Accomplishment Reports – �鶹��ý

The �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý), as the country’s focal point on disability, takes the lead in campaigning for Disability Inclusive Development through implementation of policies and programs in all levels of governance to ensure active participation of Flipinos with disabilities in achieving Inclusive Growth, as the main thrust of the Aquino Administration.

As one of the 62 countries that adopted the 3rd Asian and the Pacific Decade to Make the Right Real for Persons with Disabilities (2013-2022), �鶹��ý in close collaboration with government agencies and instrumentalities, local government units (LGUs), civil society organizations, organizations of/ for persons with disabilities, adopted the Incheon Strategy on Disability Inclusive Development as a framework in the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. �鶹��ý’s advocacy on issues identified as priority by the stakeholders was strengthened by consultations from the national to the regional level and resulted into major policies relevant to the needs of persons with disabilities in terms of political, economic and social participation.

Along policy formulation, the �鶹��ý successfully worked with the Office of the President for the issuance of Proclamation No. 688 “Declaring the Period of 2013-2022 as the Philippine Decade of “Make the Right Real for Persons with Disabilities”.

The said proclamation, signed on November 22, 2013, directs �鶹��ý to formulate and issue a comprehensive National Plan of Action for the Decade and instructs all government agencies, instrumentalities, local government units, civil society organizations and disabled people’s organizations, to implement plans, programs, and activities that are geared towards the development of persons with disabilities in accordance with the Incheon Strategy. It also states that the funds necessary for its implementation shall be sourced from the appropriations of concerned government agencies.

As a result of the initiatives of convening �鶹��ý Inter-Agency sub-committees composed of national government agencies, Disabled People’s Organizations and NGOs, concerned government agencies formulated and issued memorandum circulars, administrative orders and other policies supporting the implementation of disability-relevant laws and programs, such as follows:

Government Agency	Policy Details	Date of Issuances
Department of Labor and Employment	Memorandum from the Secretary – “Institutionalization of Priority Lanes for Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities in the Department”	November 19, 2013
Department of the Interior and Local Government	Memorandum from the Secretary – “Institutionalization of Priority Lanes for Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities in the Department”	November 6, 2013
Department of Tourism	Memorandum from the Secretary – institutionalization of Priority Lanes and Services to all Foreign and Filipino Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities	November 4, 2013
Department of Environment and Natural Resources	Memorandum from the Secretary – “Institutionalization of Priority Lanes for Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities in the Department”	September 17, 2013
Department of Foreign Affairs	Reactivation of Department Order No. 223-11 – “Creation of a DFA Working Group for Policies and Programs for the Disabled” in consultation with �鶹��ý	December 22, 2011
Department of Justice	Opening of PWD Assistance Desk in Justice Halls- piloted in Quezon City Hall	July 17, 2013
Department Public Works and Highways	Memo Circular instructing all District Engineers to coordinate with �鶹��ý in organizing the District Accessibility Monitoring Team within their jurisdiction	2013

The �鶹��ý also lobbied for its approval and contributed in the formulation of the following laws and its implementing rules and regulations which were enacted in 2013:

Republic Act No. 10524 – Employment of persons with disabilities in government agencies, offices or corporations, and to private companies;
Republic Act No. 10372 – Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines which allows reproduction of copyright materials into accessible formats to be used for learning activities of people with disabilities; and
Republic Act No. 10366 – Establishment of Accessible Polling Places for Persons with Disabilities by the Commission on Election.

In July 2013 during the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week, the �鶹��ý together with the Commission on Election has launched disability-inclusive election which highlights the passage of R. A. No. 10366 and encouraging persons with disabilities to re-register to ensure provision of assistance during election day.

The �鶹��ý also engaged with the Council for the Welfare of Children for the adoption of the “Child Protection Policy” and on its Multi-Sectoral Consultation Workshop on Missing Children which incorporated the concerns of children with disabilities.

In consultation with the Department of Justice, Department of Budget and Management, Civil Service Commission, Department of the Interior and Local Government and DPOs the implementing rules and regulations/joint circular relative to Republic Act No. 10070 or the establishment of Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) in LGUs was drafted for presentation to concerned stakeholders.

