Perspectives from the Hispanic community on access to information about employment rights for people with disabilities in the U.S. Great Lakes region

Purpose This study examined the barriers Hispanic community members face in accessing information about employment rights under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Although the ADA provides legal workplace protections, Hispanic individuals with disabilities often remain under-informed and underserved, revealing a critical gap in outreach, education, and equitable access to rights-based information. This research centers on community perspectives on how ADA-related employment information is accessed and understood.Materials and methods Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted with Hispanic participants across Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Participants included individuals with disabilities, family members, and service providers. Interviews were conducted in English or Spanish and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis to identify institutional and personal barriers.Results Two overarching themes emerged: institutional and personal barriers. Institutional barriers included limited ADA awareness, perceived lack of employment opportunities, and workplace discrimination. Personal barriers included fear of deportation or rejection, mistrust of institutions, and cultural stigma surrounding disability. These barriers limited access to information and resources on employment rights.Conclusions Improving ADA awareness requires culturally responsive outreach, partnerships with trusted organizations, and accessible Spanish-language education to advance equitable access to employment rights.Implications for rehabilitationRehabilitation efforts within the Hispanic community must address intersecting barriers, including discrimination, immigration-related concerns, and stigma.Family-centered engagement strategies can strengthen advocacy around employment rights for individuals with disabilities.Rehabilitation professionals should actively involve family members in training and dissemination of information related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).Rehabilitation professionals should incorporate stigma-reduction strategies into education and outreach efforts to improve recognition of disability, including chronic and mental health conditions.Rehabilitation professionals should integrate intersectional perspectives into practice and training to better address the needs of individuals across diverse ethnic, linguistic, and immigration backgrounds.