July is Disability Pride Month, a time to honor and celebrate the disabled community and the historic signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. This significant legislation marked a crucial step towards providing civil rights protections for people with disabilities, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Despite more than 30 years passing since the ADA was enacted, individuals like advocate Catarina Rivera believe there is still important work to be done in terms of accommodating people with disabilities and changing societal perceptions.
Rivera emphasizes the importance of using the term “pride” rather than simply “awareness” when discussing disability. To her, disability pride means embracing and celebrating all aspects of oneself, defiantly and powerfully. In a society that often devalues and underestimates individuals with disabilities, the concept of disability pride challenges these limited beliefs.
As a disability advocate and educator, Rivera launched her Instagram account, Blindish Latina, in 2020 to share her personal journey with blindness and deafness, promote disability acceptance, and inspire others to live proudly as disabled individuals. Through her platform, she breaks stereotypes surrounding disabilities, educates on topics like alt text and image descriptions, and encourages travel and adventure for individuals with disabilities.
Since 2021, Rivera has seen her audience grow to over 30,000 followers on Instagram. She now offers public speaking services on disability awareness, inclusion, and combating ableism in the workplace for conferences and businesses. Rivera is also involved in various initiatives such as accessibility consulting, partnering with tourism agencies to promote accessible travel, and providing a free eBook on inclusive practices.
Rivera’s journey as a disability advocate began with her Usher syndrome diagnosis at 17, which led her on a path of acceptance, self-advocacy, and eventually public advocacy. Despite initially struggling to come to terms with her progressive vision loss, Rivera found empowerment through using a cane and embracing her identity as a blind person. This newfound confidence propelled her to use her voice to create change and foster inclusion in workplaces and society at large.
In her role as an inclusion educator and consultant, Rivera emphasizes the importance of standardizing accommodations for individuals with disabilities, normalizing inclusive practices, and raising awareness about common microaggressions. She also highlights the need for language that respects and empowers individuals with disabilities and challenges outdated societal norms.
While traveling full-time, Rivera continues to document her experiences on social media, showcasing the accessibility of various destinations and demonstrating that adventure and exploration are attainable for everyone. Her advocacy extends to her travel experiences, where she emphasizes the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in everyday activities.
Overall, Rivera’s story serves as a testament to resilience, empowerment, and the ongoing journey towards creating a more inclusive and accepting world for individuals with disabilities.
