Breaking Chains: The Battle Against Ableism and the Journey to True Accessibility

Nerissa speaking to BU CSSP First Year Students

The following is Nerissa's written speech during last week's BU College of Social Sciences and Philosophy freshman orientation.  She represented the Albay Federation of PWDs (AFPWD).  Other sector leaders were also invited to speak during this program which was led by Student Council President Mr. Marck Lester Esto.  Nerissa and I missed the environment of a large university like BU, with their students showing the leadership potentials of young people who are given the right, freedom and creativity to lead fellow students.

"Looking at your faces right now, reminds me so much of my freshman year at the University of the Philippines, Diliman.  Just like BU, our campus is so big that one needs to take a jeep to get to our next class. We got to meet students from all over the Philippines, and as they say, they are the cream of the crop. And I remember, after attending my classes on the first day, upon reaching home, I cried. I cried because, I felt so tiny, so insignificant, alone and out of place.  

 

I wonder if you have ever felt OUT OF PLACE when you stepped into college or at any point in your life.  If you’ve ever felt that way, then try to imagine:

 

A deaf person attending this gathering without any sign language interpreter

A wheelchair user having to attend classes on the 2^nd floor of the building

A blind person given a set of readings that is not on Braille

A person with autism having to attend a gathering that is crowded, with loud sounds

 

If you’ve ever felt out of place, imagine a person with disability having to feel out of place every time he steps out of his home. He will have to struggle with this feeling for the rest of his life unless changes happen.  Why?  The world wasn’t built with people with disabilities in mind, and because of that, the world we live in is inherently “ableist.”

 

Ableism is the discrimination of, and social prejudice against, people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior. At its heart, ableism is rooted in the assumption that disabled people require ‘fixing’ and defines people by their disability.

 

In simple terms, sa isang ableist society, tinitingnan ang mga taong may kapansanan na mga second class citizens. Mas mababa sila sa mga taong walang kapansanan. At dahil sa aming kondisyon tila sinasabi sa amin ng mundo, “o pasensya ka na, ganito na ang nakasanayan namin, ikaw na lang ang mag-adjust.”

 

 At yan na nga ang nakasanayang gawin ng mga PWD, kami na lang ang mag-aadjust o kung hindi man namin kayanin, magkukulong na lang kami sa aming mga tahanan.

 

Yan ang kwento ng maraming PWD. In fact, sa amin sa Manito, for a long time walang SPED classes sa amin, maraming PWD ang hindi nakapag-aral, 27% sa aming database ang walang anumang formal education.  Kung nakapag-aral man sila, marami sa kanila ang nakaranas ng pangbu-bully kaya siguro  29% sa kanila ay elementarya na ang pinakamataas na educational attainment. Kung and edukasyon ay hindi accessible para sa mga PWD, paano sila makakahanap ng trabaho na tutulong sa kanilang mabuhay? Kaya maraming mga PWD lugmok sa kahirapan.

 

Nakapag-aral man sila at pahirapang nakapagtapos ng kolehiyo, dahil sa diskriminasyon, hirap na hirap naman silang makakakuha ng trabaho.  

 

Attitudinal barrier, ito ang pinakamalaking balakid na kinakaharap namin, ang diskriminasyon at walang pakialam ng ating lipunan sa mga issues na kinakaharap namin.

 

Accessibility, ito ang pinapangarap at mithiin ng mga PWD: accessible na paaralan, accessible na trabaho, accessible na mga gusali, accessible na mga daanan, accessible na transportasyon, accessible na mga babasahin, websites, accessible healthcare, accessible government funds.

 

Kung iisa-isahin ang mga mga isyu na aming kinakaharap, kulang ang isa o dalawang oras. Malayo po ang lakbayin ng ating bansa patungo sa accessibility.

 

But as a civil society organization, we are taking strides in that direction and we are resolutely committed to amplifying our sector's voice.

 

Let me share with you our journey to accessibility in Manito, Albay. These are the fruits of a collaborative endeavor, characterized by diligent effort,  perseverance in prayer, and God’s favor.

 

 A year ago, following the transition in leadership within our municipality, we started gaining access to governmental funding allocated for the sector catering to Persons with Disabilities (PWD).

