Embracing Disability Advocacy With Catarina Rivera
In the next episode of Communicate Like You Give A Damn, host Kim Clark, is joined by DEI consultant and author and disability public speaker, Catarina Rivera. Exemplifying a more inclusive environment, Kim and Catarina discuss the importance of visual descriptions for accessibility as Catarina shares her journey from a Bronx educator to public health advocate and eventually starting Blindish Latina. Not only does she highlight the transformative power of embracing her disability identity but she also delves into the significance of inclusive language, the impact of the curb cut effect, and the crucial role of creating an inclusive workplace culture. By sharing her insights and experiences, Caterina emphasizes that disability is not a deficit but a valuable aspect of diversity that enriches the workplace and society at large.
About The Guest:
Catarina Rivera, MSEd, MPH, CPACC is a disability public speaker, DEI consultant, and content creator with over 14 years of experience in the public sector. Catarina works with companies to improve disability awareness, inclusion, and accessibility. She is the founder of Blindish Latina, a platform smashing disability stigmas through storytelling and advocacy. Catarina has worn hearing aids from a young age and was diagnosed with a progressive vision disability at 17 years old. She has a BA from Duke University, an MSEd from Bank Street College of Education, and an MPH from Hunter College. Catarina is a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (IAAP) who is committed to social justice.
Find Catarina Here:
About Kim:
Kim Clark (she/her) focuses her work on the communicator and content creator's role in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She is the co-author of The Conscious Communicator: The fine art of not saying stupid sh*t, an Amazon #1 bestseller and the leading voice for DEI communications and social justice messaging for brands.
She speaks at conferences, writes custom workshops, writes inclusive communications guides, and consults with companies on all things related to diversity, equity, and inclusion communications. Kim is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, a cisgender woman, Native American (Muscogee Nation) and a mom of two kids with disabilities. These marginalized identities and the privileges that come with society seeing her as White motivate her daily for social change.
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