By Alma Dominguez (she/her), VCU Social Work Intern
Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15) is still going strong, and here at the disAbility Law Center of Virginia, we believe this is a powerful time to uplift the voices and experiences of Hispanic and Latino individuals with disabilities. This month is about honoring culture, family, language, and history, but it is also an opportunity to recognize the unique challenges and strengths that come with living at the intersection of disability and Hispanic identity. These intersecting identities often involve barriers to access and inclusion, but they also hold deep sources of resilience, advocacy, and community power.
For Hispanic and Latino individuals with disabilities, navigating the world can involve a combination of cultural, linguistic, and systemic hurdles. One of the most common is language access. Many legal documents, public services, or healthcare systems provide materials only in English or offer limited and inaccurate translations. This creates confusion, frustration, and misinformation, often preventing people from understanding their rights or accessing services they are legally entitled to. In some cases, people may not even know these rights exist. Without accessible, trustworthy information in Spanish, many individuals are left out of systems that are supposed to support them.
Cultural stigma and norms around disability also affect how people experience and respond to disability within their families and communities. In some Hispanic cultures, disability may be viewed as a taboo subject, or families may feel pressure to “handle things privately.” This can delay early diagnosis, support services, or advocacy, especially when families do not know how or where to seek help. At the same time, Hispanic communities often have incredibly strong family support networks, deep traditions of caregiving, and a powerful ethic of looking out for one another, all of which can be key sources of strength and solidarity when navigating disability related challenges.
Economic barriers can further complicate access to care and support. Hispanic communities in Virginia and across the country are disproportionately represented among low-income households, which can impact access to transportation, assistive technology, legal representation, and high-quality healthcare. Meanwhile, many service providers including schools, hospitals, and state agencies, may not offer materials or services that are culturally or linguistically appropriate. When systems do not reflect the lived realities of diverse communities, people can be left behind.
But there is good news: Federal and state laws are in place to protect people with disabilities, and there are growing efforts to make sure Hispanic communities know and can exercise their rights. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act, and other disability rights laws guarantee protections against discrimination in education, employment, healthcare, housing, transportation, and public accommodations. But these rights are only meaningful if people are aware of them and have access to tools that can make those rights a reality.
That’s where community-centered education and outreach come in. The ADA National Network’s Spanish Language Outreach Project (SLO) is a national initiative focused on breaking down language and cultural barriers for Spanish-speaking individuals with disabilities. This project offers clear, accurate, and accessible information about the ADA in Spanish including: videos, publications, and culturally relevant materials. You can learn more at https://adata.org/project/slo.
Here in Virginia, the Bienvenidos Todos (Everyone is welcome) project, led by the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia and supported by the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, provides targeted outreach to Latino Virginians with disabilities and their families. Through Spanish-language fact sheets, webinars, and community events, this project helps ensure that critical information reaches the people who need it most. Learn more at https://www.ecnv.org/bienvenidosproject.
The disAbility Law Center of Virginia provides a Spanish-language healthcare guide designed specifically for people with disabilities navigating the healthcare system. Whether you are applying for Medicaid, looking for low-cost clinics, or trying to understand your insurance options, this guide offers practical, plain-language information tailored to Virginia residents. You can find this publication and other Spanish-language guides for people with disabilities at https://www.dlcv.org/publications/en-espanol.
While we have made progress, there is still much work to do. We need to expand language access across all sectors, not just through translation, but by ensuring trained interpreters are available, and that materials are culturally appropriate and easy to understand. Outreach should happen through trusted community organizations, churches, and Spanish-language media. Schools, hospitals, and agencies need to be trained on how to better serve diverse communities. And most importantly, people with disabilities from Hispanic backgrounds must be included in conversations about policy and advocacy, not just as recipients of services, but as leaders and decision makers.
We also believe in the power of stories. Whether it is a parent successfully advocating for their child’s IEP with the help of a bilingual advocate, a community member demanding accessible sidewalks and getting results, or a small business owner with a disability using the ADA to make their workplace more inclusive. These stories show that change is possible. Legal and civil rights matter, and when people are supported and informed, they can build stronger, more inclusive communities for everyone.
As Hispanic Heritage Month continues, we invite you to reflect, share, and take action. Talk with your family, your neighbors, and your community about disability rights. Share this blog and the resources within. Encourage your local schools, hospitals, and service providers to make their information accessible in Spanish. Hispanic Heritage Month is more than a celebration; it is an opportunity to commit to equity, dignity, and inclusion. Let’s honor the rich diversity of Hispanic and Latino communities, and ensure that every person with a disability in Virginia, regardless of the language they speak, is seen, heard, and supported.
Image Description: Alma is a young, Hispanic woman with straight black hair and dark brown eyes. She is wearing a yellow shirt and round glasses.
Alma Dominguez (she/her) is a Master of Social Work graduate student at Virginia Commonwealth University, with a concentration on Administration, Planning, Policy, and Advocacy with Nonprofit Organization Management at the Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. She chose dLCV for her internship because of its unwavering commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of individuals with disabilities through advocacy rooted in justice, empowerment, and inclusion. As a bilingual MSW student with a background in mental health counseling, research, and policy advocacy, she is excited to support dLCV’s mission and explore how systemic change can begin with strong human relationships, especially in underserved and rural communities across Virginia. Outside of dLCV, she enjoys being in nature, sipping on matcha, or cooking it up in the kitchen.
dLCV Blog Content Statement: dLCV is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides information and referral, legal representation, technical assistance, short-term assistance, systemic advocacy, monitoring and training to Virginians with disabilities. Our services are provided free of charge. We are independent from state and local government.
The statements given by staff or volunteers for our blog content are NOT intended to be taken as legal advice. Instead, our blog content aims to focus on the lived experiences of people with disabilities and shine a light on the diverse perspectives within Virginia’s vibrant disability community.