Mariella Castillo (left) presents her case to the United Nations in New York City in March, alongside Stephanie Boghen.
After completing high school, students with Down’s syndrome are often excluded from the educational system. While their peers plan for CEGEP and university life, teenagers with Down’s syndrome look at spending the rest of their lives occupying low-skilled, part-time labour. Few are encouraged to consider postsecondary education, even if they are capable of profiting from a college environment.
“We need to start viewing people with Down’s syndrome as people with potential,” says Castillo, who has written and lectured widely on accessible education. “Currently there are no support structures in Quebec for these students to pursue postsecondary education.”
Castillo’s action plan outlines coaching styles, progress tracking and sensitivity training for educators. It started as an undergrad project in her first year, when she noticed a lack of human sciences research but a disproportionate mountain of genetic research on Down’s syndrome.
“There has been little research on Down’s syndrome individuality, such as their personalities, capacities or goals,” Castillo says. “Advocacy must be complemented by research, so despite Canada’s high quality of life, our society rarely sees the full capabilities of adults with Down’s syndrome.”
Some in the academic community say that there is no place for people with Down’s syndrome in universities. While reaching out to others, Castillo has seen many doors close in her face.
“I’ve been told my action plan is a bad idea, or it won’t work,” she says. “I quickly realized that to get more people to take this seriously, I would have to make it my undergrad thesis.”
Castillo has now been fighting for the cause for over three years. Alongside the development of the plan, she tutors her protégé, Stephanie Boghen, a Concordia student with Down’s syndrome. This spring Castillo travelled to New York City accompanied by Boghen to describe her plan to the UN.
“I presented and spoke with experts in accessible education, and a weight came off my shoulders,” Castillo recalls. “There are world leaders who understand that this is a priority for social advancement.”
Mariella Castillo has worked closely with Concordia theatre student Stephanie Boghen (above left and far right).