The Road to Sustainability – The ASP Experience

By: Tiffany Tan, ASP Board Secretary

The 2nd Asia Pacific CBR Congress was held recently at Sofitel Philippine Plaza from November 28-December 1, 2011, with approximately 600 delegates from 65 countries participating.

ASP Chair Emeritus, Dang Koe, was invited guest speaker to discuss Country Experiences in promoting the components of CBR on the third day of the congress. Dang talked about ASP’s Experience on the Road to Sustainability. The seminar was attended by approximately 100 foreign and local practitioners of CBR and NGOs.

ASP Chair Emeritus Dang Koe during her talk

In support of the concurrent seminar from the national office were ASP Executive Director, Ranil Sorongon, who is part of the Program Committee of the 2nd Asia Pacific CBR Congress and this author. Representatives from ASP UP CAMP Chapter’s Ms. Elizabeth Udquin (chapter president) and Jennette F. Rodriguez (secretary); ASP Diliman Chapter’s Ms. Telay Gaban and Budong her teen son with autism and ASP Laguna Chapter Ms Lian Del Valle.

(from left to right) From ASP Laguna Chapter Ms Lian Del Valle and President Ms Riza Cansanay, from ASP Diliman Telay and Budong Gaban with ASP ED Ranil Sorongon

The seminar fees of the chapter delegates were sponsored courtesy of former Isabela Governor and PWD advocate, Honorable Grace Padaca. Some of them also served as volunteer documentors and secretariat staff for the congress. Like other Disabled Peoples Organizations (DPOS), including Parents Support Organizations, Autism Society Philippines was on the brink of closure in 2002. Funds were running out, employees’ morale was down, the board of trustees was disunited and the members refused to renew their membership due to the poor delivery of services.

The Road to Sustainability showcased ASP‘s experience on: how it became an active player from being a passive member of the disability sector; how it increased its annual paying membership; how it expanded its chapters; how it became an enterprising organization to sustain its program and services. Joining her were Ms. Kylie Mines of Motivation Australia, who spoke on addressing the need for appropriate mobility equipment and development to support the implementation of the WHO Wheelchair Guidelines (2008); including the potential use of the Training Packages.

Liliane Fonds, India representatives reported on the factors responsible for the transition of faith based organizations (FBO) from Institution based practices to CBR based rehabilitation programs and the challenges they faced during this process. A local example from the Philippine experience was reported. The ACAP, which is the hard-copy official newsletter of ASP, and brochures were distributed to the participants as a way of informing DPOs about autism, ASP Programs and Services and its role in the disability movement in the country and ASEAN Autism Network.

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Be an Angel for Autism. Donate generously to ASP Programs and Services. Donate to Autism Society Philippines Metrobank Kamias Branch 047-3-04751874-2. Email us at autismphils@gmail.com or call 7-903-5496