Butterflies with Broken Wings: Revisiting the Status of PWDs in the Philippines
Despite the advancement and innovations happening in the world in terms of technology, transportation, infrastructure, and empowering policies, which are intended to improve the life of every breathing human in society, there seems to be a gap occurring within this revolution. The gap that we are referring to here is how this advancement is becoming more like a privilege that only a few can enjoy and leaving the vulnerable sectors behind. One of the sectors that are barely entertained by these life-changing innovations is Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). As a result, the United Nations (UN) created the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to fight this inequality and promote and protect human rights and the fundamental freedom of all PWDs (Strasbourg, 2020).
We are Right Behind You
The PWDs, in the standpoint of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as emphasized by Strasbourg (2020), comprise those who have a “long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment which may hinder their full and effective participation in the society, in terms of interaction with various barriers, on an equal basis with other people.”
One of the ways that the world acknowledges the importance of PWDs in society is through the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) every 3rd of December. The annual observance, as highlighted by the UN Programme on Disability/Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (SCRPD, n.d.), has been proclaimed in 1992, by the UN General Assembly resolution 47/3. The yearly celebration was further recognized because of the Leave No One Behind core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, presented by the UN in September 2015 during the UN Summit in New York (Council of Europe, n.d.).
“Our goal to pursue the rights of persons with disabilities is a matter of justice; and an investment in a common future.” — United Nations
The 2022 theme for the IDPD revolves around “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world.” As elaborated by Division For Inclusive Social Development (DISD, 2022), this year’s theme is rooted in the heart of inclusive development in the aspect of employment, reducing inequality, and non-discriminatory practices.
Our country showed its support to the IDPD through Proclamation No. 1157 in 2006, signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which declares its celebration nationwide. Recently, on the official Facebook Page of the National Council on Disability Affairs, the 2022 celebration has been shared by highlighting the ceremonial bestowal of the Standard Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Materials translated into braille in selected Special Education Schools in the Philippines. Aside from that, a HUSAY Award has also been given to some outstanding athletes with disabilities.
Let’s Talk About PWDs in the Philippines
The World Health Organization (WHO, 2022) estimated that globally, there are around 1.3 billion people who experience significant disability, or 1 in every 6 people. In the Philippines, according to the 2010 Census of Population and Housing (as cited by the Department of Health, n.d.), in the 92.1 million household population, 1.443 million Filipinos have disabilities. The Proclamation No. 1157, s. 2006 may be a good indicator that the Philippines recognized the importance of equality for PWDs, but it is not always translated into action.
For us to have a bigger picture of the status of PWDs in the country, let us explore the place of PWDs in the different aspects of society, which includes education; occupation; and public spaces.
Lapis at Papel: PWDs’ Education in the Philippines
An inclusive learning environment, sufficient resources, and educators who are equipped with enough knowledge to teach learners with disabilities are just among the ingredients to provide a good and better future for Filipinos with disabilities. However, in the current setup of our education system, having an opportunity to attend school is becoming more like a privilege than a human right (Madarang, 2020). It recently found through a global survey by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), that the Philippines is ranked as the lowest in reading comprehension and second lowest in science and mathematics among 79 countries (CNN Philippines, 2019).
During the switch to online setup because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education recorded that for the 2021–2022 Academic Year (as cited by Philippine News Agency, 2021), close to 4.4 million were unable to enroll.
If this is the case for the totality of the Philippines, how much more if we specified the PWDs in the picture?
Special Education in the Philippines does exist but is inaccessible to the Filipinos who needed it the most. As studied by Allam and Martin (2021), teachers who are assigned to teach learners with disabilities admitted that they are not properly equipped with the skills and knowledge to cater to the needs of the learners. They do not usually receive special education training, which is further worsened by the lack of facilities, learning materials, and curriculum guides that may help them improve the learning environment. It all boils down to funds being dedicated to Special Education and the policies governing the improvement of PWDs’ Education.
The pandemic and the sudden implementation of online learning become more disadvantageous not only for educators but also for PWDs students. In the study of Dianato et al. (2022), they found that online learning further worsens the status of PWDs both mentally and physically. This encapsulates the spread of social exclusion, difficulty in communication during class, and lack of assistive technologies and internet connection. In relation to that, having a positive mindset and sense of responsibility is what keeps the PWDs students’ life rolling.
However, is having a “resilient” attitude our long-term solution?
Despite all these unfortunate realities that we have in our education system, the hope for a better learning environment for PWDs is once again appearing after the recent signing of the Inclusive Education Act of 2022 or Republic Act No. 11650.