With its international network and linkages, the �鶹��ý has developed a road map for the country’s implementation of the Incheon Strategy to “Make the Right Real” for persons with disabilities through its participation in the following:

ASEAN Workshop on CRPD: An Inclusive and Accessible Society for All –
Employability and Employment;
UN-High Level Meeting on Disability and Development;
Regional Workshop on Disability-Inclusive Agribusiness Development;
69th Session of the UN ESCAP
Global Action Planning;
Second APCD/JAIF Project Regional Meeting and ASEAN Meeting on
Promoting the UNCRPD towards Enhancing the roles and Participation of
Persons with Disabilities in the ASEAN Community; and
2013 Global IT (Information Technology) Challenge.

Along the strategic goal of increasing the number of LGUs compliant to disability-related policies, laws, programs, and services, the �鶹��ý conducted consultations on building an inclusive and non-handicapping environment for persons with disabilities in 17 regions of the country. These have resulted to organization of 85 District/Provincial/City/Municipal Access Monitoring Teams whose main task is to promote the implementation of B.P. 344 through inventory of accessible and inaccessible establishments and to conduct access audit with participation of persons with disabilities.

The �鶹��ý also capacitated 78 LGUs in 17 regions of the country through provision of current information on disability and conduct of trainings/seminar/workshops with 22 LGUs on NHE and Disability Equality Training (DET); and three (3) LGUs/government agencies on Web Accessibility.

Along the strategic goal of increasing the number of disability-related structures at the local level, the �鶹��ý organized and monitored 219 disability-related structures comprising of 96 PDAOs, 77 Access Monitoring Teams, 44 Sub-Committees, and two (2) local committees.

In addition, the �鶹��ý through the funding assistance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided the following support services for persons with disabilities:

Sixty six wheelchairs from Latter Day Saints Charities and 26 customized and standard wheelchairs;
Two hundred forty white canes, wherein 200 of those where given to blind students enrolled in 60 SPED centers/schools in different regions;
Four (4) walkers, 12 pairs of crutches, four (4) hearing aids; and
Twelve laptops and seven (7) tablets to college students with disabilities

The other support services which the Council provided in 2013 include:

Sign language interpreters during court hearings and other programs and activities;
Newborn Screening card/kits to 200 mothers (which is aimed at advocating the importance of early detection and intervention of disabilities);
Training and knowledge-transfer on “Appropriate Paper-Based Technology Upgrade and Business Planning” to 30 entrepreneurs with disabilities of Carmona Federation of Persons with Disabilities; and
Training on Business Management and Project Proposal Writing for Social Enterprise Development Partners for 29 DPO leaders from 13 regions of the country.

Along the area of consultation with persons with disabilities/civil society organizations/ national government agencies/ local government units, the �鶹��ý conducted a “Write Shop on the “National Disability Strategy” and “Decade Plan of Action” and participated in two (2) “Public Sector Linkages Program in Developing a Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation Framework on Disability in the Philippines” in sync with the Incheon Strategy.

The �鶹��ý also co-sponsored the “National Forum on 10 Goals to Make the Right Real” with AKAP-Pinoy (Alliance of Persons with Disabilities).

These consultations provided a venue for persons with disabilities to articulate their concerns with various groups of duty-bearers and stakeholders.

Along the Secretary’s directive “to make the government and public know the sector’s situation and make them act on these, the �鶹��ý mobilized different GOs/NGOs/DPOs and other stakeholders through the �鶹��ý’s different sub-committees which served as a venue to discuss and recommend policy and program recommendations to the Council’s governing board and secretariat for adoption and/or implementation.

The �鶹��ý also conducted and supported a number of advocacy and awareness campaigns on disability concerns and to generate commitment and support for the empowerment of persons with disabilities as members of an inclusive community. The �鶹��ý led the commemoration of 11 disability-relevant events and observances. Foremost of these include the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in December; 35th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week in July; and Women with Disabilities Day in March.

The �鶹��ý established disability sections in six (6) schools, wherein four (4) are in Luzon and two (2) in Visayas. These disability sections serve as a channel to provide relevant information to the academic community. It also mounted nine (9) various exhibits including its participation to “KABISIG” program which gathers government agencies for the promotion of their programs and services. It also partnered with the Presidential Communications Operations Office for a series of photo exhibits on the Incheon Strategy to Make the Right Real for Persons with Disabilities.

