I am an IDA program administrator. Despite the fact that our IDA program is located in a predominately Latino neighborhood, we do not serve that many Latinos. Is there something we can do to better reach this population?

Having staff members that are bilingual and bicultural is incredibly important to the Latinos community. According to Daniel Gutierrez, who operates the Proyecto Visión toll-free assistance service to help Latinos with disabilities find employment, Latino culture centers around these main areas. In order to best serve Latino clients, he advises the following:

• Speak Spanish. Spanish is more than just a language, it is also a cultural marker. Having at least one member of your staff that speaks Spanish is incredibly important. If you have the resources, providing classes and financial literacy materials in Spanish is also advisable. Even Latinos that speak English, sometimes prefer to take classes and have materials in Spanish. See the EQUITY Resource Page for specific information on financial literacy materials that are available in Spanish.
• Communicate Informally. Develop a working relationship with your client through relating your own personal experiences. The ability to speak of your own life situation opens the door for your client to share important details. This, in turn encourages a better relationship that ultimately increases your overall success rate and the likelihood of participants completing the program.
• Being Culturally Aware. Encourage staff members to become more involved in the communities they serve. If your program becomes more involved in the neighborhood, this will demonstrate to the community that you really want to make an investment in their futures and the community in which they live. Volunteer at community events or attend cultural functions.
• Use Your Experience to Your Advantage. Chances are that the combined experience of you and your staff in the poverty reduction field is underestimated. Many people that choose this field of work do so because they grew up in poverty. Being aware and understanding the challenges of living in poverty are keys to any successful program, no matter what the race or ethnicity of the participants. Also being aware of your own biases, whether racially or poverty motivated, can allow you to know when your language or attitudes can be offensive. The people that seek your assistance are trying to escape the cycle and it is your job to assist them in the best way that you can.
• Disability Attitudes. Understand that the Latino community may have reservations when discussing their own disability or that of a family member. Traditionally, disability within the Latino community has been viewed as shameful, a sign of weakness, or as a punishment for some past behavior or act. While it is important to show sensitivity to those beliefs, relating stories of successful people actively living with a disability can offer an alternative way of viewing a disability that offers more opportunities and hope.

Proyecto Visión is a bilingual project to connect disabled Latinos to employment. For more information, see www.proyectovision.net or call toll-free 1-866-367-5361.