The group was formed by teachers, students, staff of the "Universidad Don Bosco" (UDB) and external students. Lasting 4 months, each level was offered to the students of the UDB already in possession of the prequisites and to young deaf persons.
During the end-of-course graduation ceremony, the academic Vice-Chancellor, prof Humberto Flores explained that the program built a different university with a more humane climate. "It's not so much about including deaf people as it is ensuring that the people we listen we, first of all, include in a different world," he said.
Edwin Campos is one of the young students of the first class. Due to an ingestion of pharmaceutical drugs for children, he gradually lost his hearing. He and his mother, on learning about the "Sin Barreras" project, decided to enroll. By 2018, with the knowledge of Sign Language, Edwin will make his dream come true: to study at the Don Bosco Institute, a Salesian institution that will grant him a full scholarship to attend its three-year course in Automotive Mechanics.
The students of the project will accompany Edwin during his educational process, supporting him and the school teachers. "We have committed ourselves to the Don Bosco Institute to help translate for Edwin; as a project we have chosen to create a mentoring program for him. For example, some third-level students helped Edwin in the translation of messages during the course's introductory session," said Mariely Rodríguez, Coordinator of "Sin Barreras."
One of the event's significant moment was the Special Mention awarded Julio Aceituno, professor of the Project and the first deaf person in the country to graduate in Electronic Engineering. Dr Aceituno studied at the UDB and recently received the title that accredits him as a professional in the field.
This social inclusion initiative was launched in 2016 by the Association of Salesian Students of Thought and Civic Education (AESPEC) and the Salesian Association of Students in Aeronautics (ASEA) of the UDB.
This project also corresponds to the fourth Sustainable Development Goal, which demands "quality education" and promotes inclusive education.
