Thriving in Diversity: Latinas and Latinos with Disabilities

The National Museum of the American Latino promotes the inclusion of diverse voices and experiences. Learn about the community of Latinas and Latinos with disabilities in the U.S!​

Disabiltiy Pride Flag Digital Illustration (2023) by Adriana Morales-DíazSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino

What is Disability?


The disability community is made up of people with varying levels of physical and cognitive abilities. The voices of Latinas and Latinos with disabilities give us a perspective of how Latinidad and ability intersect. ​

How does the disability community represent themselves? 

Nefertiti Matos Digital Portrait (2023) by Adriana Morales-DíazSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino

Nefertiti Matos: ​Blind Cultural Accessibility Consultant​

“I want you to understand that difference is a beautiful thing."​Nefertiti says, “Diversity is the thing that allows us to thrive. It is the thing that has allowed us to be human for so long, and indeed be as innovative as we’ve been”. Nefertiti promotes expanding access to all.

Digital illustration of "Attitudes are the Real Disabilty" T-Shirt (2023) by Adriana Morales-DíazSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino

"Disability" is a broad spectrum

"Disability" represents a spectrum of experiences and abilities. Its definition has changed over time. There have been multiple ways to describe people with varying abilities. In earlier times, terms like "cripple," "feeble minded," or "handicapped" were used derogatorily.

Digital Illustration of "Cripple Power" pin (2023) by Adriana Morales-DíazSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino

Transforming Terms

The Disability Community continually re-envisions negative terms, using them in an empowering way. When the community fought to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, protesters created signs, shirts, and pins that used these terms to fight for civil rights.

Diversidad Funcional (2023) by Adriana Morales-DíazSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino

How we talk about disability is evolving

Stop tolerating insulting terms like "Cripple" or "Handicap" instead use “Disabled” - in Spanish “Discapacitado” - to describe disability. Recently a Spanish term has emerged: “Diversidad funcional – in English "Functional Diversity" - that centers the community's diversity.

Digital Portraits of Disabled Individuals (2023) by Adriana Morales-DíazSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino

1 in 4 Americans has a Disability

The disability community is the largest minority group in the world. In the U.S. 1 in 6 Latinos live with a disability. This community is made up of individuals who come from diverse countries of origin, racial backgrounds, and, have a range of different abilities.

Wheelchair and Hearing Aids Digital Illustration (2023) by Adriana Morales-DíazSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino

Sharing experiences

The Disability Community disproportionately faces discrimination in their daily lives. Despite this, many choose to share their experiences and achievements to combat the stigmas they endure. Some individuals dedicate their careers to advocating for Latinos with disabilities.

Danielle Perez Digital Portrait (2023) by Adriana Morales-DíazSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino

"I couldn’t be worried about what people thought about me"

Danielle Pérez is a disabled, plus-sized actress and comedian of Dominican descent who uses humor to narrate her struggles and life experiences. She supports diversity in comedy, bringing underrepresented and funny voices to the stage.

Megaphone Digital Illustration (2023) by Adriana Morales-DíazSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino

Art-ivism: a conversation starter

Activism has always been important in the disability community. Activism comes in many forms: from advocacy for civil rights with the 1990 ADA Act, to activism expressed through the arts (art-ivism), like fashion, music, visual arts, and more.

Jillian Mercado Digital Portrait (2023) by Adriana Morales-DíazSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino

"Opportunities weren’t being given to my community.”

Jillian Mercado is an actress, model, and advocate of Dominican descent with Muscular Dystrophy. She speaks about exclusion in the film and fashion industries and has developed a platform highlighting Black and Disabled Creatives to promote inclusivity in diverse workspaces. ​

Cola Boyy Digital Portrait (2023) by Adriana Morales-DíazSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino

“I want my music to encourage people to fight for change”

Matthew Urango (Cola Boyy) is a musician of Chumash, Black and Mexican ancestry. He lives with Spina Bifida, Kyphosis, Scoliosis, and club foot. His music mixes disco, rock, funk, pop and Latino grooves, calling to reform systems that harm disabled and working-class folks.

"Nothing About Us Without Us" Sign (2023) by Adriana Morales-DíazSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino

Education and Advocacy

Those experiencing disability are their own best advocates. In disability activism, the slogan “nothing about us without us” speaks to the need to have disabled persons in leadership positions to further education, advocacy, diversity and inclusion to all.

"Deaf Pride " Pin digital illustration (2023) by Adriana Morales-DíazSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino

"We have language, we have culture together"

Estefani, Oscar, Everlyn and Jabez, also known as That Deaf Family, are a hearing-impaired family of Mexican descent from Kern County, California. They use social media to promote education surrounding parents who communicate with their children by American Sign Language (ASL).

Digital Portraits of Disabled Individuals (2023) by Adriana Morales-DíazSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino

Be an Ally!

Recognize that we all need to respect every individual's experiences and abilities. Learn about the diversity of disability types and promote accessibility and inclusion.  We should yield the floor to people with disabilities so we can help identify and eliminate barriers.

Digital Illustration of the Latino Gallery Entrance (2023) by Adriana Morales-DíazSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino

Visit "¡Presente!" at the Latino Gallery

See how the National Museum of the American Latino supports and integrates inclusivity in its exhibition, “¡Presente!: A Latino History of the United States” at the Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History! Visit our website to learn about gallery accessibility.

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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