Archive for the ‘frontpage’ Category

The Deaf were not left out.

GMANews.TV teamed up with several deaf educators to interpret the SONA into sign language for those watching the website’s livestream of the speech.

Longtime deaf interpreter Jojo Esposa, an educator from the Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf (MCCID), signed President Aquino’s speech live for the benefit of GMANews.TV’s deaf users. Having worked as an interpreter since 1992, Esposa said that this was the first time in the Philippines that the SONA has been interpreted into sign language for an online webcast.

The idea for doing a sign language interpretation of the SONA began when some members of the deaf community were offended by a phrase included in the English translation of President Aquino’s inaugural speech, explained Maria Veronica Perez, Dean of the De la Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies or DLS-CSB-SDEAS. DLS-CSB-SDEAS was one of several schools for the deaf that have partnered with GMANews.TV and other broadcast news organizations to interpret the SONA into sign language. The other schools are the Philippine Deaf Resource Center, and the MCCID College of Technology, and the Philippine School for the Deaf.

SONA translated into sign language

Law directs govt units to have offices for handicapped persons

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed into law an amendment to an existing law directing all government units to set up an office that will oversee the welfare and promote the rights of people with disability.

Republic Act 10070 directs the setting up of Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in all government units. An amendment to RA 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, it was signed last April 6.

Under the new law, a PDAO shall be created in all provinces, city and municipality to be headed by a qualified disabled person. Its responsibilities include formulating and implementing policies, plans, and program that will promote the welfare of disabled persons; ensuring the implementation of the Accessibility Law; representing the sector in meetings of local development councils and other special bodies; and gathering relevant data on the disabled persons in their localities.

The PDAO shall also disseminate information on programs and activities of disabled persons including training and employment opportunities; monitor fundraising programs and activities for the sector seek donation from local and foreign donors; and ensure that programs and policies for the promotion of the welfare of the sector are funded by both national and local government, among others.

The law also directs the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the National Council on Disability Affairs and relevant groups to review after three years the implementation of the law.

It also instructs the DWSD to ensure that annual budget is provided to fund programs and provide support for disabled persons.

RA 10070 is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3560 that was passed by the Senate on Jan. 18, and House Bill No. 1387 that was passed by the House of Representatives on Jan. 26. – KBK, GMANews.TV

The Mabalacat Association of Persons with Disability will be holding its Christmas Party for the children with special needs and member PWDs on December 19, 2009, at 1:00 P.M., at the Petals and Petals, Mabiga, Mabalacat, Pampanga.  Hearing impaired students from the different schools would be presenting their intermisison numbers.

Jimson G. Forte, of Mawaque High School SPED Class, wins First Place in the Charcoal Painting Category representing the province of Pampanga, held on July 22, 2009 at SM Pampanga on the occasion of the regional celebration of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week 2009, sponsored by the Regional Council on Disability Affairs (RCDA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-Region III)

The Association of Persons with Disabilities (APWD) is an organization of persons with disability (PWDs) in the Municipality of Mabalacat.  Our aim is to facilitate integration of disabled persons into the mainstream of society, through advocacy for and encourage respect for persons with disabilities. We are exerting all efforts to remove all social, cultural, economic, environmental and attitudinal barriers that are prejudicial to persons with disabilities. We try to realize this goal by organizing different activities and implementing different programs and projects for the benefits of our members.

APWD was organized and recognized last December 10, 2004, by the Local Government of Mabalacat, Pampanga.  The first set of officers (pioneers) were inducted into office last December 10, 2004.

The APWD is recognized by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of Pampanga (PSWDO-Pampanga) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region III.  It is also a member of Central Luzon Federation of PWDs (PWD Regional Federation) and the AKAP-Pinoy National Chapter.