LRT Orientation and Forum on Accessibility for PWDs

By Cricel B. Elises, ASP Administrative Staff

July 20, 2011, The NCR Regional Committee on Disability Affairs (RCDA) gave an Orientation of PWDs on Light Rail Transit (LRT) Accessibility and Safety Features in Compliance to BP 344 or the Accessibility Law. The activity was held at the LRT 2, Santolan Depot, Pasig City. The activity was in line with the 33rd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week (NDPR) Celebration, with the theme “Making the Rights Real for Filipinos with Disabilities” (“Isakatuparan ang Karapatan ng Filipinong May Kapansanan”).

ASP Executive Director Ranil Sorongon with Teacher Ren, Directress of Footstep learning Center Inc., a PWA Student and his Teacher

Eng. Emerson Benitez, LRTA 2 Deputy Administrator for Operations of the Engineering Department, gave the welcome remarks, while Ms. Delia U. Bawan, Director III OIC from DSWD-NCR, gave an inspirational message. Ms. Ana Maria Valdez, DILG-NCR discussed the overview and objectives of the activities. Invited speakers on the morning’s topic were Architect Jaime aka “The Blind Architect” Silva, Chairperson on the Committee on Accessibility of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) discussed the Batas Pambansa 344. Ms. Evelyn Paragas, Head of Public Relations Officer and Mr. John Buenaventura Chief B, Transportation of Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA). They discussed on the LRT history, accessibility, safety and security features. Dir. Susan Cruz, Office of Civil Defense-National Capital Region (OCD-NCR) discussed the OCD-NRC’s project on Disaster Preparedness and how the agency prepares and responds to PWDs in times of crisis/disasters (such as earthquakes, typhoons, and the like). As tokens for the participants, the agency distributed flashlights equipped with mini whistle. Dr. Cruz also demonstrated how to use the whistle as a means of calling people’s attention during emergencies. This coming September, the agency will conduct a “Disaster Drill for PWD’s in LRT/MRT” Seminar for LGUs and other PWD Groups. Demonstration on involving retrieval or rescue of PWDs will also be included.

ASP Administrative Cricel Elises with RCDA Members and LGU’s PWD Participant

An open forum followed after the ride from Santolan to Katipunan Station. Feed backs/responses were collated after the activity. A lot of issues were discussed, such as the Rights of PWDs and the Obligations of LRT Management to their special commuters. The LRT 2 management responded/acknowledged the PWD concerns and would immediately take appropriate actions. ASP Executive Director Ranil Sorongon gave the closing remarks.

ASP Executive Director during his Closing Remarks

Special thanks to NCR RCDA members and partner agencies of the 33rd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week (NDPR) Celebration: DSWD-NCR, NCDA, PIA, DILG-NCR, DepEd, DTI, DOH, DOTC, DPWH, DOLE, DOA BAI-NCR, LRTA, KASAMAKA CBR Foundation, MMDA.

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Autism Society San Jose del Monte Chapter Building Orientation

Autism Society San Jose del Monte Chapter Building poster

*Click image for larger view

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Core Issues of Parent Groups of Children with Disabilities

By: Tiffany Tan, ASP Board Secretary

ASP representatives joined the 2nd Philippine Coalition on UN CRPD Training last July 14-16, 2011 at the Bayview Park Hotel, Manila. The Philippine Coalition on UNCRPD is tasked to make an alternative country report on the implementation and monitoring of the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Mr. Alex Cote

On Day 2, the speakers and topics discussed on Core Issues of PWDs
· Core Issues for Sector: Analysis of Causes/Consolidation
· Formulating Recommendations for Core Issues
· Testimonial by Dr. Penny Bundoc, MD on Data Gathering in Health and Medicine, the Physicians for Peace Experience

To discuss the different CORE ISSUES of the Disabled Persons’ Organizations (DPO) present, Cote subdivided the group according to advocacies. The rational of this exercise was to identify the pressing issues of PWDs, to identify the reasonable expectations, create a new awareness on the needs of other PWDs.

The Parent Group was represented by Autism Society Philippines (ASP); Parents of Visually Impaired Children (PAVIC); Philippine Association for Citizens with Developmental & Learning Disabilities (PACDLD) and Olongapo City High School.

