Ana Victoria Espino de Santiago is a 28-year-old woman from Zacatecas, Mexico, who recently graduated from law school at Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas. Upon crossing that stage, she made history as the first female lawyer with Down syndrome.
Before enrolling in her law program, she had completed high school through an online program. Through this, she was able to avoid societal obstacles that students with Down syndrome or other disabilities face worldwide.
As a new college student, Espino de Santiago encountered, for the first time, an educational system not built for people like her. They were unprepared to meet her needs. As per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by having an extra copy of chromosome 21. This extra genetic material alters how the brain and body develop, leading to mild or moderate intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, and distinct physical features. People with the condition can live long, healthy, and fulfilling lives.” In the classroom setting, these challenges can manifest as language delays, issues with working memory and executive functioning, and struggles with abstract thinking. Physically, someone with Down syndrome might struggle with fine motor skills, gross motor skills, fatigue, and sensory deficits.
Additionally, it’s common for schools to fall short in their instruction of students with disabilities. Some systemic and environmental barriers include teacher shortages, finite resources, limited peer-to-peer access, limited access to the general curriculum, and prejudiced attitudes or behaviors from peers and school staff.
Espino de Santiago succeeded in the general education setting with the support of a paraprofessional.
Outside of academia, Espino de Santiago has always advocated for the rights of people with disabilities through several legislative forums and by sharing her personal story. It was through these efforts that she gained background knowledge on the legal field.
The young disability rights lawyer gained international fame in several countries post-graduation. Espino de Santiago has now collaborated with foundations in Spain, Peru, and Chile to advance the rights of people with disabilities. She has also received multiple job offers from employers in different countries.
Espino de Santiago aspires to be a legislator and will continue to fight against ableist policies and everyday practices that hinder the quality and quantity of life for people with disabilities.
“Teachers play a crucial role in creating a more inclusive educational environment. It’s recommended that educators be supportive, listen to their students and offer additional support when needed,” Espino told the newspaper La Jornada de Zacatecas.
Apart from her impressive educational background and her advocacy efforts, she has an exceptional talent for the arts. Espino de Santiago has held several exhibitions showcasing her artwork. Some of her paintings have also been shown at the Congress of the Union in Mexico City, in a collection she titled “Desde mi cielo,” (“From my sky”).
From Cami 