 

With the encouragement of our Provincial Disability Affairs officer, we scheduled a meeting with our newly elected mayor. During our discussion with her, we were informed about the budget allocated to us by the Local Government Unit. Subsequently, we were granted the autonomy to strategize on how to best utilize the allocated funds. Following this, we presented proposals for projects and programs that catered to the specific needs of our sector.  This freedom was so empowering.  

 

Nothing about us, without us.

 

What we first did was, organize barangays, met with federation officers quarterly and made sure that needs addressed in the barangays will be brought to the federation and programs and projects initiated by the federation would be delivered to barangays.  We provided capacity training for federation officers to equip them and to help strengthen our organizations.

 

Then programs like cash for work, educational assistance and livelihood trainings followed. Last year, one barangay partnered with BU Chemical Engineering Department and conducted a training on dishwashing and fabric conditioner making. As a result, we had members who were able to start a livelihood right at their own homes.

 

Last May, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Albay, Office of the Governor, we conducted a mass psychological assessment for children exhibiting signs of learning disability.  After the assessment, we conducted Special Needs Education Training for Teachers. DepEd is now hiring an additional SPED teacher to accommodate the children assessed with special needs.

 

Last April and June, we were able to give wheelchairs to PWDs and senior citizens through our partnership with Free Wheelchair Mission, Children International, and Tiwala Kids & Communities.

 

Three days ago, in celebration of the National Disability Rights week, PWDs Got Talent was held that showcased the talents of our members, boosting their confidence, celebrating their uniqueness and inviting people to look beyond their disability.

 

Our LGU, having seen our efforts to utilize the allocated budget, this year increased our budget by 30%. More financial resources equate to an increased number of proposals, programs, and projects, consequently leading to a surge in workload. As a result, numerous barriers are gradually dismantled, paving the way towards enhanced accessibility.   

 

There is still a lot of tasks that remain to be done. But we thank God for the breakthroughs and what we have so far accomplished to make this world become more inclusive so our PWDs will not have to feel out of place anymore.

 

As future social scientists, I would like to leave you with lessons you can learn from our journey:

 

1.  For social change to happen, government offices, private agencies, NGOs, and CSOs must collaborate to address and solve the issues of our society.

 

To become an all-inclusive and accessible society we need to change the way we view disability and collaborate with the disabled community and all sectors of our society to break down barriers.

  

2. Let me share with you, my guiding principle in serving our sector.

 

PROVERBS 3:27

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”

 

Focusing on all of the world’s problems at once can be overwhelming and cause us to think we can’t make a difference. It is God’s job to place specific people in our lives that need help, and it is also his job to give us the resources to help those people. We just need to be faithful to act in those moments with what he’s given us, and we can let him take care of the rest!

 

Each of us can make a difference, no matter how small that act of kindness you will be exercising.

 

Naalala ko si Kuya Herbert, isa sa naging recipient ng wheelchair last June.  Habang ina-assemble ang kanyang wheelchair, walang tigil ang pasasalamat ni Kuya sa amin.  Sabi niya habang lumuluha, “Hindi ko lubos maisip na mayroon pa palang mga taong nagmamalasakit sa akin.”  

 

Mayroon kaming pamangkin na 9 years old, sinasama ko siya sa mga meetings at pamimigay ng wheelchair. May pag-aaral kasi na ang tao raw na maagang na-expose sa mga PWD, maaga ring nadedevelop ang compassion para sa kanila kaya yan ang isinusulong ng inclusive education.  

 

Kayo bilang mga kabataan, ano ang maaari ninyong gawin para maabot ang mga taong nasa laylayan?

 

As youth, you make up 25% of the world’s population. That is a significant and powerful number. You play a critical role in societal change.  

 

Kayo ay iskolar ng bayan. I pray that you will find it in your hearts to give back to our country.

 

Discover and pursue God’s purpose for your life.  You were not placed in a prestigious school like Bicol University to just occupy space.  God is preparing you for something bigger than yourself.  

 

“If you see something, say something.

if you see discrimination or that a person is not getting a reasonable accommodation, speak up for them, speak up with them, and stand with them as opposed to letting them stand alone.”

 

Let us all make this world a better place. One step at a time. One step at a time."