Raquel has an extensive history of collaboration with national and international civil society organizations. Raquel is a psychologist with a master’s degree in higher education from the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters of UNAM. She has been a significant part of the academic staff of the Faculty of Psychology of the UNAM. Her academic career and dedication to promoting and advocating human rights for people with intellectual disabilities and their families were recognized with the prestigious 2011 Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz National University Award. This award is a testament to her expertise and commitment to psychology and human rights.
Ms. Jelinek was a member of the Board of Directors of the Confederation of Organizations in Favor of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (CONFE), vice president (2000-2012), and director of this organization (2012-2016). In coordination with several civil society organizations, she was part of the CONFE research group that provided information and guidelines for reviewing Mexico’s report to the United Nations in Geneva in 2014. Raquel chaired Inter-American Inclusion (2004- 2016) and was named an honorary life member of Inclusion International (2016 to date). She currently presides over the Special Education Research and Services Center (CISEE, A.C.), an organization that operates in agreement with the UNAM’s Faculty of Psychology. Ms. Raquel has been part of human rights organizations of national representation (CONADIS Consultative Assembly). She is part of CADUNAM of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters of the UNAM.
Jelinek was pivotal in establishing and strengthening the Network of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities (RIDES-Mx). The participating HEIs have been and continue to champion experiences, proposals, and processes that foster the inclusion of people with disabilities in higher education. To this day, several of its members are part of the National Higher Education Network for Inclusion (RENADESI-ANUIES).
Raquel’s intellectual contributions are not limited to her roles and leadership. She has extensively researched and published on education, family, human rights, intellectual disabilities, and inclusion. Her work has been featured in various media platforms, including the “Siglo XXI, Perspectives on Education from Latin America” magazine, where she serves as a member of the Editorial Committee, and columnist Magazine “CENTRO CONFE,” where she is a columnist member of the Editorial Committee and style editor; and Magazine “Flor del Desierto” of the Mexican Association of Friends of the Ben Gurion University in the Negev (AMAUBG), where she was a founder, editorial and editorial director and columnist (2001-2009).