Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 2025 Showcasing Hispanic Disabled Creators
By Alexa Gamas
In the United States, we remember and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15! Hispanic Heritage month allows us to celebrate the rich Hispanic culture and traditions. Despite the challenges Hispanics have faced and continue to face, the culture and community remain strong and resilient. This article strives to recognize Hispanic and Disabled creators that use their voice to spread awareness and uplift their audience and community. Many Hispanic individuals have contributed powerful and influential works, and this month aims to celebrate and recognize some of those individuals.
During Hispanic Heritage month, our focus should remain on supporting, empowering, and strengthening the Hispanic and Disabled community!
The Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities:
DISCAPAZ: Disability Experiences in the Borderlands centers the voices and narratives of people with disabilities living along the US-Mexico border through multimedia storytelling. Individuals share their stories of lived experience with disability, highlighting the unique strengths and resilience of individuals, families, and communities. Our aim is to amplify disabled voices in the borderlands. Their stories allow us to better understand community challenges, needs and strengths.
Featherless by Juan Felipe Herrera
A children's picture book that emphasizes the journey of a young boy in a wheelchair who finds a pet bird that can't fly. The story encompasses attributes of self-empowerment, love and friendship.
Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor
In this picture book, the author centers the story around children who live with a variety of challenges. Sonia Sotomayor aims to emphasize the importance of embracing and welcoming everyone regardless of if someone is different from us.
Embrace YOU Project by Tamara Mena
Tamara Mena is a bilingual motivational speaker, actress, host, model, survivor, and optimist. Originally from León, Mexico, she immigrated to the U.S. at 13. At 19, she survived a car accident that left her paralyzed from the mid-chest down; tragically, her boyfriend and the taxi driver did not survive. Instead of letting the tragedy define her, she dedicated her life to sharing a message of hope, empowerment, and resilience.
Brave Together Podcast founded by Jessica Patay
A podcast created by a group of mothers who have children with disabilities. One of their episodes highlights the intersection of Latinx culture with disability and they aim to spread awareness and allow other people to come onto the podcast to share their story.
Disability, Intersectional Agency, and Latinx Identity by Alexis Padilla
A blind Latinx scholar and activist analyzes the connections between race, ethnicity and disability. Alexis Padilla analyzes this relationship through an academic approach to help spread knowledge and awareness.
(M)othering Labeled Children: Bilingualism and Disability in the Lives of Latinx Mothers by Maria Cioè-Peña
This academic centric book focuses on the experiences of Latinx mothers who are raising bilingual and disabled children. It emphasizes the importance of education and school and how they affect different aspects of a child’s life.
Arianne Garcia: Personal Website and Blog
The website and blog of Arianne Garcia that highlights her experience being a Latinx woman who was diagnosed with Autism. Her blog features her story, published works, resources and more!
Thriving in Diversity: Latinas and Latinos with Disabilities by The National Museum of the American Latino
A digital exhibition by the National Museum of the American Latino that promotes the inclusion of diverse voices and experiences.
The Latinx Mental Health Podcast by Ana Vidina Hernandez & Alejandra Spector
A podcast that aims to educate and connect with their audience about the Latinx and Disabled community. The hosts tell stories, while also inviting guests to share stories and have meaningful conversations.
Podcast Episode: Undocumented and LGBTQ Disabilities by Keyley Whalen
A podcast episode that highlights the challenges faces by LGBTQ Latinx individuals with disabilities and how it is an ongoing struggle.