#1: Mental Health in Time of Isolation (March 26th, 2020)
This is an unprecedented time we are currently living in. In an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, many of us are facing isolation in our homes as self-quarantines are becoming the new norm. We understand these are troubling times as we are located in different parts of the United States and some of you have shelter-in-place laws that are currently restricting social gatherings. However, this is also an opportunity for us to come together in solidarity and ask ourselves some important questions - What do these difficulties mean for us as a disabled Latinx community? What are our challenges and how are we coping? How do fear, social distancing, and stress impact our mental, physical, and spiritual health?
This was an interactive conversations about how you may be impacted by the current pandemic and how we can continue to build community amongst ourselves using technology, such as as online platforms!
The amazing Dior Vargas was our first guest speaker! Dior Vargas, MS, MPH is a Latina feminist mental health activist and the creator of the People of Color and Mental Illness Photo Project, a response to the invisibility of people of color in the media representation of mental illness. She is also the editor of The Color of My Mind, a photo essay book based on the photo project. Dior tours the country delivering keynotes, hosting workshops, and speaking on panels. Her work and insight have been covered in media outlets such as The New York Times, Forbes, Newsweek, and NBC News Latino. Dior is the recipient of numerous awards, including the White House Champion of Change for Disability Advocacy Across Generations under the Obama Administration, 2015 Alternatives Conference Cookie Grant and Bill Compton LGBTQI Leadership Award, and a Susan M. Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame Inductee. Dior has a BA in the Study of Women and Gender from Smith College, a MS in Publishing from Pace University, and an MPH from New York University. She is a native New Yorker and currently lives in New York City.
This was an interactive conversations about how you may be impacted by the current pandemic and how we can continue to build community amongst ourselves using technology, such as as online platforms!
The amazing Dior Vargas was our first guest speaker! Dior Vargas, MS, MPH is a Latina feminist mental health activist and the creator of the People of Color and Mental Illness Photo Project, a response to the invisibility of people of color in the media representation of mental illness. She is also the editor of The Color of My Mind, a photo essay book based on the photo project. Dior tours the country delivering keynotes, hosting workshops, and speaking on panels. Her work and insight have been covered in media outlets such as The New York Times, Forbes, Newsweek, and NBC News Latino. Dior is the recipient of numerous awards, including the White House Champion of Change for Disability Advocacy Across Generations under the Obama Administration, 2015 Alternatives Conference Cookie Grant and Bill Compton LGBTQI Leadership Award, and a Susan M. Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame Inductee. Dior has a BA in the Study of Women and Gender from Smith College, a MS in Publishing from Pace University, and an MPH from New York University. She is a native New Yorker and currently lives in New York City.
#2: Time of Uncertainty for Immigrants & Undocumented Disabled Latinxs (April 2nd, 2020)
A conversation with Michelle Garcia on how the immigrant and undocumented disabled community are being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Stay at Home orders and our views on immigration activities from some of our members and you! As many of us enter the second week of self-isolation, 27 states currently have ‘Stay at Home’ or ‘Shelter at Home’ orders. Many essential and non-essential businesses have allowed some workers to work from home. While other businesses who are deemed non-essential are having to close their doors. Many of the essential workers are our immigrant families. But what are undocumented disabled immigrants experiencing? How do these uncertain times create more turmoil in this community? How are Stay at Home orders impacting those in the immigrant and undocumented disabled communities. While many people are annoyed by staying at home, what does staying at home mean to this community? We also want to have a conversation with you on what is happening in your community.
Speaker:
Michelle Garcia has been working for Access Living as the Latino Community Organizer since 2009 in which she took a personal interest, particularly that of educating and collaborating with the Latino community about disability rights and services. Through her work, she has had the opportunity to collaborate with other Latino groups and organizations that work within the Latino Community with expanding their knowledge about disability related issues. She is the coordinator of a Latinxs and immigrant advocacy group called Cambiando Vidas, whose mission is to create social change within the Immigrant Community. In her role as the Latinxs and Immigration Community Organizer, she is responsible for increasing the number of Latinxs and immigrant leaders with disabilities; as well as to raise awareness of disability issues such as: Immigration, Healthcare, Disability Rights, within the Latinxs and other immigrant communities.
