Written by Jennifer N. Rivera Vélez of Latinos in Heritage Conservation

When it comes to accessibility in conservation and historic preservation industries, spaces and places, Latinxs with Disabilities face challenges that are often ignored or not mentioned at all. Despite the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) existing for over three decades, ensuring accessibility in public spaces continues to hit a wall of challenges.

A 2021 report by the American Institute of Conservation (AIC) revealed a gap in inclusivity and accessibility in the historic preservation field. Only 29%of conservation professionals identify as Disabled, highlighting an urgent need for more inclusive practices. This issue becomes even more impactful when the Latinx population is the second-fastest growing group in the United States, with 60.6 million individuals as of July 1, 2019.

The state of accessibility in conservation

In that same report by AIC, a survey on Disability awareness and institutional practices found that more than half of respondents claimed their workplaces follow ADA requirements. However, less than this amount was uncertain about compliance, and nearly 10% thought they did not meet ADA standards. What’s interesting to note is that 28 out of 100 of those indicating non-compliance were employed in museums or historic houses, emphasizing the severity of the accessibility issue in these settings.

The challenge increases when less than half of working-age Latinx individuals with disabilities are employed in industries that, directly or indirectly, contribute to heritage conservation. Likewise, it’s unfortunate to note that, more than half of respondents know someone who left the field due to access issues, while less than this encountered difficulties in navigating physical spaces, and merely 7% of events across various industries provide ASL interpretation.

The debate between preservation and accessibility

It’s important to note that the historic preservation movement has neglected the histories of marginalized communities and failed to include cultural resources associated with them in the National Register of Historic Places. (Dubrow et al., 2024)

Often, historic preservation focuses on properties that do not comply with current ADA standards, making adaptation difficult without sacrificing their historical integrity. While this poses a challenge, it should not be used as an excuse to overlook the needs of the disabled community, especially when Latinx sites are hardly recognize. The National Trust for Historic Preservation acknowledges this, emphasizing that while maintaining historic integrity is essential, so is making these sites accessible to all.

Nevertheless, advocacy and education are our best course of action. These can be addressed through the following:

1. Educate and research the histories of intersectional Disability activism, particularly within communities of color. It is crucial to educate our community on the significance of accessibility in conservation. This can be effectively achieved through organized workshops and seminars designed to raise awareness and share best practices.

2. Support and request organizations and non-profits dedicated in champion for policies that mandate accessibility in conservation projects. This includes advocating for funding to modify historic properties to meet ADA standards as well as the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) without compromising their integrity.

3. Partner with Disability advocacy groups that can provide valuable insights and foster a more inclusive approach to preservation. This can look like creating a network of Disability history advocates, share disability history in accessible formats like StoryMaps, virtual tours, websites, or social media. Coordinate with universities, community groups, and museums to promote community or student work and find ways to make disability history accessible to the public. (Dubrow et al., 2024)

4. Connect and engage with Latinxs with Disabilities in the community through public consultations or participatory projects, specifically preservationists who are Disabled. Learn and know how the conservation process can ensure their needs and perspectives are considered
   

Aiming for inclusive historic preservation practices

The goal of making conservation and historic preservation accessible for the Latinx community, especially for Disabled folks, goes beyond simply ensuring accessibility for future generations to appreciate and learn from history. It involves actively engaging with Disabled Latinxs in every stage of planning and goal setting efforts related to historic preservation projects.

The partnership between heritage conservation organizations and Disability advocates is crucial for creating a present that that supports and offers a fuller understanding of what our shared heritage and cultura genuinely represent.

References

National Trust for Historic Preservation. (2021, August 31). Virtual Reality and the ADA within Historic Preservation | National Trust for Historic Preservation. National Trust for Historic Preservation. Retrieved August 31, 2021, from https://savingplaces.org/stories/reflections-on-digital-documentation-virtual-reality-and-the-ada-within-historic-preservation

Equity & Inclusion Committee, Kim, S. G., Dani, A., Emmanuel, S., Frankel, N., Gupta, A., Holder, K., Maldonado, J., Namde, R., Rushfield, R. A., Teper, J. H., Gleeson, M., & Lee, K. (2021). Accessibility in Conservation Survey results. In Accessibility in Conservation. https://www.culturalheritage.org/docs/default-source/publications/reports/survey-reports/accessibility-in-conservation-report.pdf?sfvrsn=f8841720_4

Admin, B. (2021, October 1). NACDD Statement on National Hispanic Heritage Month. NACDD. https://nacdd.org/nacdd-statement-on-national-hispanic-heritage-month

Dubrow, G., Leppink, L., & Heritage Conservation Consultants, LLC. (2024). Seattle Disability Activism Historic Context Study. https://dahp.wa.gov/sites/default/files/SeattleDisabilityActivismHistoricContextStudy_small_0.pdf