The other programs which the �鶹��ý conducted and supported, in line with the said Secretary’s directive include:

Forum on Training and Employment for Persons with Disabilities in partnership
with DOLE
Persons with Disabilities’ Product Conference in partnership with Leonard
Cheshire Disability Foundation Philippines
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Jobs and Skills Fair for
Persons with Disabilities in partnership with ICTO
Ms. Beauty on Wheels, Signs and Visions- in cooperation with WOWLEAP-which
provided personality, leadership and advocacy training for 27 young women
with disabilities;
Orientation Seminar on Disability Sensitivity and Emergency Responses for
Persons with Disabilities conducted in cooperation with MMDA and local
government of Hilongos Leyte;
Training of Day Care Workers on Inclusive Education-SPED conducted in Iloilo
and Mandaluyong City;
Conference on Increasing Sensitivity Level of Parents and Caregivers of Children
with Disabilities;
Pre-ASEAN Conference on Auxiliary Social Services for Persons with Disabilities
and Work at Home Entrepreneurship for Persons with Disabilities in
partnership with DSWD Social Technology Bureau;
Pre-Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Congress in partnership with World
Health Organization
Regional Committee on Disability Affairs- National Capital Region-wide Skills
Competition for Persons with Disabilities
“Access 2020 Race to Success”- an advocacy for accessibility with Tahanang
Walang Hagdanan
AFS-KL Yes Program for Students with Disabilities which resulted to selection of
three (3) scholars with disabilities in Exchange Program to US
National Forum on Incheon Strategy’s Ten Goals- in partnership with AKAP
Pinoy;
Disability Sensitivity Training and Forums for frontliners in customer services and
tourism industries in partnership with SM Supermalls nationwide, Department
of Tourism, Greenhills Shopping Center and Ayala Malls.

The �鶹��ý also actively addressed the concerns of persons with disabilities in times of disasters through its membership in an Inter-agency Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction Management and participation in the observance of the International Day for Disaster Reduction. It also developed a Manual on Disability Inclusive Plan on Disaster Preparedness.

“NOTHING ABOUT US, WITHOUT US” is the battle cry of persons with disabilities. With this, �鶹��ý affirms its strong commitment to represent persons with disabilities and assert their dreams for an inclusive and rights based society.

2012 �鶹��ý Accomplishment Report

dandee — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 21:24:21 +0000

NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY AFFAIRS

The year 2012 is another challenging and a fulfilling year for the �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) as it strives to pursue its mandate of sustaining disability rights promotion. With the growing concerns of Filipinos with disabilities, it has intensified its coordination and advocacy efforts through progressive partnership and collaboration with various government agencies and non-government organizations of and for persons with disabilities in the country and its counterparts overseas as well.�� The Council likewise continues to fast track its coordination with these entities to promote implementation of local statutes and international disability mandates, amongst are the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the impending Incheon Strategy to Make the “Right Real” for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific which serves as the framework for the 3rd Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013-2022.�� Following are �鶹��ý’s major accomplishments in 2012.

Non Handicapping Environment (NHE) Project�� 

�� This project is a joint undertaking between �鶹��ý and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which was funded by the latter and implemented in two (2) pioneering sites in the country, namely; the Municipalities of New Lucena in Iloilo Province and Opol in Misamis Oriental.�� Technical assistance was also provided to the project by the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) through capacity building of local key stakeholders and persons with disabilities through the conduct of Disability Equality Training, NHE Forum, and Advocacy Campaigns through NHE Comics Distribution and Orientation, among others.

Barrier-free and accessible structures for persons with disabilities such as ramps, hand/grab rails, and signages, among others, have become familiar sites in the NHE pilot areas.

Promotion of Statutory Laws and Events on Disability

Intensified efforts have been undertaken to promote among key stakeholders landmark disability laws of the country, amongst are: (1) Republic Act 7277, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities; (2) Republic Act 9442, the act amending RA 7277; (3) Republic Act 10070 better known as Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) Law; and (4) Batas Pambansa Blg. 344, better known as the Accessibility Law.

In an effort to intensify implementation of RA 10070, the Council conducted the first PDAO Congress in Manila with the purpose of consulting the appointed heads of PDAOs.�� Around 64 PDAO heads and 17 PWD Focal Persons in local government units were present during the dialogue which also threshed out the working relationships between them, the Local Social Welfare and Development Officers and other local stakeholders.�� Highlighting the Congress was the review and deliberations among the participants the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the said law.

On the other hand, campaigns for the�� issuances of PWD identification cards among local chief executives were also conducted in compliance to RA 9442. A total of 714 municipalities and 110 cities submitted their reports on PWD issuances totaling 192,675 issued IDs as of December 31, 2012.

National Congress on Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office.

