Casa Grande University celebrated the culmination of studies of its first student with Down syndrome

The inclusion has been part of the philosophy of Casa Grande University (UCG) always, motivating them, on more than one occasion, to open the door of the higher education center also to people with some type of disability.

The night of Tuesday, February 15, that pedagogical effort celebrated another triumph when your student Martha María Ampuero (24 years old) received her certificate of post-baccalaureate studies in a happy graduation ceremony along with his companions.

Martha, who was also honored with a resiliency award, has Down syndrome. and, after graduating from high school, his family went to the Casa Grande for advice so that she could continue her academic training.

Marcia Gilbert, President of the Council of Regents of Casa Grande University and founder of Fasinarm, received them personally. “We did the necessary tests, we checked his facility with words, his ability to be in contact with others, etc., because within Down syndrome there are several intellectual levels, some with a more severe limitation, but Martha is at a high levelGilbert explains. “A synonym for special education is to personalize education, that is, to give each person what that person can learn.”. And along these lines, a curriculum according to the needs and interests of the studentwho were strongly inclined towards the Communication and Performing Arts.

For five years (including the start of the pandemic) Martha studied 18 interfaculty subjects and approved a total of 51 credits. In accordance with current law, the university was able to grant a post-baccalaureate certificate.

Thus, Casa Grande University initiates a pilot program for people with cognitive limitations, with the aim of allowing them to develop soft and professional skills to function in the labor field. This certification responds to a challenge from the university to advance in inclusive policies that allow the maximum potential of each student to be developed.

“Marthi was always a student interested in learning, she develops naturally with her classmates, forging very strong ties, not only academic onesbut also of affection and camaraderie, which made them support her in collective work”, she comments. Virgil Valero, who was his teacher in Interpretation Workshops and Body Workshops. “I consider that time was a mutual learning of growthto adapt the academic instructions without detriment to the demands or content”.

Lotty Palacioswho shared with Martha in the subject of Art Direction and Set Design, Costume and Makeup, also highlights his ingenuity and sense of responsibility. “As well I admire her tenacity to achieve what she sets out to do, this is going to take her very far”.

Within her training, Martha had also the opportunity to be part of important works by outstanding theater directors, among them, Jaime Tamariz. “Now he is assisting Fasinarm for hours as an assistant, he is being given secretarial training, but we we are also going to launch a theater activity in FasinarmGilbert anticipates. A scenario where the graduate will surely shine again.