Among the group 3 were parents of CWDs (2 for Autism and 1 for Visually Impaired), one special education teacher, with Ranil Sorongon, ASP Executive Director as facilitator of the group.

ASP Executive Director Ranil Sorongon with other PWD Group

Among the CORE ISSUES of CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES, as stated in Article 7; the following were discussed:

1. Adequate Standard of Living and Social Protection (Article 28)

The rationale behind this article as the first priority- children who receive inadequate nutrition often lead to disability (eg. Intellectual disability due to iodine deficiency); living under unhealthy conditions lead to sickness or diseases (when a pregnant mother is sick, it is highly probable that she will give birth to a disabled child); lack of state assisted disability services.

2. Health (Article 25)

Lack of early detection and early intervention programs such as vaccines to address early childhood diseases (such as Measles, Mumps, Rubella); lack of information dissemination campaign of the New Born Screening Programs, especially in the rural areas; discrimination on health insurance; not including PWD in the Conditional Cash Transfer Program of DSWD.

3. Habilitation and Rehabilitation (Article 26)

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office used to grant FREE evaluation and therapy services to CWDs. Recently, the services are lessened and confined to a small office located in the Quezon City Hall complex; unaffordable multi-disciplinary assessment (diagnosis and treatment) of CWDs; lack of training of professionals to address needs of CWDs

4. Education (Article 24)

Mass exodus of trained and licensed professionals who seek greener pastures; unaffordable multi-disciplinary assessment (diagnosis and treatment) of CWDs for placement in schools; lack of reasonable accommodation (citing lack of trained teacher as an excuse)

5. Participation in Cultural Life, Recreation, Leisure and Sport (Article 30)

CWD like other children must be given opportunities to join or watch in talent and cultural shows, enjoy leisure and recreational activities like watching movies, etc. However due to the inaccessibility of these facilities CWD can’t enjoy their right. Another is the attitude of people upon seeing CWD joining such activities.

Realizations and Learning

At the end of the discussions, the Parent Group reported their CORE ISSUES to the Visually Impaired or Blind Group. The “Blind Group”, headed by lead convenor, Lauro Purcil recommended including the Insurance issue in the alternative report. This can also be used as an advocacy tool for the Philippine Health Insurance Commission for amendments to harmonize with UNCRPD.

This cross-disability exercise helped the other groups empathize more about the needs of the other members of the disability sector, in order to gain another perspective on their issues.

The 3-day training is sponsored by the International Disability Alliance, (IDA) The Katipunan ng May Kapansanan sa Pilipinas, Inc. (KAMPI), Australian Agency for International Development (AUSAID) and the Christian Blind Mission (CBM) and Physicians for Peace.

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.

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Clarifying Reasonable Accommodation and Progressive Realization

By: Tiffany Tan, ASP Board Secretary

ASP representatives joined the Philippine Coalition on United Nations Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) Training last July 14-16, 2011 at the Bayview Park Hotel, Manila. The Philippine Coalition on UNCRPD will be writing an alternative country report on the UNCRPD. Alex Cote, Capability Building Officer of International Disability Alliance facilitated the 3-day training.

Participants of the UNCRPD Training

Below documents the Day 1 topics and speakers on Reasonable Accommodation and Progressive Realization

· Experiences with Physical Accessibility on BP 344 or the Accessibility Law by Architect Jaime Silva, UAP
· Experiences in Special Education by Dr. Therese Bustos, UP College of Education
· Critiquing of the Proposed National Human Rights Action plan by Atty. Ray Paolo Santiago, Ateneo Human Rights Center
· Data Gathering on Human Rights Violations by Dr. Renante A. Basas, Commission on Human Rights
· Alternative Budgets as tools for Social Development by Prof. Alvic Padilla, Social Watch Philippines
· Lessons and Challenges in the Preparation of the CESCR Parallel Report by Dr. Hymia Pimentel-Simbulan, PhilRights
· A Plan for a Systematic Review of Existing Legislation in the Context of the CRPD Principles by Atty. Rosirio Olivas-Gallo, Vice Dean, College of Law De La Salle University

During the group activities in between the talks, Persons with Disabilities (PWD) some of their grievances on the violations against PWD on the following (1) Omnibus Election Code on the en banc resolution on assistance to PWD voters, but how to harmonize them with the CRPD, (2) BP 344 have no specific terms/parameters set for transportation (e.g. provision/accommodation for wheel-chair bound passengers in buses) citing cases on PWDs having to pay for high cost of taxi fare instead of taking affordable public transportation systems with limited PWD access, (3) PWDs right to education, but unfortunately, not all public schools can give “quality” education to PWDs.

