ALAS
Mission
ALAS promotes the independence of persons with disabilities by providing culturally and linguistically responsive information and support to Spanish-speaking Latino individuals, families, and service providers in areas including education and health.
Based in Milwaukee, ALAS is Wisconsin’s only Latino-led Parent Training and Information Center funded by the U.S. Department of Education. For more than 28 years, ALAS has served as a trusted bridge between Latino families and complex disability systems. We help families understand their rights, navigate special education, health care systems, and actively participate in decisions affecting their loved ones.
Through workshops, leadership development programs, and individualized guidance, ALAS strengthens advocacy skills, increases confidence, and reduces isolation among families who often face language and cultural barriers.
Today, ALAS is investing in the next generation of leaders through initiatives like the Self-Advocate Leadership Institute, ensuring Latino adults with disabilities develop the skills, voice, and opportunities to lead and influence community decisions.
Funding request details
ALAS offers El Instituto de Liderazgo: Self-Advocate Leadership Institute, a culturally responsive leadership program designed for Latino, Spanish-speaking adults with disabilities.
This initiative provides structured leadership training, self-advocacy skill development, and opportunities for participants to design and carry out community-based advocacy projects that address issues affecting their communities.
Now in its second year, the Institute continues to evolve based on lessons learned from the first cohort. Support will allow ALAS to strengthen the program’s bilingual curriculum, provide accessibility supports and participant stipends, facilitate hands-on leadership activities, and create inclusive learning environments for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including participants who are non-verbal.
Outcomes include increased self-advocacy skills, greater civic participation, and stronger leadership representation of Latino adults with disabilities in Milwaukee.
Specific funding needs
Amount needed
$20,000
How gifts at different levels would be used
$2,000: Provides accessibility supports and bilingual training materials that allow participants to fully engage in leadership and self-advocacy activities.
$3,000: Supports accessible learning materials and adaptive communication tools that support participation for self-advocates with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
$5,000: Supports one leadership training session, including facilitation, materials, and inclusive learning supports.
$10,000: Expands the program to serve additional Latino adults with disabilities through bilingual curriculum, mentorship, and leadership development activities.
$20,000: Supports a full cycle of the Self-Advocate Leadership Institute, including leadership training sessions, accessibility supports, and participant-led community advocacy projects.
Impact in action
When José joined the Self-Advocate Leadership Institute at ALAS, he had a clear goal: he wanted to find a job. Like many Latino adults with disabilities, José had the desire and ability to work but faced barriers that made employment difficult. Opportunities that were accessible, culturally responsive, and supportive of his communication needs were limited, and he often felt discouraged about his chances of being hired.
Through the institute, José participated in interactive leadership activities that helped him identify his strengths, practice communication skills, and build confidence speaking about his abilities. He learned how to advocate for himself, explain the supports he may need in a workplace, and communicate his goals more clearly.
With encouragement from peers and facilitators, José began to see himself differently—not only as someone looking for a job, but as someone with valuable skills and contributions to offer.
After completing the program, José secured a job for the first time. For José and his family, employment meant more than a paycheck. It meant independence, dignity, and a sense of belonging in the community.
Through programs like the Self-Advocate Leadership Institute, ALAS helps Latino adults with disabilities gain the confidence, skills, and opportunities they need to pursue meaningful goals and participate fully in community life.
