Austin Esposito-Vigil is a 2nd year Latino graduate student from Topeka, Kansas. His particular interests are Deaf communities in North Africa and the Middle East. He received his BA in Religious Studies (Islam) from the University of Colorado at Boulder in May 2010. For the program, Austin focuses on development in North Africa and the Middle East with a particular focus on the human rights and religious/ political views of people with disabilities and other underrepresented groups. After graduation, he hopes to work with an NGO in tackling advocacy rights and equality for Deaf communities / people with disabilities in Egypt or Central America. During the summer of 2011, Austin backpacked throughout the Middle East meeting with different Deaf communities and learning about their cultures and communities.

Austin is doing his practicum with the Human Rights Campaign in their Human Religion and Faith Program which strives to mobilize people of faith to advocate for LGBT equality at all levels within social and political engagements. He hopes to spend his spring internship in Egypt and work with an non-profit organization working with either the Deaf Community or people with disabilities. For more information about Austin, check out his resume on LinkedIn.