Moreover, the Council has continuously collaborated with various government agencies, non-government organizations, civil society organizations, and disabled people’s organizations (DPOs) in the observance of disability-related events and observances, such as the Autism Consciousness Week in January, Rare Disease and Disorders Week in February, Women with Disabilities Day in March, White Cane Safety Day in August, Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection (CPAP) Week in September, and Deaf Awareness Week in November. It also led the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week in July and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3. Each celebration was an opportunity to highlight issues relevant to each disability group and for the disability sector in general.

Product exhibits during the 2012 National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week celebration on July 17-23 at the Occupational Safety and Health Center, Quezon City. The products on display were made by persons with disabilities.

Launching of Ped Xing (pedestrian crossing) with audio warning device for the blind during the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3 at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) grounds in Makati City.

Campaign on Inclusive Education

With the goal of strengthening the capacity of the Department of Education (DepEd) and its partners in implementing inclusive education, �鶹��ý top officials attended the “High Level Officials’ Benchmarking Workshop” in Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in ��Brisbane, Australia to observe best practices in the implementation of inclusive education in Australia. The importance of policies, support services and community engagement were highlighted during the workshop which took place in August. ��As their output, a draft document titled��“Philippine Policy Framework on Inclusive Education”��was developed.

Participants to the High Level Officials’ Benchmarking Workshop on “Strengthening the Capability in the Implementation of Inclusive Education in the Philippines,” in Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.

Furthermore, a Training of Trainers was held in the same University on September 3-14 that was attended by senior officers of the Council together with DepEd technical staff.�� The team prepared the “Facilitators’ Guide on Inclusive Education” that would be used as reference in the conduct of advocacy on inclusive education in the country.

As an off-shoot of these overseas trainings and as a commitment to the benefactors, i.e., the Australian Agency for International Development and QUT, a “Stakeholders’ Orientation on Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities in the Philippines” was held on December 5 under the auspices of the Council.�� Key stakeholders of Inclusive Education program have participated.�� Similar undertakings followed that were conducted in Manila; Tanza, Cavite; Legazpi City, ALbay; Iloilo City, Iloilo Province; and Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

The eight-man Philippine delegation who participated in the Public Sector Linkage Program on Building the Capacity to Strengthen the Implementation of Inclusive Education in the Philippines together with Australian mentors.

Meanwhile, Senate Bill No. 3002, “An Act Instituting Inclusive Education In All Public and Private Elementary and Secondary Schools” was filed by Senator Edgardo Angara with inputs from �鶹��ý and DepEd.

Strengthening of �鶹��ý Sub-Committees and Regional Committees on Disability Affairs��

As a mechanism for the development of policies, programs and projects and advocacy for disability inclusive programming, regular meetings of the following �鶹��ý Sub-Committees were held, to wit: (1) Accessibility on Built Environment and Transportation; Training, Employment and Livelihood; (2) Auxiliary Social Services; (3) Health; (4) Information and Communications Technology; (5) Advocacy; (6) Education; and (7) International Disability Network were held to discuss and resolve issues affecting persons with disabilities.�� A joint meeting of all these Sub-Committees was also convened and held in September to refresh members on the terms of reference and updated accomplishments.

With the clamor of the sector of persons with disabilities to have access to justice, a Sub-Committee on Anti-Discrimination and Access to Justice was created with the Department of Justice as Chair.�� The Sub-Committee is mandated primarily to assist persons with disabilities in filing cases against violation of disabilities laws, and furthermore, to act as legal counsels in the litigation/hearing of cases either as complainants/plaintiffs and/or respondents. Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, �鶹��ý Chairpeson led the launching held in September 18, 2012 together with DOJ officials.

Likewise, ��the Regional Committees on Disability Affairs (RCDAs) were also convened quarterly to generate issues where policies can be developed.�� These meetings are being held to monitor the progress of program implementation of stakeholders and provide directions on inclusive program development for persons with disabilities.�� Majority of the RCDAs are chaired by DSWD Field Directors who act on concurrent capacity other than their regular functions.

Launching of the �鶹��ý’s Sub-Committee on Access to Justice and Anti-Discrimination led by DSWD Secretary and �鶹��ý Chairperson Corazon Juliano- Soliman together with DOJ officials.

Support to NGO Initiatives

�鶹��ý is one of the primary movers that supports the Fully Abled Nation (F.A.N.) Campaign for the Nationwide Registration of Voters with Disabilities, including the promotion of accessible polling places to ensure persons with disabilities’ right to suffrage, in partnership with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), The Asia Foundation, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), and other concerned government agencies and civil society organizations (CSOs). The project utilizes the links of �鶹��ý with RCDA local member agencies and disabled people’s organizations.

