A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons, united voluntarily to meet their common economic social and cultural needs and aspirations through jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. Cooperatives exist in nearly all sectors of economic and social activities and are found in almost all countries of the world.
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| Autism Advocacy through Cooperatives group discussion |
In the Philippines, the Autism Society Philippines has supported communities in the creation of independent economic ventures. And the many who advocate for autism acceptance and inclusion have contributed to the creation and growth of the cooperative movement.
Happy Homes Housing Cooperative was conceived by OneLife Foundation Inc. and ChildFind Therapy Center. It is being spearheaded by Special Education professor Dr. Edilberto Dizon, with the objective of providing adults with special needs and retirees a special community that gives lifelong care, supervision, and guidance, together with their families; work in sheltered employment; and involvement in leisure activities. It also seeks to provide families a continuous supply of providers for their children with special needs. Read more at http://www.happyhomeshousingcoop.org.
Kaakibat ng ASP Quezon City Credit Cooperative was organized by ASP Quezon City members with the purpose of helping its members and their children with autism. The cooperative aims to conduct activities that will support the cost of the children’s therapy and education and the cost of skills training and behavior therapeutic support of those facing adult life. With the guidance and supervision of the ASP parents, they provide opportunities for adults with autism to become productive, ordinary and useful citizens in our country. For more information, you may contact Josephine Palomares via josephinepalomares[at]yahoo.com.
Kaakibat ng ASP Laguna Credit Cooperative provides loans to its members for productive or provident purposes and to create actual work opportunities for young adults with autism and related disorders. This cooperative aims to help Person with Disabilities (PWD) to experience equality among the others, to give their special needs from the cooperative where they are belonging and soon to have an employment opportunity. They are based out of the Autism Resource Center in Los Baños, Laguna. Read more at http://asplagunachapter98.wordpress.com.
The United Nations’ International Day of Cooperatives is observed every first Saturday of July. One of its goals is to increase awareness on cooperatives, as well as strengthen and extend partnerships between the international cooperative movement and other supporting organizations including governments.
About the Author: Marylyn V. Catig is currently the Program Assistant for Communication of ASP. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 2013 at New Era University in Quezon City.
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