Hispanic Heritage: Luminaries with Disabilities

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 12:37:40 -0400
disability, frida, heritage, hispanic, kahlo, latine, latinx, month

National Hispanic Heritage Month has begun - celebrating those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. September 15, 16 and 18 celebrate independence for at least six of these countries - which is valued and celebrated especially by community members and luminaries with disabilities. Respect Ability shares their robust list of luminaries here - and while it does mention the artist Frida Kahlo, who contracted polio at age 6 and survived a horrific bus accident at 18, (painting began during her recovery) - other luminaries include:

Mexican writer and activist Gabriela Brimmer whose life is chronicled in the 1987 film, Gaby: A True Story

Maria Soledad Cisternas - Chilean lawyer and disability activist who was involved with drafting the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and chaired that UN Committee, and served as Special Envoy.

Tony Coelho Congressman from California and primary author and sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and celebrated its 32nd Anniversary this past summer.

Eva Middleton of Belize brought disability awareness and justice to her home country of Belize.

Vik Pineda brings activism and advocacy and awareness from his work on the west coast.

Annie Segerra (also known as Annie Elainey) cites Frida Kahlo as a huge influence and has her YouTube channel here

Lizzie Velasquez 's Dare to Be Kind anti-bullying campaign was informed by her lived experience with her peers and online.

ADS closes this invitation to celebrate Hispanic/Latine heritage with Elizabeth Acevedo's powerful poetry, calling forth beauty within the reach of her words.

For campus resources and to request accommodations please reach out to Student Disability Services (for undergraduate and graduate students) or Accessibility & Disability Services.

Photo of Artistic Human archway gate from Tulun Mexico accompanies this post. Credit: Helen Ngoc N. via unsplash.com