Maria’s journey is like most Latinas – fiery and marked by resilience and determination. At the age of five a traumatic accident left her deaf due to meningitis. Maria emerged from this adversity with a determination to defy limitations and carve her own path.  

Maria graduated from University of Texas at Austin with high honors and embraced her identity as a deaf individual through the gift of American Sign Language. She pursued her legal education at the University of Houston Law Center, earning her license as an attorney in 2010. Today, Maria serves as the Chief Legal Officer and Board Secretary at Communication Service for the Deaf.

Her advocacy has been instrumental in reshaping the landscape of accessibility and inclusivity for deaf and hard of hearing individuals worldwide. But Maria’s ambitions extend far beyond where she is today. Certified as an end-of-life caregiver she is on a mission to ensure that every individual, regardless of hearing ability, receives compassionate end-of-life care as they embark on their final journey.