Hispanic Heritage Month takes place from September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of American citizens whose ancestors came from Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America.
While Hispanic Heritage Month is full of fun festivals, educational events, and colorful activities, what does it really celebrate? Here are some facts about the month-long celebration and about Hispanics and Latinos living in the United States.
Origins of Hispanic Heritage Month
It was first observed in 1968 as a week-long celebration under President Lyndon Johnson and later expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15.
But why does it start in the middle of the month?
The 15th of September is significant because for many Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, it celebrates the anniversary of their nation’s independence.
In Mexico, it is celebrated on September 16th and for Chile, it is celebrated on September 18th.
Understanding Hispanic and Latino Terms
What do the terms Hispanic or Latino mean? While some may use both terms interchangeably, they actually have two different meanings. Hispanic refers to people that originate from Spanish-speaking countries, while Latinos are people who descend from Latin-American countries and whose language is not necessarily Spanish. There is also Latinx, which is a gender-neutral term used to replace Latino or Latina when referring to a person of Latin-American descent. It is also a term that embraces all genders and sexualities.
This term Hispanic was first coined in the 1970s after the Census was created. Later, the U.S. government began collecting data about people's ethnicities and the term was added to official documents as a recognized category. Latino/Latina was also added as an ethnic descriptor, as some felt Hispanic was too colonized.
Depending on personal preferences, someone with ties to Hispanic or Latino/a countries may identify with one or both terms. If you are not sure how someone wishes to be identified, the best way to find out is to ask that person.
New Year, New Theme
Every year, a voting process led by the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM) determines the year’s theme. To ensure the inclusion of many voices, voting participants include NCHEPM members, representatives from federal agencies, and the public.
The 2023 winning theme is “Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One,” which was submitted by Jennifer Lasko at the U.S. Treasury.
Her goal was to acknowledge the differences each group brings while encouraging communities to stand as “one community, one people, one vision,” despite differences in their cultures, skin colors, and points of view.
Hispanics and Latinos with Disabilities in the United States
As one of the fastest growing populations in the nation, there are approximately 62 million people living in the U.S. that identify as Hispanic. From that statistic, 1 in 6 have a disability. The most reported disability for Hispanics was mobility disabilities, followed by cognitive disabilities.
And while that may be a lower rate than other racial and ethnic groups, Hispanics and Latinos are more likely to be unemployed or to drop out of school due to a disability. Additionally, they are more likely to experience worse health outcomes.
Barriers such as language and cultural concerns, as well as legal documentation may hinder many Hispanic and Latinos’ ability to seek care. Thus, preventing us from having the full and accurate picture of Hispanic and Latinos living with a disability in the United States.
Resources for Hispanics and Latinos with Disabilities
The following are some helpful resources for Hispanics and Latinos living with disabilities from community groups across the country.
This webpage provides various resources and links to connect with other Deaf Hispanics and Latinos in the U.S.
The Latin American Association (LAA) provides older Hispanic adults living with disabilities, along with their caregivers, ways to connect in a culturally-sensitive way with resources to live as safely and independently as possible.
The National Coalition for Latinxs with Disabilities (CNLD) is a volunteer organization made up of Disabled Latinx leaders and allies from across the nation. They share the experience of living with disabilities and being part of the Latinx community.
Mental Health America (MHA) does work at both the national and local level to increase awareness about mental health and advocate for early intervention. They distribute materials that help to bridge the gap in knowledge and normalize the conversation of mental health in the Hispanic and Latino community.
National Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA)
NLBHA provides national leadership on mental health and substance abuse in the Latino community. They offer mental health and substance abuse services, focused on behavioral health research, Latino family focused interventions and education/workforce tools. They also include a toolkit for mental health needs: Mental Health Toolkit (nlbha.org).
March of Dimes is another great resources used for NLBHA.
LULAC’s Latino’s Living Healthy (LLH) is a program that was designed to help reach the community across the country to discuss health discrepancies via education and knowledge to those who may otherwise not have access.
Conclusion
As the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration continues, my hope is that disability awareness in the Hispanic and Latino group increases and disability advocates in the community continue to encourage and work towards breaking the stigma of disabilities and ultimately work towards normalizing it.
By continuing to provide education and resources within the community, there can be an increase in the number of people who get services and have a better quality of life.