Speaker:
Michelle Garcia has been working for Access Living as the Latino Community Organizer since 2009 in which she took a personal interest, particularly that of educating and collaborating with the Latino community about disability rights and services. Through her work, she has had the opportunity to collaborate with other Latino groups and organizations that work within the Latino Community with expanding their knowledge about disability related issues. She is the coordinator of a Latinxs and immigrant advocacy group called Cambiando Vidas, whose mission is to create social change within the Immigrant Community. In her role as the Latinxs and Immigration Community Organizer, she is responsible for increasing the number of Latinxs and immigrant leaders with disabilities; as well as to raise awareness of disability issues such as: Immigration, Healthcare, Disability Rights, within the Latinxs and other immigrant communities.
#3 Disabled Puerto Ricans (April 9th, 2020)
A conversation with one of our CNLD co-founders Yessica M. Guardiola Marrero, Esq., and ally, Dr. Adi Martínez-Roman, J.S.D, on how the Puerto Rican disability community is being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and national policies on the island and mainland. We also want to hear your thoughts and recommendations!
Our guests are:
Yessica M. Guardiola Marrero, Esq., is a co-founder of the National Coalition of Latinxs with disabilities (CNLD). Yessica completed a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Puerto Rico and a Juris Doctor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. She is a licensed lawyer and public notary in Puerto Rico and has been working for 10 years as a Technical Assistance Specialist for the Northeast ADA Center through the Movement for Independent Living (MAVI by its Spanish acronym), offering free orientation and training on the ADA and the rights of people with disabilities in Spanish. Yessica is also legally blind due to a congenital condition called Aniridia, and her aim is to contribute to the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of society, promoting respect and love for diversity. As an advocate, she volunteers with various organizations that serve people with disabilities, such as the Puerto Rico State Rehabilitation Council, the Puerto Rico State Developmental Disabilities Council, and CNLD, among others, to increase the meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities.
Dr. Adi Martínez-Roman, J.S.D., is the Senior Policy Analyst – Puerto Rico for Oxfam América since June 2019. Before coming to Oxfam, she was the executive director of the Fundación Fondo de Acceso a la Justicia in Puerto Rico for two years, and the Auxiliary Dean of Students of the University of Puerto Rico Law School for seven years, where she also taught several courses on the Legal Profession, Law and Poverty, and Law and Social Change. Adi is currently the chair of the board and founder of Firmes, Unidos y Resilientes con la Abogacía, Inc., a non-profit that accompanies low-income community leaders in Puerto Rico on their advocacy endeavors. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public Policy and International Affairs, a law degree from the University of Puerto Rico, and received both her Masters of Law and Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the Instituto Bartolomé de las Casas of the Universidad Carlos III of Madrid (Spain).
Our guests are:
Yessica M. Guardiola Marrero, Esq., is a co-founder of the National Coalition of Latinxs with disabilities (CNLD). Yessica completed a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Puerto Rico and a Juris Doctor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. She is a licensed lawyer and public notary in Puerto Rico and has been working for 10 years as a Technical Assistance Specialist for the Northeast ADA Center through the Movement for Independent Living (MAVI by its Spanish acronym), offering free orientation and training on the ADA and the rights of people with disabilities in Spanish. Yessica is also legally blind due to a congenital condition called Aniridia, and her aim is to contribute to the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of society, promoting respect and love for diversity. As an advocate, she volunteers with various organizations that serve people with disabilities, such as the Puerto Rico State Rehabilitation Council, the Puerto Rico State Developmental Disabilities Council, and CNLD, among others, to increase the meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities.
Dr. Adi Martínez-Roman, J.S.D., is the Senior Policy Analyst – Puerto Rico for Oxfam América since June 2019. Before coming to Oxfam, she was the executive director of the Fundación Fondo de Acceso a la Justicia in Puerto Rico for two years, and the Auxiliary Dean of Students of the University of Puerto Rico Law School for seven years, where she also taught several courses on the Legal Profession, Law and Poverty, and Law and Social Change. Adi is currently the chair of the board and founder of Firmes, Unidos y Resilientes con la Abogacía, Inc., a non-profit that accompanies low-income community leaders in Puerto Rico on their advocacy endeavors. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public Policy and International Affairs, a law degree from the University of Puerto Rico, and received both her Masters of Law and Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the Instituto Bartolomé de las Casas of the Universidad Carlos III of Madrid (Spain).
