Today marks the first day of “National Hispanic Heritage Month,” celebrated each year from September 15th through October 15th.

This is an important month—a time to think of the contributions and history of people who identify as Hispanic in America.

UCP Oregon thinks it’s also important to talk about the intersection of race and disability this month. More than 5.4 million Americans who identity as Hispanic also experience a disability.

The intersection of multiple identities is complicated.
​
As Roque Gregorio Renteria (an LA-based screenwriter and comedian who uses a wheelchair) says, “There’s often a trade off when multiple identities are present. People want to focus on my Hispanic identity or my identity as a person with a disability and not examine both.”​

However, some Hispanic celebrities who experience disabilities have begun to share their experiences and voices. Notable examples include Michelle Rodriguez and Salma Hayek; and singers Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez.

​Join UCP Oregon in celebrating “Direct Support Professionals” Recognition Week! We’re celebrating all week long (September 11-17, 2022).
 
Currently, UCP employs 93 Direct Support Professionals—also known as DSP’s.
 
UCP’s Direct Support Professionals work one-on-one with our customers. They assist customers wherever needed—at home, on the job, and out in the community—ensuring that our customers have independent and fulfilling lives.
 
So, the next time you see a Direct Support Professional, make sure to tell them how awesome they are!

We’d like to share a new resource with you, created in partnership by the UCP national organization (United Cerebral Palsy) and the ADAPT Community Network.

It’s called “Start Here” and it’s a digital platform for the parents of children who experience disabilities.

Start Here will provide information on the basics on various intellectual and developmental disabilities (such as cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, and spina bifida) and other topics, such as how to be an effective advocate for your child.

Join UCP Oregon on June 19th as we celebrate Juneteenth (also known as Freedom Day).
 
The holiday was named in honor of June 19th, 1865--the day that enslaved persons were finally freed in Texas (months after the Civil War has ended).

Last year, the day became a federal holiday. Woo hoo!
 
Juneteenth events are being held across the country.

If you live in Portland, you might want to attend the 2022 Juneteenth Oregon Parade and Festival. This free, community-empowered event features a parade, food, vendors, a kids’ area, local music (jazz, hip hop and soul), empowering speeches from community leaders and more.
 
For more information, visit the Juneteenth Oregon Celebration website.

 
Did you know that May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month?

​According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 10 Asian American adults have a disability. This can lead to some complicated experiences.

As activist Megan Liang writes, “As an Asian American woman with a visible disability, I have always felt as if all parts of my identity were for the world to see and judge… I felt like I couldn’t ask for help in fear that I would be seen as even smaller and weaker.” 

​That’s why Megan and others like her are hoping to shine a light on the intersection of disability and Asian identity.
 
Learn More:

• https://assembly.malala.org/stories/fighting-for-visibility-for-asian-americans-with-disabilities 
• https://www.respectability.org/2021/05/aapi-month-2021/
• https://asamnews.com/2021/04/20/many-disabled-asian-americans-feel-alienated-in-both-the-asam-and-disabled-communities/

Hey, this is cool.
 
This year’s national UCP conference is virtual, free and open to the public!
 
Attendees will learn about:

• recent research and innovative treatments for cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental disorders,
• accessibility and innovation in the transportation industry,
• workforce challenges for direct support professionals,
• and the most recent federal public policy affecting people with disabilities.

 
The conference will be held May 3–4, noon to 3:30 pm EST.
 
Register today!

Hello! It’s April, and you know what that means… Autism Awareness Month. Or does it?
 
Last year, the largest grassroots autism organization in America (The Autism Society of America) decided to rename their celebration as Autism Acceptance Month (AAM). Other groups have been using the new name for longer, but, in any case, the new name is really taking off!
 
As Christopher Banks (the president and CEO of The Autism Society of America), says, "Awareness is knowing that somebody has autism. Acceptance is when you include (a person with autism) in your activities." [emphasis ours]
 
World Autism Awareness Day (April 2nd) has not been renamed, but its focus has changed.
 
Originally, its focus was on “autistic children and finding a cure," as Ludmila Praslova, a professor and director of graduate programs who also experiences autism, explained. She says that many folks now focus on "acceptance and inclusion rather than a cure…” and celebrating “diversity and completeness."

​Sounds good to us!

Today is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day 2022!
 
What are you doing to celebrate?
 
This week, a group of parent and adult advocates, clinicians and researchers celebrated CP Awareness Day by travelling to Washington DC, to give a briefing to Congress about CP!
 
The trip was organized by the Cerebral Palsy Foundation (which is not part of UCP), and was supported by Senator Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire) and Congressman Steve Cohen (Tennessee).
 
Way to go, advocates!

And, speaking of advocates, did you know that National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day in the United States was created by two moms? They felt it was vital to increase awareness of cerebral palsy, and to improve quality of care and research across the lifespan.