He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on December 3, 1921 and died on June 18, 2008.
Mrs. Carmen Sellés Vda. de Vilá, educator, businesswoman and civic leader, was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Her parents were Doña Juanita Jiménez and Don Gerardo Sellés Solá. In her marriage to Eng. Luis Raúl Vilá, she had five children: Raúl, a lawyer, Carmiña, a specialist in children with hearing impairments, Vilma, a lawyer, Guillermo, an engineer, and her youngest daughter. , Joanna (RIP) who was born with the condition Down Syndrome. When she was widowed, she ran her family's business Jardines Sellés, dedicated to the export of ornamental plants.
The condition of her daughter Joanna was the reason for her, together with other parents, to found the Association of Parents for the Welfare of Children with Disabilities of PR (APNI, Inc.) in 1977. During the 30 years as Director of APNI and until the last day of his life, he dedicated himself to the fight for the rights of the population with disabilities. Through APNI, Mrs. Sellés achieved significant changes for this population.
Doña Carmen, as she was affectionately known, received countless recognitions, including a Certificate from the Union of Women of America and Honors for her work in the implementation of the Federal Special Education Law, today known as the IDEA Law, being special guest of the First Lady, Nancy Reagan. He actively participated in the drafting of State Law #21, Law 51, in the Public Hearings of the State Plan and since 1988 in the drafting of the Special Education Procedure Manuals. She was an Exemplary Mother of the Capital City in 1984. In 2001, the University of the Sacred Heart awarded her a doctoral degree in Humanities, for her dedicated work in favor of children and people with disabilities, their families and the community in general.
He was always at the forefront in the creation of innovative projects, such as the Respite Program, Summer Camps, Service Coordinators, among others.
He was a member of different committees of government agencies such as the Department of Education, the Department of Health, the Department of the Family and several local universities.
“Doña Carmen” was a woman of dedication and simplicity who left footprints in our hearts and in the hearts of everyone who knew her, an example of inspiration for us to continue her legacy.
APNI has become the largest support, guidance and training center in Puerto Rico for families of people with disabilities, service providers and the community in general. Its primary purpose is to improve the quality of life of this population.