Disabled, Not Unable

By Trisha Ng of 8- Competence

Graphic by Erin Chua

PEOPLE SAY it does not matter what you look like on the outside, that what counts is the beauty within. Yet in a world where a glance at someone can change how one is treated, the saying is not how it always goes. In the bustling streets of Manila, any individual would seem like a mere speck. This is especially true for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), who, based on the 2010 Census of Population and Housing, make up 1.57% of the Philippine population. Unfortunately, general knowledge of different disabilities is sorely limited. Even in the age of information, PWDs and their experiences are not widely represented in the media. They are still largely overlooked by the government and experience deliberate and unintentional discrimination.

Thanks to advancements in technology, there are countless new devices available to provide aid to PWDs. In spite of the plentiful supply of assistive devices, the government does little to assist PWDs. Some efforts have been made, such as building ramps, PWD identification card privileges, and The Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, which focuses on improvements in employment, health, and accessibility. Though this definitely helps many, it mostly helps only those in urban areas. We see this in the proportion of employed PWDs which is relatively higher for those in urban areas in contrast to those in the rural area. Roughly half of PWDs who are capable of working are underemployed. According to the Department of Education (DepEd), 97% of children with special needs (CSN) aged 7 to 12 are not receiving proper education. Though the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons aims to ensure their employment, the lack of accessibility to proper education inhibits them from being employed in well-paying occupations. Even transportation is a huge issue for them (especially those who are visually impaired) considering that not many pedestrian crosswalks have a push button that signifies when it is safe to cross and sidewalks are often too cramped. Overall, there is still a long way to go before the Philippines can truly be deemed PWD-friendly.

These barriers are also heightened by social stigmas, which cause PWDs to seem almost alien despite being no less human than anyone else. It has been somewhat ingrained in Philippine culture to assume those with physical disabilities are frail or perpetually in need of assistance, and many people perceive those with mental illnesses as “crazy” or merely pretending to have an illness. Most Hollywood movies and other forms of media that depict disabilities only add on to these evident stereotypes. People need to understand that PWDs are not simply disabled people; they are people with a disability. Their disabilities are not what keeps them from success, rather, it is everyone else who defines them as liabilities that keeps them from success.

PWDs continuously suffer from ableism everywhere: from family, friends, co-workers, and strangers—well-meaning or not. Ableism still occurs in different forms and is evident in even the smallest gestures, tones, and actions. Small things like the lack of closed captions, questioning their authenticity, and even unsolicited advice or help can be demeaning to PWDs. The world was not built with them in mind, thereby an environment that is inherently ableist was formed. Ableism cannot be reversed overnight, but even correcting yourself and friends can make a large impact.

Just as no amount of physical characteristics can define a person, disabilities should not define PWDs. It is time to realize that they are not the ones that should change to comply and fit in with today’s standards. We are the change that is long overdue. When it all comes down to it, society is the one that is unwilling to accept people. Until then, we can be the small step forward to ensure a world where people with disabilities are able to be themselves.

References:

Buenaobra, M. T. (2011, October 27). Overcoming Disability Challenges in the Philippines. Retrieved October 08, 2020, from https://asiafoundation.org/2011/10/26/overcoming-disability-challenges-in-the-philippines/

Delizo, M. (2019, June 01). Gov't urged to uphold education rights of special needs children. Retrieved from https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/06/01/19/govt-urged-to-uphold-education-rights-of-special-needs-children

(1992, March 24). RA 7277 - Magna Carta of Disabled Persons. Retrieved from http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/research/Philippines/RA%207277%20%20Magna%20Carta%20of%20Disabled%20Persons.pdf

Mina, C. T. (n.d). Employment of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Philippines: The Case of Metro Manila and Rosario, Batangas. Retrieved from https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/ris/dps/pidsdps1313.pdf