Zavala was interviewed in the lobby. According to Zavala, "The interviewer told me in a matter of fact way that his office was downstairs and that there was no elevator."

During other interviews throughout his time in the workforce Zavala had to respond to questions including, "Will your wheelchair fit through the door?" or "Why didn't you tell us you were in a wheelchair when we spoke on the phone?"

Awareness, or lack thereof, is another obstacle to employment since many Latinos do not have information about the programs/services available to them as people with disabilities.

Culture can act as a disincentive to work because many Latinos are accustomed to keeping people with disabilities at home, out of the workplace, and to some extent, out of participating in society all together, but here in the U.S. it is more open.

Legal issues contribute to reluctance to access services. People who are not documented fear using social services because they believe they will jeopardize their status in the US.

Finally, the lack of information and personnel who are culturally and linguistically competent are hurdles to informing individuals of their entitlements and rights as citizens and residents.

Outreach to Reduce Barriers

Zavala had several ideas on how to educate Latinos with disabilities, especially the youth, to minimize these barriers. He suggested visiting neighborhood churches to identify and locate ("find") young Latinos with disabilities. Zavala works hard to engage young Latinos in dialog about their rights and the programs and services that are available to them. He admits it is a challenge, but Zavala hopes that by increasing visits and presentations about people with disabilities, individuals and their families will begin to participate in the disability service system more and more. Zavala also believes publicity, in Spanish-language newspapers and other media outlets, is a valuable way to provide information in the Latino community.

Zavala believes young people should prepare themselves for employment as early as possible to reduce barriers to work. He suggested education, including post-secondary, vocational school, or on-the-job training including internships to help become competitive as youngsters look to enter the workforce. He believes that being active in the community helps build relationships and networks that sometimes lead to job offers. In particular, Zavala suggests Michigan teens get involved with leadership activities including the annual Youth Leadership Forum organized by the Commission.

The Youth Leadership Forum is one way the Commission provides leadership training to high school juniors and seniors with disabilities. At the Forum, approximately 30 young people have the opportunity to cultivate leadership, citizenship and social skills. Selected for demonstrating leadership potential, students do not have to pay to participate. The five-day event takes place each year at Michigan State University. Zavala has participated as a leadership mentor for a number of years.

Zavala believes that if we are to serve all people with disabilities we must take a holistic approach and outreach, encourage, and respond to the needs of the individual, the family, and the community.