New Challenges Ahead

By: Ranil Sorongon, ASP Executive Director

ASP had a very successful 3rd Chapter Leaders’ Conference from August 28-30 at The Legend Villas. One of the victories mentioned in the conference is the project of ASP Laguna’s Social Enterprise for Young Adults with Autism and their Families” in Batong Malake, Los Baños, Laguna. The project funded by the United Parcel Services in partnership with ASP National Office and ASP Laguna chapter train and employ young adults with autism as office assistants, messengers, food service attendants and in making arts and crafts.

ASP received a Directory of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Entrepreneurs and Enterprise Organizations, during the Regional Committee on Disability Affairs-National Capital Region (RCDA-NCR) meeting last September 7. The directory was published by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Domestic Trade (2009) and contains a list of PWDs engaging in enterprise and enterprise organizations of PWDs nation-wide.

the Directory of Persons with Disabilities (PWD)

Entrepreneurs and Enterprise Organizations

The directory is a welcome development to all PWDs, Disabled Peoples’ Organizations, NGOs working with PWDs, Organizations of Parents of PWDs, Government Agencies, professionals working with PWDs, students and those who may be interested about this marginalized sector of Society.

But after meticulously checking the pages, not one person with autism (PWA) or organization employing PWAs are included in the directory. Where is ASP Laguna Chapter’s Autism Resource Center (ARC) Social Enterprise? How about the Independent Living and Learning Center’s Café Abelardo in Mandaluyong City, which employ persons with autism? The Learning Center’s Sheltered Social Enterprise, which has an alternative livelihood program for persons with autism?

Maybe DTI was not aware of the existence of these organizations. Or they are not aware that a disability like autism exists in the Philippines. Or maybe they are not aware that people with autism are capable of being gainfully employed. This reality is a wake up call to all government agencies to become more aware of the existence AUTISM.

The 3rd Chapter Leaders’ Conference poses new challenges for all of us. ASP National and all its 46 chapters nation-wide to continue working hard to create more noise, create more programs and opportunities, and eventually sustainable jobs for persons with autism. Click here to know more about work and employment for PWDs.

We Share our Hopes with you. It’s time to Help us Build our Dreams. Be an Angel for Autism. Donate generously to Autism Society and help expand programs and services. Donate to ASP’s Banco de Oro Anonas-Kamias Branch savings account number 3980002955. Ask for your Official Receipt. Donors will be acknowledged. Call us at 7-903-5496 or email us autismphils@gmail.com.