Every dream starts in the mind of a person and in this case it was the dream of Dr. Liliana Mayo.
While pursuing an undergraduate degree in clinical psychology in 1977, Liliana was labeled a troublemaker by her academic advisor for asking too many questions. A military government governed Peru during the 1970s, and “radical”, well-read psychology students such as Dr. Liliana, were “punished” by being sent to complete internships in special education. However, little did Liliana know, this internship would change her life. She encountered a grim situation.
No educational infrastructure existed for people with severe disabilities as few people believed they could learn, meaning that most stayed at home learning little and accomplishing even less. Unable to turn her back on this reality, opening a school for people with different abilities became Liliana’s dream. With her parent’s blessing, she set up a small classroom in their garage. On August 20, 1979, Centro Ann Sullivan del Perú (CASP) became a reality. Eight students immediately enrolled and Liliana’s friends from the university became volunteer teachers. Against all odds and its humble garage beginnings, CASP has grown into an international full service center that educates over 450 students annually, ranging from birth to adulthood. This growth was also thanks to support from principle CASP consultant, Dr. Judith LeBlanc from the University of Kansas who joined Liliana's dream 35 years ago. Dr. LeBlanc's role in developing the CASP model has been integral to the impact of CASP around the world.
The continual education program includes curriculum for students, parents and siblings as well. This makes CASP unique, as the only center currently known of that persistently and continually teaches and refreshes family skills throughout the student's’ lifetime of education. The CASP model of inclusion into life is successful because families, schools, communities, and workplaces have become a team that is intensely dedicated to the success of each student.