AAPI Heritage Month: Honouring Asian Americans with disabilities

RespectAbility has recognised the contributions made by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) with disabilities in the United States, during AAPI Heritage Month.

There are more than 18 million Asian Americans in America today, of which 1,315,999 Asian Americans live with some form of physical, sensory, cognitive or other disability. In addition, there are 612,857 native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders living in the United States, of which approximately 64,782 have disabilities. Digging deeper, there are also 537,908 working-age Asian Americans with disabilities.

In the economic expansion prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Asian Americans with disabilities had one of the highest employment rates of the disability community, with 43.1% in jobs. By comparison, 76% of Asian Americans without disabilities had jobs prior to the pandemic.

At the same time, it is critical to recognise the societal barriers that still impact people with disabilities among the AAPI community. For example, 17.9% of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with disabilities live in poverty, compared to 10.6% of those without disabilities.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

In public schools across the US, there are 6.3 million students with disabilities, a slight majority of whom identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC). Of that number, there are 165,353 Asian students with disabilities and 23,809 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander students with disabilities.

These small numbers reflect the deep systemic issue of the underrepresentation of Asian American and Pacific Islanders students with disabilities in special education. This means that many students with disabilities have not been diagnosed and are therefore not receiving the support or services they need to succeed. Part of this is an issue of school resources, but it also shows the need to fight stigmas around people with disabilities.

RISING HATE CRIMES AGAINST ASIAN AMERICANS

This year’s celebration of AAPI Heritage Month is particularly important, given the increase in racially-motivated hate crimes against Asian Americans since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. In a national study released by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, hate crimes in 2020 decreased overall by 7%, but those targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders rose by nearly 150%. 

These statistics are alarming, but unfortunately, they are only the tip of the iceberg. “As a society, yet again, we are at a critical crossroads,” stated RespectAbility Vice Chair Ollie Cantos. “By coming together to amplify our voices, in the spirit of the great Mahatma Gandhi, we each get to BE the change we want to see.”

HONOURED PROFESSIONALS

So, in a bid to shine a spotlight on individuals with disabilities who are members of the AAPI community, RespectAbility is honouring the following professionals: 

• Ollie Cantos: A Driving Force in Reshaping Intersectional Visibility 
• Sneha Dave: Super Talent Creates Network for Teens and Young Adults with Chronic Health Conditions 
• Tammy Duckworth: Senator Serves as Role Model for Many 
• Shaina Ghuraya: Triple Threat Creates Space for Spectacular Intersectional Stories to Grow 
• Abigail Heringer: The Bachelor Season 25’s Frontrunner is a Deaf Contestant
• Mazie Hirono: Hawaii Senator Recognised for Leadership as an Immigrant and as a Person with a Disability 
• Kannie Yu LaPack: I Was Diagnosed With Breast Cancer – then Coronavirus Happened 
• Staff Spotlight on Vanni Le
• Steve Lee: Disabled Comedian Breaks Down Stereotypes Through Jokes

A recent survey reveals that around 8 out of 10 Asian Americans are discriminated against in the US. Click here to read more. So, influential business leaders from corporate America have backed the launch of The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) to help fight discrimination directed at AAPI communities in the US.