Native American Outreach Project New Mexico

The Native American outreach project targets pueblos and reservations in New Mexico. It is conducted in collaboration with the Disability and Health Program of the New Mexico Department of Health, the New Vistas Living Center in Santa Fe, Acoma/Laguna Rehabiliation Project and the Jemez Rehabilitation Project. In each targeted pueblo, focus groups were formed that included community members and "tribal elders." These groups were used to obtain permission to proceed with the training from tribal governments and to provide guidance in presenting information in a culturally appropriate manner. This was particularly important in more conservative pueblos. For some pueblos, information on disability and the ADA was presented in an indirect manner and within the context of quality of life and well-being. This was done to address the concerns some expressed in focus groups about confronting disability directly. One presentation was called "Life Celebration Seminars," with disability interjected into sections entitled, "Living life to the fullest," "Honoring and respecting uniqueness," and "Learning to celebrate our differences." Great interest was also expressed among many tribal community members in developing resolutions to adopt portions of the ADA into tribal law.

Through consultation with the Tribal Disability Technical Assistance Center based at the University of Montana, training curriculum addressing issues specific to Native American tribes on the ADA, IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act was developed.

At this time in New Mexico a strong network of 137 individuals from the Isleta
Laguna, Acoma, Jemez and Sandia pueblos and Navajo Nation exists and continues to grow.

Contact:

Mary Keener Beresford, Ph.D.
Disability and Education Consultant
2132-A Central Ave SE #284
Albuquerque, NM 87106
Phone: 505-452-8881
Fax: 505-452-0567