#4 Conversation on how Latino parents and their disabled adult children are being impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak (April 16th, 2020)
A conversation with parent advocates Rocio Perez and Consuelo Puente on how Latino parents and their disabled adult children are being impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Join our conversations with:
Rocio Perez is a licensed social worker and a qualified intellectual disabilities professional in the state of Illinois. She is also an advocate and mother of two young men, one of whom is a 28-year-old with Autism. Ms. Perez has over 14 years of experience working in the field of intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) and is currently the Bilingual Information and Outreach Specialist for the Arc of Illinois.
Consuelo Puente is a retired attorney, advocate, and consultant working with several agencies and organizations that support individuals with disabilities and their families. Ms. Puente’s passion for her work comes from advocating for her own two Latino sons, who have been identified as having Autism Spectrum Disorder, and through her legal experience helping form two not-for-profits: Grupo Salto and Lo Que Puede Venir.
Join our conversations with:
Rocio Perez is a licensed social worker and a qualified intellectual disabilities professional in the state of Illinois. She is also an advocate and mother of two young men, one of whom is a 28-year-old with Autism. Ms. Perez has over 14 years of experience working in the field of intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) and is currently the Bilingual Information and Outreach Specialist for the Arc of Illinois.
Consuelo Puente is a retired attorney, advocate, and consultant working with several agencies and organizations that support individuals with disabilities and their families. Ms. Puente’s passion for her work comes from advocating for her own two Latino sons, who have been identified as having Autism Spectrum Disorder, and through her legal experience helping form two not-for-profits: Grupo Salto and Lo Que Puede Venir.
#5 A bilingual conversation on how Latinx parents and siblings who are Caregivers/Advocates and their disabled family member(s) are being impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak (April 23rd, 2020)
A bilingual conversation with advocates Angelica Davila, Rocio Perez, and Consuelo Puente on how Latinx siblings/parents and their disabled family member(s) are being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our guest(s) are:
Angelica Davila is a Disabilities Specialist at the Resource Center for Autism & Developmental Delays (RCADD) in Chicago, IL. Her experience with the autism community stems from personal and professional development. Having a younger sister with Autism, Angelica became involved with Grupo SALTO and completed the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Training Program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She received her Master’s and is currently working toward her PhD in English in the Program for Writers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Rocio Perez is a licensed social worker and a qualified intellectual disabilities professional in the state of Illinois. She is also an advocate and mother of two young men, one of whom is a 28-year-old with Autism. Ms. Perez has over 14 years of experience working in the field of Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and is currently the Bilingual Information and Outreach Specialist for the Arc of Illinois.
Consuelo Puente is a retired attorney, advocate, and consultant working with several agencies and organizations that support individuals with disabilities and their families. Ms. Puente’s passion for her work comes from advocating for her own two Latino sons, who have been identified as having Autism Spectrum Disorder, and through her legal experience helping form two not-for-profits: Grupo Salto and Lo Que Puede Venir.
Our guest(s) are:
Angelica Davila is a Disabilities Specialist at the Resource Center for Autism & Developmental Delays (RCADD) in Chicago, IL. Her experience with the autism community stems from personal and professional development. Having a younger sister with Autism, Angelica became involved with Grupo SALTO and completed the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Training Program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She received her Master’s and is currently working toward her PhD in English in the Program for Writers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Rocio Perez is a licensed social worker and a qualified intellectual disabilities professional in the state of Illinois. She is also an advocate and mother of two young men, one of whom is a 28-year-old with Autism. Ms. Perez has over 14 years of experience working in the field of Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and is currently the Bilingual Information and Outreach Specialist for the Arc of Illinois.
Consuelo Puente is a retired attorney, advocate, and consultant working with several agencies and organizations that support individuals with disabilities and their families. Ms. Puente’s passion for her work comes from advocating for her own two Latino sons, who have been identified as having Autism Spectrum Disorder, and through her legal experience helping form two not-for-profits: Grupo Salto and Lo Que Puede Venir.
