RDC asked to enforce accessibility law

CEBU - Some persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Central Visayas have asked the Regional Development Council to equalize opportunities by urging local government units, national agencies and the business sector to follow physical accessibility laws based on international standards.

Geraldine Ruiz, who represents PWDs to the RDC, said they are not being given equal opportunities in society and that it is the obligations of the country to implement international accessibility laws since Philippines is a signatory to the convention.

In the joint RDC-Regional Peace and Order Council meeting, Ruiz outlined the actual “face of disability” in the country.

Citing statistics in 2007, Ruiz said that their total population is now 8.86 million or about 10 percent of the Philippine population.

It is believed that the number of PWDs is expected to grow by four percent annually due to violence and natural disasters.

Of the 8.86 million populations PWDs, Ruiz said that 80 percent are impoverished and 98 percent of children with disabilities are not schooling.

Ruiz said they are not also having full participation in government such as in legislation and implementation of policies.

“No equal opportunities to education, employment, information, independent living and other rights because of inaccessible environment, transportation and the negative attitude of society,” Ruiz said in her presentation.

Statistics surveys gathered by various institutions such as World Health Organization, Department of Health and Census of Population and Housing do not even correlate with each other, Ruiz claimed.

“We have a lot of beautiful laws. Our accessibility law will turn 16 come February (2009) but not even 10 percent of our establishments are complying with it,” Ruiz also said.

Apart from non-implementation of the accessibility law, the law is also wrongly interpreted.

These come in the form of substandard and inaccessible ramps, low and recessed counters, comfort rooms, public phones and drinking fountains, skywalks, among others.

Ruiz also claimed that “physical environment” directly prevents them from participating in desired activities on equal terms with the majority.

She explained that the universal design is to simplify life for everyone by making products, communications, and the environment more usable by as many people possible at little or no extra cost. — Garry B. Lao/BRP   (THE FREEMAN)