Why focus on Latinx Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing and Late-Deafened (DDBDDHHLD) communities in the state of California?

 

Latinxs are now the largest ethnic group in California. California has six times as many Latinxs today than in 1970. The large majority of Latinxs in California are here legally and are working, federal statistics show [Reese & Maganini]. Latinx Californians support scores of Spanish-language newspapers, radio, and TV stations.

 

California Manos del Corazón values and promotes both language access and communication access for all DDBDDHHLD individuals. California Manos del Corazón strives to ensure all Latinx families and their DDBDDHHLD children have equal and full participation in every activity in their lives. Without equal language access or communication access, Latinx families (parents/guardians/extended family members) and their DDBDDHHLD children are systematically denied their right to be involved in their various educational, political, and social activities.

 

California Manos del Corazón’s mission is TOGETHER we Connect, Empower, Decolonize—all in SOLIDARITY. As a state organization, we Connect with Latinx families and their DDBDDHHLD children as language and cultural models. We support and encourage the inclusion of ASL/Spanish/English trilingual interpreting services, Spanish/English translation and Lengua de Señas Mexicana (LSM)/ASL translation so they may Empower themselves as individuals learning to navigate in a hearing/spoken English society with the necessary language knowledge and skills. We Decolonize together with education and information on how educational institutions and society often operate in a contradictory approach and pedagogy. Together we learn how to advocate and promote Latinx DDBDDHHLD children’s rights to equal education, language access, communication access, and culture access. We stand in SOLIDARITY by uniting and working together.

 

Spanish language, Latin American sign languages, culture, and traditions are just as valuable as ASL and Protactile ASL, Deaf and DeafBlind cultural traditions here in the United States. Communication access equates with a show of respect as well as honoring the individual and collective importance. Communication access applies to all forms of communication including social media.

 

California Manos del Corazón’s communication strategy, or plan, is an essential tool for developing strong and lasting relationships—with the communities it serves, with other organizations, agencies, educational institutions, corporations—particularly when the plan is integrated into the organization’s short- and long-term programs and resources.