#6 Inclusive Science (April 30th, 2020)
A conversation with scientist and science communicator Dr. Monica Feliu-Mojer of Ciencia Puerto Rico on the importance of inclusive science communication for the disabled Latinx community during this time of COVID-19 and misinformation.
Our guest:
Dr. Monica Feliu-Mojer is a bilingual, award-winning Ph.D. scientist-turned-communicator with a background in neurobiology. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and she uses science communication, storytelling, and community-building to make science more equitable and inclusive. Specifically, Dr. Feliu-Mojer serves as Director of Communications and Science Outreach for Ciencia Puerto Rico (CienciaPR), a non-profit and global community of more than 12,000 scientists, students, educators, and allies transforming science education in Puerto Rico, democratizing science, and training young scientific leaders. She also serves as the Associate Director of Diversity and Communication Training for iBiology, a non-profit producing free online videos to convey the excitement of modern biology and the process by which scientific discoveries are made. Dr. Feliu-Mojer has a B.S. in Human Biology from the University of Puerto Rico in Bayamón and a Ph.D. in Neurobiology from Harvard University.
Our guest:
Dr. Monica Feliu-Mojer is a bilingual, award-winning Ph.D. scientist-turned-communicator with a background in neurobiology. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and she uses science communication, storytelling, and community-building to make science more equitable and inclusive. Specifically, Dr. Feliu-Mojer serves as Director of Communications and Science Outreach for Ciencia Puerto Rico (CienciaPR), a non-profit and global community of more than 12,000 scientists, students, educators, and allies transforming science education in Puerto Rico, democratizing science, and training young scientific leaders. She also serves as the Associate Director of Diversity and Communication Training for iBiology, a non-profit producing free online videos to convey the excitement of modern biology and the process by which scientific discoveries are made. Dr. Feliu-Mojer has a B.S. in Human Biology from the University of Puerto Rico in Bayamón and a Ph.D. in Neurobiology from Harvard University.
#7 Inmigracion (May 7th, 2020)
Una conversación con Michelle García sobre cómo los inmigrantes y los indocumentados en la comunidad de discapacidades se ven afectados por la pandemia COVID-19 y políticas anti-immigrantes.
Nuestras invitada es: Michelle García es una de las cofundadoras de CNLD. Ella ha estado trabajando para Access Living como la organizadora de la comunidad latina desde 2009, en la cual tuvo un interés personal, particularmente el de educar y colaborar con la comunidad latina sobre los derechos y servicios de la discapacidad. Ella es la coordinadora de un grupo de defensa de inmigrantes y latinos llamado Cambiando Vidas, cuya misión es crear un cambio social dentro de la Comunidad de Inmigrantes.
Nuestras invitada es: Michelle García es una de las cofundadoras de CNLD. Ella ha estado trabajando para Access Living como la organizadora de la comunidad latina desde 2009, en la cual tuvo un interés personal, particularmente el de educar y colaborar con la comunidad latina sobre los derechos y servicios de la discapacidad. Ella es la coordinadora de un grupo de defensa de inmigrantes y latinos llamado Cambiando Vidas, cuya misión es crear un cambio social dentro de la Comunidad de Inmigrantes.
#8 Disability and Natural Disasters (May 14th, 2020)
A Bilingual conversation with Yessica M. Guardiola Marrero, Esq. and María del C. Rodríguez-Morales, MRC for a conversation on how disabled Puerto Ricans have been impacted by natural disasters, Covid-19, and its applicability to marginalized populations on the US mainland as we enter hurricane season.
Our guests are: Yessica M. Guardiola Marrero, Esq., is a co-founder of the National Coalition of Latinxs with disabilities (CNLD). Yessica completed a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Puerto Rico and a Juris Doctor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. She is a licensed lawyer and public notary in Puerto Rico and has been working for 10 years as a Technical Assistance Specialist for the Northeast ADA Center through the Movement for Independent Living (MAVI by its Spanish acronym), offering free orientation and training on the ADA and the rights of people with disabilities in Spanish.