Cote clarified to the group the meaning of “reasonable accommodation” as affecting one person in one particular situation, addressing his individual needs within the available resources, here and now. This is linked to the individual discrimination, and does not involve a “systemic change”. Cote said the question to ask is “What is best for the individual?”

Mr. Alex Cote with Mr. Lauro Purcil

Returning to the Article 2 of the CRPD, we find the definition of “reasonable accommodation,” necessary and appropriate modification and adjustments not imposing a disproportionate or undue burden, where needed in a particular case, to ensure to persons with disabilities the enjoyment or exercise on an equal basis with others of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Progressive realization is the member state’s obligation in realizing the PWD rights fully. It gives developing countries, like the Philippines, some flexibility in achieving the objectives of the Convention, it does not absolve States parties of the responsibility to protect those rights. Unlike economic, social and cultural rights, civil and political rights are not subject to progressive realization. In other words, States must protect and promote these rights immediately.

The day ended with another reminder by one of the speakers to build networks to strengthen issues of PWD. As rights bearers, we ought to ENGAGE duty bearers to hear our plight, with VIGILANCE.

The activity is sponsored International Disability Alliance, (IDA) The Katipunan ng May Kapansanan sa Pilipinas, Inc. (KAMPI), Australian Agency for International Development (AUSAID) and the Christian Blind Mission (CBM) and Physicians for Peace.

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.

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Templates for PWA’s Education

By: Tiffany Tan, ASP Board Secretary

“Autism is more challenging compared to other disabilities. Our goal is to eventually remove ‘parent’ or ‘care giver’ from the picture, so that Patrick can be assimilated in the University,” related Peng So, ASP National Vice-President and Chair of the Education Committee, to this author.

Now a third year BS Life Science student at Ateneo de Manila University, Patrick So, aka “The Math Wizard” is supported by the “Buddy or Peer Support” system patterned from the US. His mom works with an Occupational Therapist/Psychologist to address his needs in adjusting/coping with college life.

PWA Partick So

The Peer Support Program is a pilot project of Ateneo’s SPEED Org or Special Education Society. Members of this organization can serve as “buddies” to special needs students, for certain number of hours, on a voluntary basis. This program also aims to equip Psychology or Special Education Students to better understand the needs of PWA students like basic classroom rules, socializing with peers, or keeping appointments. So hopes that the Peer Support Program can also inspire other colleges to follow suit. Click here to watch video on the So family, courtesy of True Stories.

ASP Laguna Chapter’s Autism Resource Center (ARC) operates a small catering service and employs adolescents and young adults with autism. They also provide regular trainings like cooking, ice making, banana chips making, to clerical/messengerial tasks like encoding, packing and delivery. Click here to read more about ARC.

Parents and teachers who volunteered for the “Hands on Training" of ASP Laguna's ARC.From left to right Jane S. Lumbo, Ma. Sharon A. Roque, Riza R. Enriquez, ASP Laguna Chapter President Riza Cansanay, Jerome S. Nicolas and ASP Trustee, Gina Bermudo

For employable persons with autism, Carmel Almendrala, ASP Trustee and Chair of the Advocacy Committee advocates to let PWA take government examination. According to Almendrala, her son Mike passed the examination administered by TESDA for Civil Service Eligibility back in 2005. He is now working as a regular employee at the Philippine Information Agency. Click here to watch video about the Almendralas, courtesy of CBN Asia.

PWA Mike Almendrala

ASP also continues to educate students in Universities and Colleges about autism through Alyana, the first Filipino digital documentary on autism, by film maker Mirana Medina. Click here to watch the trailer. Interested universities can contact ASP at autismphils@gmail.com.

Digital poster of Alyana

ASP looks forward to an inclusive, rights based, barrier-free Educational System for children, adolescence and adults with autism. We continue to work hard for the future of our children. We Share our Hopes with you. It’s time to help Build our Dreams. 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.

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