Claudia garcia

California Environmental Organizer

Advocate, Educator, and Mother

Claudia Garcia is a dedicated mother and advocate for families with special needs, particularly those in the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. After suspecting her son, Sal, was deaf at age two, Claudia's advocacy journey began. Sal was diagnosed Deaf,  leading Claudia to become deeply involved in his education. Realizing the need for communication, Claudia learned American Sign Language (ASL) and ensured Sal received the support he needed by sending him to a specialized school.

Claudia’s professional journey includes working as a case manager at Lindsey Unified and later as a parent advisor at The Parenting Network. She focused on empowering parents, helping them learn ASL and bridge communication gaps with their children. She also advocated for the rights and resources available to families under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

In addition to her work, Claudia joined Poder Latinx to raise awareness about the importance of amplifying voices to elected leaders and strengthening connections between youth, educational institutions, and families. She is committed to bridging the gap for ADA families and ensuring they have the resources and support they need.

Through her experiences, Claudia understands the challenges parents face, especially those in farmworker families who have limited and different  schedules. Her experience and dedication are what brings her environmental work to the forefront for families with different abilities. Her creativity to connect environmental justice to everyday occurrences is a resource that shapes her daily work at Poder Latinx.