María del C. Rodríguez-Morales, MRC is a creative, curious and passionate about educating. Ms. Rodriguez holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Cayey, a Master's degree in Ministry of Rehabilitation from the UPR-Río Piedras, and is a certified in sex therapist. María is an ADA Law trainer in different training modalities in coordination of inclusive and accessible events, accessible tourism and universal design. She has professional experiences in educational, post-secondary and rehabilitative scenarios. In addition, to more than 8 years of experience giving lectures and workshops on topics related to the population with multi-functional diversity (impediment/disability), María currently provides consultancies and trainings with the aim of promoting and achieving the inclusion of population(s) with functional diversity.
Our guests are: Yessica M. Guardiola Marrero, Esq., is a co-founder of the National Coalition of Latinxs with disabilities (CNLD). Yessica completed a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Puerto Rico and a Juris Doctor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. She is a licensed lawyer and public notary in Puerto Rico and has been working for 10 years as a Technical Assistance Specialist for the Northeast ADA Center through the Movement for Independent Living (MAVI by its Spanish acronym), offering free orientation and training on the ADA and the rights of people with disabilities in Spanish.
María del C. Rodríguez-Morales, MRC is a creative, curious and passionate about educating. Ms. Rodriguez holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Cayey, a Master's degree in Ministry of Rehabilitation from the UPR-Río Piedras, and is a certified in sex therapist. María is an ADA Law trainer in different training modalities in coordination of inclusive and accessible events, accessible tourism and universal design. She has professional experiences in educational, post-secondary and rehabilitative scenarios. In addition, to more than 8 years of experience giving lectures and workshops on topics related to the population with multi-functional diversity (impediment/disability), María currently provides consultancies and trainings with the aim of promoting and achieving the inclusion of population(s) with functional diversity.
#9 Self Care in a Time of COVID-19 (May 21st, 2020)
A conversation with author Naomi Ortiz on what self care looks like, the importance of it in a time of COVID-19, and how disabled Latinxs can practice self care for social justice.
Our guest: Naomi Ortiz is a writer, poet, visual artist, facilitator, and the author of Sustaining Spirit: Self-Care for Social Justice, a guide on self-care for diverse communities. Currently Naomi is focusing on her creative projects exploring disability justice, intersectionality and connection to place, as well as speaking to individuals and groups delving into the substance of self-care. She is a Disabled, Mestiza (Latina/ Indigenous/ White), raised in Latinx culture, living in the U.S./Mexico borderlands.
Her book - Sustaining Spirit: Self-Care for Social Justice - can be purchased through: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D99R9RV
Our guest: Naomi Ortiz is a writer, poet, visual artist, facilitator, and the author of Sustaining Spirit: Self-Care for Social Justice, a guide on self-care for diverse communities. Currently Naomi is focusing on her creative projects exploring disability justice, intersectionality and connection to place, as well as speaking to individuals and groups delving into the substance of self-care. She is a Disabled, Mestiza (Latina/ Indigenous/ White), raised in Latinx culture, living in the U.S./Mexico borderlands.
Her book - Sustaining Spirit: Self-Care for Social Justice - can be purchased through: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D99R9RV
#10 Willowbrook State School [Institution] (June 11th, 2020)
A conversation with Jorge Matos Valldejuli, Co-Founder, Assistant Professor and Reference Librarian at Hostos Community College at The City University of New York and Jose J. Rivera Jr. Director of Quality Assurance and Corporate Compliance Officer at Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County in Long Island, on their research & insights on Willowbrook State School [institution] in New York and the connection to today.
Our guests are:
Jorge Matos Valldejuli, is an Assistant Professor and Reference Librarian at Hostos Community College at The City University of New York (CUNY). In addition to his regular duties as librarian, he also provides support to the Accessibility Resource Center serving students with disabilities on campus. His past experiences in Special Education and with mental health challenges influenced his interest in Disability Studies.
Formerly serving as a Reference Librarian at the Center for Puerto Rican Studies Library & Archives at Hunter College, his academic background is in Latin Am/Latinx & Africana Studies. His current research involves documenting issues of race and class in the history of the infamous mental institution, the Willowbrook State School in Staten Island, NY.
He holds a BA in Political Science from Hunter College-CUNY, an MLS from Queens College-CUNY and an MA in Modern European & Latin American History from The Graduate Center-CUNY. He is a founding member of the National Coalition for Latinxs with Disabilities and active with the CUNY Disability Scholars network.
