Anyone taking on the rigors of law school expects it to be demanding, but Emely Recinos L’26 has the added challenge of reading case law, breaking down briefs, and participating in late night study sessions—all without the ability to see. Now a 3L preparing to graduate, Recinos has proven that what some might consider a barrier has instead helped her find her own voice and ignite a passion for advocating for marginalized people facing the legal system.
Diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition at age 7 that led to blindness, Recinos remembers doctors and school administrators telling her family that getting an education would be difficult. School made her feel isolated and depressed, and other children didn’t understand her disability. “It was a dark time without a lot of positivity around it,” she says.
Thankfully, a devoted teacher who worked with the visually impaired made it her mission to be sure Recinos left sixth grade with the ability to read and write braille—an essential foundation for her future success. She also convinced Recinos to use her white cane, increasing the young girl’s independence and providing an outward sign to others that she was blind. It was a turning point, allowing her to grasp the many possibilities ahead of her. Recinos didn’t know it then, but one of those things was studying to become a lawyer.
Understanding the Legal Needs of Other Marginalized Groups
Recinos excelled in college, earning an undergraduate degree in international relations from New York University. Upon graduation, she worked as a case support associate for the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights in New York City. It was there that she came to understand first-hand how other marginalized groups—specifically unaccompanied immigrant children—needed reputable legal representation. This struck a chord and inspired her to pursue a law degree as a way to create meaningful change.
Discovering the Disability Law and Policy Program
She was drawn to Syracuse University College of Law because of the Disability Law and Policy Program (DLPP), which was then under the direction of its founder Professor of Law Emeritus Arlene Kanter. The DLPP was a major reason Recinos decided to attend Syracuse Law, and she notes that current director Professor Katherine Macfarlane has been a constant source of encouragement and support throughout her legal education.
Recinos understood that navigating Syracuse Law would require thoughtful preparation. Before beginning law school, she worked with an orientation specialist to familiarize herself with Dineen Hall and continues to map out the routes to her classes ahead of each semester.
The staff at Syracuse University’s Center of Disability Resources has also helped her access course material in an accessible format. Recinos uses screen reader software on her laptop that turns digital content into synthesized speech, as well as a device with a Perkins-style braille keyboard that allows her to take notes and can be connected to her laptop.
Getting Involved and Exploring Orange Flex
Recinos was eager to get involved in activities at the law school. As a 2L, she joined the Disabled Law Students Association, a student organization that provides support and information for those with disabilities, that is open to all Syracuse Law students. The association helps connect members with volunteer opportunities, brings in speakers on pertinent topics, and promotes individuality throughout the entire Syracuse University campus. This year, Recinos is serving as co-president of the organization.
She also decided to take advantage of the College of Law’s Orange Flex program, an opportunity for law students to spend their final year at a supervised legal internship, while taking online courses through Syracuse Law’s JDinteractive program.
Starting last summer, Recinos was placed at the New Jersey Consortium for Immigrant Children, a nonprofit helping minors with immigration matters, including those with no legal guardians in the U.S. According to Recinos, the current political climate has resulted in continuous changes in fees and rules for obtaining special immigrant juvenile status, so the organization works to ensure minors have effective legal representation.
Over the course of her internship, Recinos assumed expanded responsibilities, including serving as a lead on a case under attorney supervision and drafting certification briefs. She liked the work so much that she requested to stay on for the fall 2025 semester.
“I enjoy immigration law and working with children who feel like their voices aren’t being heard,” she adds, noting that her fluency in Spanish was helpful in her role. “When I was a child, I often felt people were speaking for me or over me, and I want to do what I can to make sure these children have a voice.”
Realizing Her Education Came With Options
Through her experiences at Syracuse Law, Recinos realized that having a disability didn’t mean her only option was to practice disability law. She has discovered that there are many ways her personal and professional experiences intersect with education, employment, civil rights, and international human rights.
As she prepares to graduate, Recinos wants to continue to help those with immigration issues or disabilities access to quality legal representation. She is currently exploring post-graduate opportunities with various civil rights organizations. Recinos also recently wrote “The Overlooked Tourist: Enhancing the Market for Disabled Travel,” soon to be published by the College of Law’s Journal of International Law and Commerce.
Eventually, Recinos sees herself working on policy to ensure that those with disabilities or anyone who feels unheard due to their circumstances will be protected under the law.
“I feel like I’ve been able to accomplish so many things here at Syracuse Law, particularly how to use my own voice to advocate for myself and others,” she says. “I’ve found wonderful mentors, a community of peers, and professors who’ve taken that extra step for me. I know I have a lot of options moving forward, and I’ve been empowered by that.”