The law, as explained by Matalog (2022), mandates the identification of students with special needs nationwide, and for cities and municipalities to have at least one Inclusive Learning Resource Center (ILRC). This is in order to serve them with free basic and quality education. According to De Guzman (2022), a disability rights advocate, the newly signed law has the power to change the life of all PWDs in the country and he hopes for its proper implementation. As someone who struggles to pursue quality education, De Guzman wishes that his battle with inequality in the past would remain in the past and not become the future of his fellow PWDs.
They say that education is a powerful weapon that can change everyone’s life. If this is the case, we hope that this weapon should be given to all, not only to those who can afford it.
Looking For: Job Opportunities for Filipino PWDs
Noting that our country is already unable to fully accommodate the needs of PWDs in terms of their constitutional right to education, it is not already shocking that it has a domino effect on their chances of landing a good job. Currently, COVID-19 has left a damaging blow in our working sector leading to a high unemployment rate, and to rub salt in the wound, employers set unreasonable and discriminatory requirements making job hunting difficult and leaving PWDs behind (“High Unemployment Rate in the Philippines:8 Top Causes,” 2022).
Disability does not mean inability.
In the employment profiling study of De Luna-Narido and Tacadao (2016), it was highlighted that Filipino PWDs’ main jobs fall under the category of health associate professionals (like masseurs), elementary occupations (like manufacturing laborers, cleaners, and helpers) and clerical office clerk.
There are also plenty of laws that guarantee a place for PWDs in our working sectors such as Republic Act No. 7277, Republic Act No. 10524, and Republic Act No. 10754 to name a few. Sadly, despite the passage of these laws, in terms of implementation, it is quite lacking. As expressed by Buenaobra (2011), the economic, social, and political rights of PWDs are still not widely recognized due to discrimination, stigma, and stereotypes.
If only the laws have their fangs and not only stay on paper…
Give Them Some Space!
To continue life, even people with disabilities need to attend different public spaces to conduct their daily activities–from public transportation to establishments and roads. The question, however, is whether these public spaces are built with PWDs’ accommodation in mind. According to The Guardian (2017), many disabled citizens feel out of place in their community because of a lack of accommodation for their needs.
In our country, public transportation is far from being PWD-friendly, although efforts are being made, it is hardly felt by the public. In the illustration of Ting (2019), buses do not have enough features to assist PWDs and, other passengers barely respect assigned seats for senior citizens, pregnant women, and PWDs despite the existence of signage. This year alone, the Commission on Human Rights released a statement urging the government to uphold the right to mobility of PWDs and improve facilities after the case of a PWD struggling to climb the tall stairway at Recto Station of the Light Rail Transit-Line 2 trend in social media (Luna, 2022).
Aside from transportation, businesses and companies like malls are also encouraged to be PWD-friendly. As identified by The Guardian (2017), ensuring that elevators are working and equipped with braille for the blind and ramps with railings for support is recommended to build a healthy environment for PWDs. Besides, the government also acknowledged the importance of restructuring malls to be PWD-friendly, not only by choice but as compliance with our existing laws (Ciasico, 2018). Thankfully, many malls and other establishments comply to give a good environment to PWDs yet it is still far from being perfect.
Furthermore, the barrier of crossing roads is also among the concerns generated by the status of PWDs in public spaces. A road safe for everyone even for PWDs is what Filipinos call for our government. In the unveiling of a mural in Children’s Road Safety Park in Manila, which aims to commemorate the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims last November 20, 2022, some PWDs shared their hope that someday they can cross the roads without worrying and fearing for their life (Cayabyab, 2022).
Our country is still far from achieving PWD-friendly public spaces where everyone can enjoy their life, navigate their destination freely, and be accommodated and respected as a human with their basic human right.
Huy, Juan! Kulang ka nga ba sa Diskarte?
Filipinos are known to be resilient and sadly, the long exposure to this idea leads some to stop asking for accountability, which makes it now a tool for corruption and abuse. Now, many Filipinos believe that when people struggle, nagkukulang lang sa diskarte [They just lack in personal strategy]. Worse, PWDs encounter the same attitude from the public and are being downplayed if they ask for improvement. People often force them to be grateful instead of complaining.
We long for the day that everyone is benefitting from their basic human rights regardless of their physical, mental, and social status. The current status of PWDs’ education, opportunities in occupation, and place in public spaces are still not great in our country despite the existence of many laws governing these rights. It is still a long fight, but as long as there are voices demanding change, there is hope.
Let us not be DEAF from PWDs’ struggles.
Let us not be BLIND from PWDs’ disadvantageous position in society.
Let us not be MUTE when we are being asked to accompany them in their fight.
…they are beautiful like everyone. They just need a little help to spread their wings and fly.
REFERENCES:
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