Fostering an inclusive environment for the disabled

THE 37th nationwide observance of National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week on July 17-23, 2015, seeks to create greater awareness on the plight and challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), encourage every Filipino to take responsibility for their socio-economic uplift, and promote a barrier-free environment.

Proclamation No. 1870 in 1979 declared the third week of July as NDPR Week to focus on efforts to integrate the country’s 942,098 PWDs – 473,332 women and 468,766 men – into the mainstream of national life. Proclamation No. 361 in 2000 declared the observance to culminate on July 23, the birth anniversary of Sublime Paralytic Apolinario Mabini, to inspire PWDs to be productive individuals. Mabini’s ideals and heroism in the Philippine Revolution greatly influenced the declaration of NDPR Week.

The 2015 theme is “Health and Wellness of Persons with Disabilities, Opportunities towards an Inclusive Development for All.” Led by the Department of Health, programs include a health fair to assist PWDs avail of free medical and laboratory services, eye and ear screening; assessment for prosthetics; free haircut and massage by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority; free legal aid by Department of Justice; and distribution of purchase booklets by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The “Making Ourselves Vigilant to Exercise (MOVE) 2015 Run and Roll for Inclusion” is at Quezon Memorial Circle, drawing PWDs, their families and friends in the running event to raise funds for PWD medical and rehabilitative care, help disabled athletes participate in sports, and support skills training and disability prevention workshops. The culminating activity on July 23 is at Mabini Elementary School with ear screening for Grade 6 pupils.

The National Council on Disability Affairs monitors the implementation of laws protecting PWD rights and privileges, namely, Batas Pambansa 344, or the Accessibility Law; Republic Act (RA) 6759, the White Cane Act; ILO Convention No. 159, Vocational Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities; RA 10524, which amended the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, promoting equal job opportunity and reserving 1% of all positions in government agencies for PWDs; and EO 134, granting Carer’s Allowance to Employees Compensation Commission pensioners. Carer’s Allowance is a supplementary payment to individuals who provide daily care to the disabled and the sick.

Public and private companies hire PWDs as call center agents, service crew, massage clinic attendants, office and factory workers. No physically challenged person is denied access to job opportunities; a qualified employee with disability gets the same terms and conditions of employment, compensation, privilege, benefits, and incentives as an able-bodied person. A disabled person gets privileges such as express lane and 20% discount on transport, medical, and dental care, purchase of commodities, services in establishments, and a special 5% discount on purchase of basic commodities.