Read Jorge Mato’s article titled “The Racialized History of Disability Activism from the 'Willowbrooks' of this World” for prior insight on the topic. https://activisthistory.com/2019/11/04/the-racialized-history-of-disability-activism-from-the-willowbrooks-of-this-world1/
Jose J. Rivera Jr. is Director of Quality Assurance and Corporate Compliance Officer with the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County in Long Island and brother to Luis. Born in Vega Alta Puerto Rico in 1955, Jose J. Rivera Jr’s involvement in the field of developmental disabilities began with the birth of his brother, Luis Rivera. Born in 1956, Luis was diagnosed with having profound mental retardation and cerebral palsy. In 1961, Luis was placed in the Willowbrook State School and subsequently transferred to the Gouveneur State School facility on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
The eldest of three boys, Jose became the voice of his family’s concerns regarding the neglect and abusive conditions that existed in Willowbrook and in the Gouverneur State School during the 1960’s and 1970’s. What started as serving as his mother’s translator during the parent group meetings, led to his being appointed Vice President of the Gouverneur Parent Association Inc (GPA).
Together with the President, Mrs. Willie Mae Goodman, Jose fought to ensure the needs and rights of all the disabled individuals living in Gouverneur State School during the 1970’s and early 1980’s. In 1990-91, the GPA’s goal of community placement was achieved for the remaining members of the Gouverneur population. Among these individuals was his brother Luis Rivera. Jose’s family and their story are depicted in the documentary “The Unforgotten…. Twenty-Five Years after Willowbrook,” which premiered in 1996/97 to critical acclaim.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcjRIZFQcUY
Our guests are:
Jorge Matos Valldejuli, is an Assistant Professor and Reference Librarian at Hostos Community College at The City University of New York (CUNY). In addition to his regular duties as librarian, he also provides support to the Accessibility Resource Center serving students with disabilities on campus. His past experiences in Special Education and with mental health challenges influenced his interest in Disability Studies.
Formerly serving as a Reference Librarian at the Center for Puerto Rican Studies Library & Archives at Hunter College, his academic background is in Latin Am/Latinx & Africana Studies. His current research involves documenting issues of race and class in the history of the infamous mental institution, the Willowbrook State School in Staten Island, NY.
He holds a BA in Political Science from Hunter College-CUNY, an MLS from Queens College-CUNY and an MA in Modern European & Latin American History from The Graduate Center-CUNY. He is a founding member of the National Coalition for Latinxs with Disabilities and active with the CUNY Disability Scholars network.
Read Jorge Mato’s article titled “The Racialized History of Disability Activism from the 'Willowbrooks' of this World” for prior insight on the topic. https://activisthistory.com/2019/11/04/the-racialized-history-of-disability-activism-from-the-willowbrooks-of-this-world1/
Jose J. Rivera Jr. is Director of Quality Assurance and Corporate Compliance Officer with the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County in Long Island and brother to Luis. Born in Vega Alta Puerto Rico in 1955, Jose J. Rivera Jr’s involvement in the field of developmental disabilities began with the birth of his brother, Luis Rivera. Born in 1956, Luis was diagnosed with having profound mental retardation and cerebral palsy. In 1961, Luis was placed in the Willowbrook State School and subsequently transferred to the Gouveneur State School facility on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
The eldest of three boys, Jose became the voice of his family’s concerns regarding the neglect and abusive conditions that existed in Willowbrook and in the Gouverneur State School during the 1960’s and 1970’s. What started as serving as his mother’s translator during the parent group meetings, led to his being appointed Vice President of the Gouverneur Parent Association Inc (GPA).
Together with the President, Mrs. Willie Mae Goodman, Jose fought to ensure the needs and rights of all the disabled individuals living in Gouverneur State School during the 1970’s and early 1980’s. In 1990-91, the GPA’s goal of community placement was achieved for the remaining members of the Gouverneur population. Among these individuals was his brother Luis Rivera. Jose’s family and their story are depicted in the documentary “The Unforgotten…. Twenty-Five Years after Willowbrook,” which premiered in 1996/97 to critical acclaim.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcjRIZFQcUY