Expanding the work of Project Pixan in Mexico Perkins established the Izamal Strategic Group to advocate for children with complex disabilities.
The group is made up of representatives of public and private organizations, as well as mothers and parent leaders and adults with visual disabilities and deafblindness from academia, civic groups, government, model programs and health services.
The name “Izamal” comes from the Mayan word “Itzmal” which means ‘dew from the sky,’ a character of singular wisdom and mythical origin, considered an instructor and teacher of the Mayas.
The main goal of the Izamal Strategic Group, as in Project Pixan, is to support the educational quality of children and young people with multiple disabilities and deafblindness in Mexico. This initiative supports the Mexican government and civil society in achieving Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” and Goal 17 “Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.”
The planning and execution of actions is divided into 4 working groups with the following topics:
Carlos Gerardo Ponce García, Sub-secretary of Public Education
Silvia Laura Vargas, Institute of Basic Education of the State of Morelos
Guadalupe Trujillo Eslava, Institute of Basic Education of the State of Morelos
Irma Guevara Vega, Perkins International Academy in Mexico Instructor Team
María del Carmen Schleske, Directive Council of CEMDYS A.C. Network of Mothers and Fathers of Children with Multiple Disabilities
Alma Lorena Leyva Luna, Specialized Center for Multiple Disabilities and Deafblindness A.C. (CEMDYS)
Raquel Rodríguez Santiago, Specialized Center for Multiple Disabilities and Deafblindness A.C. (CEMDYS)
Yessica Herrera Gutiérrez, Mexican Association Anne Sullivan I.A.P. (ASOMAS)
Raul Gutiérrez Guerra, Mexican Association Anne Sullivan I.A.P. (ASOMAS)
José Darío Rendón Nieblas, Latin American Federation of the Deafblind (FLASC)
José Rafael Gómez Macedo, Secretary of Education of the State of Jalisco
Alicia Correa Ramírez, National Institute of Pediatric Laboratory of Neurodevelopment
Noemí García García, Normal School of Specialization in Mexico City
Ruth López, Disability Institute of Mexico City
Genaro Burgos Córdova, Secretary of Education of the State of Yucatán
Valeria Luna, Coalition Mexico for the Rights of People with Disabilities (COAMEX)
Mirta Rocha, Coalition Mexico for the Rights of People with Disabilities (COAMEX)
Elia Consuelo Basulto, Secretary of Education of the State of Campeche
Adrián García Rangel, Psychologist
Alma Cortés, Living in Vibration
Raúl Hernández Gaona, Múltiple Attention Center 47 of Hermosillo, Sonora
Nayeli Caldera López, SubSecratary of Basic Education, Program of Strengthening the Special Education Services
Rocío Jiménez Vargas, SubSecratary of Basic Education, Program of Strengthening the Special Education Services
Aldo Muñoz Ortiz, Politics and Fomentation of Inclusion of Disabilities
Marta Elena Ramírez Moguel, Project Pixan Perkins School for the Blind
Carlos Orizaba Ríos, Project Pixan Perkins School for the Blind
Jessica Archundia, Project Pixan Perkins School for the Blind
Emelia Hernández Payán, Project Pixan Perkins School for the Blind
Andrea Rocha Jove, Project Pixan Perkins School for the Blind
Ana Paola Rodea, Project Pixan Perkins School for the Blind
The Ministry of Public Education published infographics and videos for support of students with disabilities to learn at home.
Members of the Izamal Strategic Group participated in the television program ‘Learn at home,’ highlighting support for kids with complex disabilities.
Production of a course for teacher training program, “Educational strategies for students with multiple disabilities and deafblindness.” This course has been adopted by the directors of the Normal Schools of Specialties of Jalisco, Nuevo León.