CHCI–Target Intern
Hometown: Hacienda Heights, California
School: California State University, Northridge
Major: Deaf Studies
Placement: The Office of Rep. Gil Cisneros
Ana Maritza Rivera is a junior at California State University, Northridge majoring in Deaf Studies. Born to a single mother who immigrated from Guatemala, She learned first hand what it means to have a strong work ethic.
Before being accepted into California State University, Northridge she attended a local community college where she earned her certification in American Sign Language. Ana Maritza’s upbringing has taught her the struggle of the working class, and these experiences have led her to stand up for underserved and often overlooked communities. She is fighting every day to create a more accessible environment for the deaf community. In the future she hopes to bridge the divide between deaf individuals and law enforcement’s processes and procedures.
As a CHCI intern, she hopes to gain knowledge on how to develop policies that help make the world more accessible for people with physical and mental disabilities.