Born: 1959 (Santiago, Chile)
Biography:
María Soledad Cisternas Reyes (born November 4, 1959) is a Chilean lawyer and disability rights activist. With an unwavering commitment to promoting inclusivity and accessibility for people with disabilities, Cisternas has left an indelible mark on both Chilean society and the global stage. Despite facing personal challenges, she has dedicated her career to advocating for the rights and empowerment of individuals with disabilities.
Born on November 4, 1959, in Santiago, María Soledad Cisternas experienced the onset of retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye condition, at the young age of fourteen. This diagnosis progressively impaired her vision, yet she persevered and pursued higher education at the renowned Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Cisternas focused her studies on Legal Sciences, determined to understand the legal framework that influences the lives of disabled individuals.
While in college, Cisternas concealed the deterioration of her vision from her professors and peers. Faced with the difficult reality of becoming blind, she embarked on a journey of self-acceptance and found solace in her emerging passion for disability rights. She recognized the need to address the systemic barriers that hindered the full participation of disabled individuals in society.
After obtaining her law degree, María Soledad Cisternas actively engaged in advocacy work and began forging a path towards lasting change. In 2000, she established the Legal Disability Program at Diego Portales University, where she served as chairperson until 2008. Cisternas also founded Corporación Pro Ayuda al Débil Visual (COPRADEV) and assumed the role of president, further amplifying her impact and influence.
An instrumental moment in Cisternas’s career came in 2006 when she joined the ad hoc committee responsible for drafting the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Her invaluable contributions shaped the international framework for disability rights, setting forth principles of non-discrimination, accessibility, and inclusion. As chairperson of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Cisternas displayed her expertise as she guided the committee in monitoring the implementation of the Convention across nations.
In recognition of her tireless efforts, María Soledad Cisternas received the prestigious National Prize of Human Rights in 2014. Bestowed by the Instituto Nacional de Derechos Humanos, this award commended her groundbreaking work in advancing the rights of people with disabilities, and acknowledged her commitment to upholding the rights of women, children, senior citizens, and indigenous individuals. Cisternas’s holistic approach to social justice highlights the interconnectedness of various marginalized communities.
Further cementing her role as a leader in disability rights, Cisternas was appointed the Special Envoy on Disability and Accessibility for the United Nations by Secretary-General António Guterres in 2017. In this capacity, she continues to spearhead change on a global scale, advocating for the rights of disabled individuals and driving the agenda for greater accessibility and inclusion.
María Soledad Cisternas serves as an inspirational figure, embodying resilience, determination, and a profound commitment to social transformation. Through her unwavering advocacy and legal expertise, she has reshaped the narrative surrounding disability rights both within Chile and globally. Her accomplishments have established a legacy that continues to inspire future generations to champion the rights of individuals who have been marginalized and overlooked.
Awards:
– National Prize of Human Rights (Premio Nacional de los Derechos Humanos) – 2014