CARMEN SELLÉS VDA. DE VILÁ (FOUNDER)
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 Manuals of Special Education Procedures. 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.
Mission
Vision
board of directors
President
Héctor Ramos Ayestarán, CPA
Vice president
Atty. Melvin Rosario Crespo
Secretary
Atty. Agnes D. Martínez Colón
Treasurer
Ruth M. Pimentel
Member
María Del Carmen Cruz-Dávila
Member
Frank Torres Morales
Member
María Del Carmen Cruz-Dávila
Member
Joseph Aviles Guzman
Member
Yolanda Varela Ayala
Executive director
Director's Message
Celia Galán Rivera,
Executive director
Welcome to the website of APNI, Inc. (Support for Parents of Children with Disabilities), a space designed where you will find information and tools about the rights and services available for the population with disabilities in Puerto Rico.
APNI is a private, non-profit organization that for the past 44 years has provided services to families of children and youth with disabilities throughout the island. In 1977, the United States Congress passed LP 94-142, the Children with Disabilities Education Act, currently known as the IDEIA Act, “Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act” and since then, APNI was designated by the Federal Department of Education as one of the first three Parent Training and Information Centers (PTI, “Parent Training Information Center”, for its acronym in English). Today there are around 104 parent information centers throughout the nation.
During our career, we have developed collaborative projects and alliances with public and private agencies and other entities with the purpose of expanding services to our population. This year through our projects, we served around 26,000 families and professionals.
As part of our services, we offer training to families and professionals on topics related to special education and health with the purpose of acquiring the knowledge and skills that allow them to work collaboratively to ensure services for their children.
We currently have the following projects:
- Parent Training and Information Center
- Preschool Services Coordinators Project
- Advocacy Services
- Respite Services
- Support network for early childhood service systems
- The importance of early identification in children with hearing loss/deaf
- Unity Day: Unite against Bullying
Our organization has become the largest center of support, guidance and training for families, providers and the community in general. It is our purpose to guarantee full inclusion of the population with disabilities in Puerto Rico.
Through our services we support the Vision, Mission and Institutional Values. We have highly qualified staff with the sensitivity to support and empower families.
Welcome,
Celia Galan
Executive director
Us
In 1975, the United States Congress passed LP 94-142, the Children with Disabilities Education Act, currently known as the IDEIA Act, “Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act” and two years later in 1977, APNI was designated by the Federal Department of Education as the Parent Training and Information Center (PTI, “Parent Training Information Center”, for its acronym in English).
We are the largest support, guidance and training center for people with disabilities in Puerto Rico. Every year we serve thousands of fathers, mothers and relatives of people with disabilities and the professionals who intervene with them, throughout the Island.
Our ideal is that people with disabilities form a worthy part of society and have broad participation in all social, political and economic spheres. They can serve in the community exercising all their rights on equal terms with all other citizens.
“We are a true support network for families of people with disabilities and we are available to answer your questions and offer you individualized help.”
We have a very committed staff who, day after day, with dedication and commitment, makes a difference in the lives of children with disabilities and their families.
Sponsors
Thank you!
We deeply appreciate your contribution, which will allow us to continue providing services and support to thousands of families of children and young people with disabilities.