As the nation marks the National Disability Rights Week from July 17 to 23, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), is exploring partnership with learning institutions to ensure more persons with disabilities can access education and eventually secure employment.
“We have partnership forums with state universities and colleges (SUCs) para makatulong sa researches or ano yung mga need natin na mga move for education sa ating mga persons with disabilities,” NCDA Regional Programs Coordinator Atty. Walter Jason Alava, who is also the council’s spokesperson, told reporters during the Thursday (July 17) Media Forum at the DSWD Central Office’s New Press Center in Quezon City.
The proposed collaboration, which aligns with the theme of the weeklong celebration—’Innovation for Inclusion: Building Inclusive Communities Together”—aims to bridge the gap between education and employment of persons with disabilities.
Despite the provision of Republic Act 10524 that at least 1 percent of available positions in government agencies, offices or corporations shall be reserved for persons with disabilities, there are still challenges in terms of their qualifications, according to the NCDA spokesperson.
“In terms of qualification, doon tayo nagkakaron ng challenges and gaps kasi most of our persons with disabilities ay hindi po nakapag-aral. So, doon po yung mga move natin with the current leadership of NCDA Executive Director Glenda Relova na nagkaroon kami ng mga partnership forums with SUCs and schools para matulungan tayo to augment yung kakulangan sa education,” Regional Programs Coordinator Alava said.
The NCDA is now in talks with SUCs and other educational institutions to roll out inclusive programs that will offer scholarships and other opportunities for qualified persons with disabilities.
The NCDA spokesperson said the council also links persons with disabilities to companies offering job opportunities such as Business Process Outsourcings (BPOs), courier services, and restaurants.
“With respect sa mga negosyo po na gustong mag-hire ng persons with disabilities, mayroon din tayong different job fairs na ina-allot sa kanila—with BPOs, couriers. Hindi naman tayo [namimili] kung anong klaseng disability. So long as magsubmit sila ng application nila and the company will hire them, we will help them process na makakuha sila ng job,” Atty. Alava said.
As part of the National Disability Rights Week celebration, the NCDA and its partners are organizing job fairs for persons with disabilities on July 18 in Cebu City and on July 22 in Cagayan de Oro.
The DSWD Thursday Media Forum is hosted by Strategic Communications Special Assistant to the Secretary (SAS) Raymond Robert Burgos and Director Dianne Joie Ruiz of the Digital Media Service (DMS). It is aired over the DSWD Facebook page. (YADP)