The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) announces the launch of three Spanish-language webinars in celebration of SCI Awareness Month and Hispanic Heritage Month, according to a news release.

“Developing a webinar series for our Spanish-speaking audience was an important step in creating an educational opportunity and cultivating representation in the Spanish-speaking paralysis community. We wanted to ensure a safe space for people living with paralysis, their loved ones, and caregivers to learn more about the PRC programs and services; while working with organizations that could provide critical information during these times.”

— Freddy Perez, the Associate for Community Outreach

The webinar series, which will be conducted exclusively in Spanish, will cover important topics such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and its impact on Hispanic communities, the importance of the independent living movement and its critical services during a pandemic, as well as ways to advocate for a variety of issues that are important to the Hispanic community.

September 15, 3:00 PM ET

On September 15, 2020, Yessica M. Guardiola-Marrero of the Northeast ADA Center will speak about the 30th Anniversary of the ADA, along with its impact on the lives of Hispanics living with physical disabilities.

The Northeast ADA Center (NEADAC) is one of the 10 ADA Regional Centers that make up the ADA National Network, funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. The goal of the NEADAC is to provide information guidance and training on the implementation of all aspects of the ADA across communities, businesses, and individual lives.

September 22, 3:00 PM ET

A week later, on September 22, 2020, Betzaida Ramos, Executive Director of Movimiento para el Alcance de Vida Independiente (MAVI), a former Quality of Life Grant Recipient, will talk about the importance of Independent Living Centers, its services, and the critical role they play during moments of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. MAVI is an independent living center with more than 32 years’ experience providing services to people with diverse disabilities in Puerto Rico.

September 29, 3:00 PM ET

The webinar series wraps up on September 29, 2020, with Dr Lisette Torres and Catalina Galvan from the National Coalition for Latinx with Disabilities (NCLD), who will be discussing key issues affecting the Hispanic community and how-to self-advocate. NCLD is a 100% volunteer, national organization dedicated to affirming, celebrating, and collectively uplifting Latinxs with disabilities through community building, advocacy, protection of rights, resources, and education.

For more information and to register, visit the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation events page.

Spanish Resources

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center houses many resources that are available in Spanish. These include a Paralysis Resource Guide, wallet cards, and blogs. The Information Specialist team includes a Spanish-speaker who is available to respond to questions related to paralysis, including spinal cord injury, transverse myelitis, stroke, multiple sclerosis and other conditions. For more information, visit the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation’s Spanish webpage.

[Source(s): Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, PR Newswire]