DeafBlind Awareness Week 2022 | Catarina
Editor’s Note:
Continuing our celebration of Helen Keller DeafBlind Awareness Week, we reintroduce you to the phenomenal Catarina Rivera. Catarina lives with Usher Syndrome (DeafBlindness) and is known as the Disability StigmaSmasher™. A fierce advocate, she was also featured here as both a Monthly Beauty and Woman On The Move.
An admirer of Catarina, I was so happy to finally meet her in person at the American Foundation for the Blind Leadership Conference in Arlington, VA. One of the keynote speakers at the event, her talk was titled “There Is No DEI Without Disability: The Future of Work Must Prioritize Disability Inclusion.”
Since I began following Catarina on social media it’s been a joy watching her grow her business as a remarkable DEI Consultant and Public Speaker. Watching her complete her goals is a sight to behold. The most recent was her TEDx Talk which I will share as soon as it is publicized.
As mentioned in yesterday’s post (DeafBlind Awareness Week 2022 | Sherri), each day this week we will share stories of people within the community who are living with DeafBlindness. Below is a 30-second clip that links to Catarina’s story shared on YouTube. If you’d like to see the entire transcript in blog format you may do so here: Catarina Rivera | Unapologetically Embracing Disability Identity.
I hope you enjoy Catarina’s story. I’d also like to recommend the Helen Keller National Center website as it is a very comprehensive resource.
YouTube Clip
Like what you’ve read and want to chat about it? Join us in the Bold Blind Beauty Facebook group.
Image Descriptions:
- Header says “DeafBlind Awareness Week June 26 – July 2, 2022” in white text on a deep mauve background
- Catarina is posing with both her arms outstretch in front of her holding her white cane in front of her body. She is smiling widely and is wearing a mock turtleneck top with a graphic wave pattern, faux leather leggings, and shiny black boots with a chunky heel. She is standing on a concrete surface with a cream-colored wall behind her and an ornamental spiral green bush behind her in the corner.
- YouTube thumbnail and video description: In the thumbnail, is a photo of Catarina, a light-skinned Latine woman with dark brown hair pulled back in a bun, wearing a dark mock turtleneck top with yellow squiggly stripes. She has red lipstick on and is lying down on a modern bright red sculptural chair in an outdoor courtyard. She has her hand extended in an inviting fashion to a photographer. She’s smiling directly at the camera. In the video Catarina provided the following description “a light skinned Latina woman with dark brown wavy hair swept to one side, I have on glasses with a dark brown frame. I am wearing lipstick and my face is very expressive. I have on silver dangly earrings and a brown shirt with a white trim that has a collar. “