Available to book

Disability inclusion speaker & founder

Catarina Rivera

Disability Awareness

Diversity and Inclusion

Effective Leadership

Transform disability inclusion with Catarina Rivera, speaker and Blindish Latina founder. Catarina works with organizations to implement accessibility strategies and DEI initiatives, delivering powerful insights from her intersectional perspective as a Latiné woman with Usher Syndrome.

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Catarina Rivera

New York City, United States

Starting from

£11k–25k

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Book Catarina

New York City, United States

Starting from

£11k–25k

Send an email

loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

Enquire Catarina Now

Instant quote

•

No upfront fee

•

Vetted speaker

Catarina Rivera's biography

International Day of Disability

Hispanic Heritage Month

Educator

Psychology

Inclusion

Hispanic & Latinx

At a glance

Founder of Blindish Latina
LinkedIn Top Voice in Disability Advocacy
Specialises in creating inclusive workplaces through disability inclusion and accessibility

Catarina Rivera, BA, MSEd, MPH, earned her BA in Psychology from Duke University with a Robertson Scholars Leadership Program scholarship, a Master of Science in Education from Bank Street College of Education focusing on Dual Language/Bilingual Education, and a Master of Public Health from Hunter College. Catarina founded Blindish Latina, a platform challenging disability stigmas through storytelling, advocacy, and education. She has over 14 years of experience in educational institutions and nonprofit organisations, specialising in program development, team management, capacity building, community organising, engagement, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. As a Latiné woman with lifelong disabilities, Catarina offers a profound understanding of intersectionality in disability discussions. She wore hearing aids from a young age but was diagnosed with Usher Syndrome at 17, which includes progressive vision loss due to retinitis pigmentosa and hearing disability. Catarina's disability journey evolved through stages: Denial, Acceptance, Self-Advocacy, and Public Advocacy. She understands the complexities of having a nonapparent disability and the societal changes she experienced after using a white cane. She now embraces disability pride and feels empowered by sharing her story. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Catarina's family is Cuban and Puerto Rican. She is a first-generation American on one side and second-generation on the other. Catarina shares her expertise and lived experience with disability, focusing on disability awareness, inclusion, digital inclusion, intersectionality, accessibility, allyship, and advocacy.

Topics, sessions and talks

The Perspective Of A Professional, Disabled, Latiné Woman

Perfect for Disability Pride Month, Latine/x Heritage Month, and National Disability Employment Awareness Month, in this session, Catarina Rivera addresses the intersectionality of identity within diversity through her personal storytelling approach. This session is typically delivered as a fireside chat.

A Practical Introduction To Disability Awareness

In this session, Catarina Rivera focuses on demystifying disability and equipping employees with foundational understandings of disability, including appropriate language to use for disability and how to prevent microaggressions. All participants will learn that disability is not a bad word!

Unpacking Ableism In The Workplace

In this informative training session, Catarina Rivera helps you be able to name and define ableism, including examples, and to understand the historical context of ableism in our society. Your team will also learn how ableism shows up in the common language we use and will receive recommendations for concrete actions that can address ableism in the workplace.

Disability Inclusion For Leaders

In this session, Catarina Rivera teaches managers and leaders the benefits of inclusion, why disability inclusion is so important, and best practices for inclusion. Managers and leaders will learn how to respond appropriately and supportively to disability disclosure.

Why we recommend booking Catarina

Book Catarina Rivera for her unparalleled expertise in disability advocacy, intersectionality, and DEI initiatives. With 14+ years of experience, a compelling personal journey, and a dynamic storytelling approach, she will inspire and educate your team on creating inclusive, equitable environments.

Check Catarina's availability

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What topics does Catarina Rivera specialise in?

Catarina Rivera specialises in discussing disability awareness, inclusion, intersectionality and more.

What is Catarina Rivera's speaking style like?

Catarina delivers insightful, engaging presentations rooted in lived experience, fostering inclusion and understanding. Her style is authentic, approachable, and empowering, making complex topics accessible and inspiring meaningful change.

How can I book Catarina Rivera for my next event?

Email catarina.rivera@getapeptalk.com or call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience. As speaker agents, PepTalk can secure Catarina Rivera for commercial and corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity brand endorsements & partnerships, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Catarina Rivera's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. Please note, for media interviews, autographs, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Catarina Rivera directly.

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Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. We work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

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