November is the month for the annual American Speech Language and Hearing Convention for speech language pathologists and audiologists. It’s a time when we can share with our colleagues what we’ve learned this past year and also share with convention exhibitors the need for more materials and tests in Spanish. I’m a member of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and get their newsletter that always has some interesting information. I would like to share with you some of the highlights of their Fall, 2001 AGENDA. For more information, you can read about policy issues affecting the Latino community and programs available to community-based organizations at www.nclr.org.
NCLR report: Beyond the Census: Hispanics and an American agenda.
- The Hispanic population grew by 53% from 1980 to 1990 and by 58% between 1990 and 2000 to reach 35 million.
- Growth occurred in typical states such as California, New York, Texas, but also Wisconsin, Midwest and several states in the South.
- Hispanics reside in metropolitan areas because of employment opportunities.
- Hispanics were more segregated from Whites in 2000 than they were in 1990.
- Latinos are less likely than Whites to own their own home. 46% of Hispanic households owned their own home in 1999, compared to 72% of non-Hispanic White households.
- Half of Latinos are under 26 years old and more than 1/3 are under 18.
- 35% of Latino 3 and 4 year-old children are enrolled in preschool, compared to 55% of White and 60% of African American peers.
- The proportion of Latino students attending predominately minority schools increased from more than 2/3 to three-fourths.
- Hispanics are the group of Americans most like to lack health insurance, 2 in 5 Hispanics versus 1 in 7 Whites.
- Latinos have a 90% risk rate for developing diabetes. (Tests show that by losing only 10 pounds the risk of developing diabetes is reduced by 58%!)
- The Congress and Bush administration are working to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the main federal law concerning education in grades pre-K through 12. The House education bill, the Leave No Child Behind Act would consolidate programs and require testing of students to measure academic progress. It contains a provision that would prohibit schools from providing classroom instruction in a language o her than English to limited-English proficient students until the parents of these children follow new federally imposed bureaucratic procedures. Only parents of LEP students would be required to follow this procedure (this denies instructional services to LEP students or exposes parents of LEP students to a different treatment by school personnel).
Special Assistance to New York and Washington, DC Hispanics
All of the Affiliates listed below are looking for resources and services offered in Spanish and focusing on the Latin American community. They will share this information with those injured, their families, or with other agencies providing relief efforts.
DC/VA
- Hispanic Committee of Virginia 703-671-5666
- HCV is working with the Red Cross. They are trying to become an alternative blood donation site.
New York
- Asociacion Tepeyac
www.tepeyac.org
Asociacion Tepeyac is searching for and reporting on the hundreds of Mexican nationals who were in the towers through its website. - PROMESA systems, Inc.
718-299-1100 Yolanda
Santiago
PROMESA is assisting volunteer police and firemen who have come to New York from other areas. They are offering support services to these out-of-town volunteers. PROMESA is also making their bilingual counselors available to the injured, their families, and volunteers. Please contact them if you have a need for counseling services in Spanish. - Spanish Theater Repertory
working with 23rd Street Business Association
212-255-3037
The Spanish Theater Repertory is located next to the morgue that has been set up for victims. They are making their facilities available as a place gather for families who have to make this unfortunate trip. This effort is coordinated by the 23rd Street Business Association. - 13th Precinct 212-477-7411
The 13th Precinct of the NY Police Department is also coordinating relief efforts. To offer assistance in this please contact them directly.
- SOMOS ARBOLES
- NUESTRAS RAICES
- SE COMMUNICAN
- CON LAS RAICES
- DE OTROS ARBOLES
- NUESTRAS RAMAS
- CRECEN DESEANDO
- OTRAS RAMAS
- ALCANZAR
- Francisco Alarcon
Have a great time at convention!
