Services for People with Disabilities who are Hispanic or Latino
To better serve Hispanics/Latinos throughout Illinois and address their needs, the Illinois Department of Human Services created the Hispanic Services (April 2023) unit under the Division of Rehabilitation Services (IDHS-DRS), Bureau of Engagement and Support Services (BESS). The mission of the Hispanic Services Unit is to work with and help Hispanics/Latinos with disabilities (ages 16-64) obtain employment, education, training, and access to IDHS-DRS services, including community resources. The Hispanic Services Statewide Specialist (Hispanic Services Unit) has focused on two main areas: Outreach and capacity building. In FY 23, the Division of Rehabilitation Service (IDHS-DRS) had more than 6,000 Hispanic, Latino, or Latin X contacts, of whom IDHS-DRS served 1488, and 576 gained competitive employment.
| Demographic |
Customers Served |
% of total Served |
Competitive Employment Outcome |
% of Total Outcomes |
| Hispanic/Combination |
6512 |
17.3% |
576 |
8.8% |
Our Spanish-speaking staff offer culturally sensitive services:
- Vocational Rehabilitation assists customers in preparing for and finding quality employment.
- Hispanic/Latino Rehabilitation Project provides statewide outreach, information, and referral to assist customers in Vocational Rehabilitation and Home Services programs.
- Leadership Development Training Program prepares Hispanic/Latino customers to serve as advocates on boards and committees.
Our IDHS-DRS bilingual staff refers customers and their families to the Rehabilitation Services, the Home Services Program, and other needed services. Currently, IDHS-DRS employs 72 bilingual staff (English/Spanish) across the State who provide technical assistance and support to Hispanic/Latino communities and serve as liaisons to Hispanic/Latino organizations throughout the State.
Outreach
To support IDHS-DRS ' outreach efforts, the Hispanic Services Specialist coordinated the development and production of media products.
- Reviewed the more than 50 current IDHS-DRS (English/Spanish) forms, brochures, and flyers,
- Developed two (2) new brochures and three flyers to support Hispanic/Latino community events, including Careers de Mayo, Northern Cook Job Fair, Individual Placement and Support Services, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).
Internal Capacity Building
To engage IDHS-DRS staff and to educate them about Hispanics/Latinos with disabilities, the Hispanic Services Specialist
- Conducted eight (8) presentations to different administrators (Bureau Chiefs, Assistant Bureau Chief, and IDHS-DRS Agency Supervisors) and technical staff (Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and Coordinators, Home Service Program Counselors and Coordinators, Rehabilitation, and Rehabilitation Counselors).
Engaging Bilingual Staff
In coordination with the Hispanic Services Specialist, Statewide IDHS-DRS Bilingual staff established an Advisory Committee. The committee includes eight bilingual staff members representing most of IDHS-DRS's regions. Meetings with the advisory committee are weekly but monthly with all the bilingual staff statewide. Some expected outcomes include an annual plan of work (2024), support for a non-bilingual team, and new programs, projects, or initiatives targeting Hispanics/Latinos statewide.
Hispanics/Latinos in Illinois by Type of Functional Disability*
| Disability |
Number |
Percentage |
| Mobility |
319,147 |
36% |
| Cognition |
296,351 |
33% |
| Hearing |
182,370 |
21% |
| Vision |
91,185 |
10% |
| Totals |
889,053 |
100 |
*Sources: CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities - DISABILITY IMPACTS ILLINOIS; United States Census Bureau: State Profile
| Hispanic Services Unit |
Existing
Programs |
New 2023 Programs |
# Clients Served |
| Presentations: |
| Hispanics with Disabilities Advisory Board Ideation |
|
x |
8 |
| Training: |
| (Bi-lingual Staff) Hispanics with Disabilities in Rehabilitation |
|
x |
40 |
| Hispanics with Disabilities SWOT Analysis and Strategic Planning for Services |
|
x |
40 |
| Assessing Conditions of Hispanics & Latinos with Disabilities |
|
x |
70 |
| Hispanics with Disabilities in Leadership & Advocacy |
|
x |
0 |
| Total Hispanics with Disabilities Served |
|
|
1582 |