Through this campaign, the COMELEC has registered more than 344,000 voters with disabilities as of October 2012. It also paved the way to its issuance of a Resolution providing accessible polling places for persons with disabilities.�� The F.A.N. Campaign will ensure that registered PWDs can vote starting the 2013 mid-term elections and forthcoming elections in cognizance of their right to suffrage.

�鶹��ý has also partnered with the Leonard Cheshire Disability Philippines Foundation, Inc. Young Voices Philippines (LCDPFI-YVP)�� for the launching of a national campaign dubbed as “May PWD ID Ako, Kasali Ako, ” a national advocacy program of LCDPFI which�� aims to involve 16 – 25 years old youth with disabilities in facilitating and monitoring number of PWDs having disability IDs in their own respective communities.

The national campaign was held in September this year in Iloilo City where Police Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz, Philippine National Police Regional Director in Region 6, was the Keynote Speaker.�� He committed to establish a “PWD Desk” where complaints for violations of laws against persons with disabilities can be filed.�� As a result, the PWD Desk was established and launched on December 7 located at the PNP Regional Office in Iloilo City.�� The LCDPFI-YVP program ��will be disseminated throughout the country and will be monitored via audio-video broadcasting, social networking like Facebook and Twitter, photo shoots and news writing.

Formulation of the “Philippine Decade of Make the Rights Real” Plan of Action 2013-2022

In preparation for the impending launch of the 3^rd Asian and the Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities and to introduce the Incheon Strategy on Disability Inclusive Development, a two-day consultation and planning workshop attended by representatives of national government agencies and civil society organizations (CSOs) was conducted in October. ��A total of 41 participants have attended, which include 25 government agencies and 16 CSO/DPO representatives.

A government delegation was also organized by the Council where representatives of agencies have attended the “High Level Intergovernmental Meeting on the Final Review of the Asian and the Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012” held in Incheon, South Korea from October 29-November 3, 2012. The delegation was headed by Undersecretary Parisya H. Taradji, Alternate �鶹��ý Chairperson and �鶹��ý together with the representatives of DepEd, DOTC, DOLE and three (3) non-government organizations, namely; KAMPI, Tahanang Walang Hagdanan and Philippine Chamber of Masseurs. As a member State of the UN Economic and Social Council of Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP), the Philippine delegation joined the majority in adopting the Incheon Strategy Framework which guides the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

In adopting this regional mandate, the �鶹��ý prepared a presidential proclamation providing 2013-2022 as the Philippine Decade of Make the Rights Real for Persons With Disabilities. Once this will be approve by the President, it wil serve as the legal basis for government agencies to translate into action the golas and targets prescribed thereof for the next decade while the National Plan of Action for the Decade is still in the process and hopefully will be finalized and completed in the first quarter of 2013.

Philippine delegation to the High Level Inter Governmental Meeting who participated in the adoption of for the Incheon Strategy on Disability Inclusive Development to prepare for the launching of the 3rd Asian and the Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013-2022, held in Incheon, Korea on October 29 – November 1, 2012 headed by DSWD Undersecretary Parisya H. Taradji, �鶹��ý Alternate Chairperson.

Attendance to the DSWD National Management Development Conference

The Council actively participated in the DSWD’s CY 2012 Mied-Year National Management Development Conference held in Koronadal, South Cotabato on June 27-30 to keep abreast with the thrusts and developments of its mother-agency, that is DSWD, to align its directions and efforts to the over-all goal of the Department.�� The NMDC served also as a venue for the Council to update its members, especially the Regional Directors for networking and collaboration various key stakeholders at the local levels to address the needs and concerns of persons with disabilities nationwide. The “Persons with Disabilities Situationer” highlighting the National Disablity Sitation and the five (5) core messages that serve as the anchor to implement the Council’s programs and plans in the future. Theese include (1) participation in government, (2) accessibility, (3) data base on persons with disabilities, (4) issuance of PWD IDs and establishment of Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAOs), and (5) rights-based approach and inclusive development.

Indeed, was a fruitful year for �鶹��ý owing to its collaborative leadership in steering societal awareness, concerns and actions in responding to the needs of persons with disabilities where it will continue to be its greatest challenge and commitment.�� Its look forward in 2013 in the furtherance of unifying the sector of persons with disabilities, capacitate them, and ensure their participation in governance to truly adhere to the precepts prescribed in the national laws and international mandates on disability.

1.��鶹��ý��Director’s Report 2010

2. �鶹��ý Director’s Report 2012