HAPPY EASTER DAY!!!

Health Care System Access for Deaf Women Talk

 By: Ana Kristina Arce

On March 15 (2011), Executive Director Likhaan Center for Women Dr. Junice L. Demeterio-Melgar  gave Health Care System Access for Deaf Women talk at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Case Room during 5^th Women’s Week Celebration. It is her first time to see Deaf people. She hopes she gets to know more Deaf people’s needs.

Likhaan Center for Women was established in 1995. This organization advocacy aims to push for the health and rights of disadvantaged women and their communities. She has been working with a lot of community-based organizations for a long time and also working with a few women and children with disabilities.

She discussed that according to Ubido J., Huntington J. Warburton D. 2002: health staff are unaware how to communicate; few deaf women fully understand what doctors say to them; and few women use health services. These are problems in .accessibility for Deaf women.

She pointed out the importance of  breaking the lack of access in knowing common health problems of women such as communicable diseases, children’s diseases, reproductive health problems, gender-based violence, non-communicable diseases, trauma and other emergencies and mental health problems.

After the lecture, Ms. Weng Rivera, President of Filipino Deaf Women’s Health and Crisis Center (FDWHCC), shared her experiences with her deaf client* in front of the audience. Mental Health is a big problem because her deaf client probably  has Schizophrenia. She and her friend brought the deaf client to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila. The doctor checked her and gave her a prescription. It is not surprising that the medicines are very expensive. Ms. Rivera and her collegue  monitored the patient for a year. Unfortunately, her organization doesn’t have access funds to cover medicine expenses , so she referred said client to the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong City. That’s how difficult it is in accessing fund for Deaf women’s needs.

Aside from the issues, Dr. Demeterio-Melgar recommends that doctors and nurses need to learn sign language in communicating with Deaf patients. The hospitals/clinics also should hire interpreters to help in interpreting between Deaf patients and doctors. Giselle Montero, Director of School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies Center for Partnership and Development reminds the audience that the Philippines signed the United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We need several Deaf leaders who must push the law to implement health services.

*The name of the client is withheld for safety and privacy.
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Ana Arce is a BAPDST graduate. She is presently working at the Center for Institutional Communications of the DLS-CSB

Rex Bernardo chosen by the World Economic Forum as one of the Young Global Leaders for 2011

ADS alumni Rex Bernardo (a person with disability), has been chosen by the World Economic Forum as one of the Young Global Leaders for 2011.  

http://www.younggloballeaders.org/ The World Economic Forum selected 190 Young Global Leaders from 65 countries.  

 “In the Philippines, a recently selected YGL is Rex Bernardo, a multi-awarded person with disability and an advocate on the rights of persons with disabilities sector has this to say: “It is a great opportunity to advance my advocacy of inclusivity in all the sphere of society. I expect my inclusion to the YGL as a springboard to make the said advocacy more pronounced and widespread. By being able to present them in a network of change makers, the potential to make these ideas come into fruition are astounding. It would be an honour to engage my fellow leaders in a dynamic discussion to gain their support and create a network that is critical to the success of any advocacy movement.”  

 Congratulations, Rex!

Deaf Human Rights Seminar

By: Ma. Jesusa Charisma N. Nofies

The Benildean Deaf Association (BDA) conducted and led a fund raising seminar on rights of the Deaf titled “Deaf +Access = Success” last February 16, 2011 at the Augusto-Rosario Gonzales Theater on. It was a significant presentation and a knowledge sharing seminar which aims to support and empower abused Deaf women and children.

The said seminar provided the opportunity for all participants to discuss and be aware regarding PWDs and Deaf issues; on how to eliminate all forms of discrimination and abuse against women and children.

The guest speaker was Atty. Chato Olivar-Gallo, Vice Dean of DLSU College of Law Trial Lawyer for women, children and Deaf rights. She reinforced the anti-violence movement and primarily focused on the services that provide PWD, women and children protection.

She is advocating and making strategies for attaining legal access and safeguarding human rights for women, children and Deaf in the Philippines. She also highly encouraged Deaf people to express their rights, privileges and freedom.

In her lecture, she noted that there’s a law accessible to abused Deaf women and children, Republic Act 7277, also known as the Magna Carta for People with Disabilities. Punishments can be issued to those who violate this law, which include insult or ridicule, unfair judging and mistreatment of PWDs. If such is done many times, the higher degree of punishment will be granted with higher cost of penalty or longer time in jail.

Magna Carta 7277 declares “Disabled persons have the same rights as other people to take their proper place in society. They should be able to live freely and as independently as possible. This must be the concern of everyone – the family, community and all government and non-government organizations.” Atty. Chato Gallo believes that every Deaf person has the right to live in a violence-free atmosphere.

Unfortunately, many women with disabilities are up to three times more likely to be abused and at risk of being long-term victims of sexual assault, stalking, and domestic violence as any hearing women victim that occurs frequently in the small areas in other part of provinces and Manila.

I have observed that PWD or deaf women who are uneducated and ignorant are often not believed when they testify or report the abuse to the police or in the courts because of their deafness or being disabled; so these hearing think they are not good witnesses. They are ridiculed and do not have the access to provide evidence because others may not understand or listen to what the disabled victims have to say even they are telling the truth; particularly, if they have difficulty to get the assistance in communicating through an interpreter. Such maltreatment may lead to injustice and unfairness and may cause them to be more vulnerable because they feel and experience powerlessness, indifference, despair, fear and inhumanity.

I am also a Deaf. I understand how it feels to be hurt and ignored. I have empathy with my fellow Deaf people who experience these abuses and injustice. From my viewpoint, it is very important to have public awareness and advocacy campaign of the Deaf in the society to support the efforts in propagating anti-violence movements and Deaf Human Rights so everyone may know more deeply about the Deaf.

PWDs and Deaf people are human, too. We are created by God in His image so no one could ever judge the Highest Creator for putting them on earth. God will be the judge to all humanity according to each of his/her deeds. I believe that the essence of humanity between the Deaf and hearing worlds comes when we recognize the Deaf capability “It is ability that matters, not disability.”

This is also relevant to other PWDs as well and let us inform everyone that we have the right to social security and empower our human rights. It is our hope that the hearing majority will have genuine concern for us and treat us as equals with respect and dignity.

Sign language interpretation and communication are the keys to having perfect harmony between hearing and Deaf. Empowering and helping deaf people especially those who experience violence encourage them to be strong and regain high self-esteem, be united, independent and productive members of society.

We should stop the abuse, marginalizing, and discrimination against illiterate and the poor. Justice and equality must prevail among us. So let us fight for our rights and freedom to express ourselves and to speak and not lose hope because God is on our side to continue the fight forever. He will never leave nor abandon us. 
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Jesusa Nofies is a BAPDST student of DLS-CSB. She is also the lone Deaf regular staffer of the Benildean. 

Disability Advocacy

 “Much has been accomplished, but the world continues its struggle to create societies in which disabled persons enjoy the same opportunities as other members of the human family, and are viewed and treated as equal partners in the social, cultural, political and economic life of our communities.”

Kofi Annan, Beirut, Lebanon, 3 December 2001


WHAT IS DISABILITY?

The definition of disability has shifted over the past two or three decades. It used to be defined purely in medical terms as a health condition. This approach located ‘the problem of disability’ in the person with a disability and ‘the solution’ in treating the person with a disability. Now, disability is more often recognized as the interaction between a person and his or her environment, including the social, economic, legal and built environment. This understanding is endorsed by WHO and used in Australia [1].

DEFINITIONS – A DISABILITY ADVOCACY APPROACH

In an effort to promote the social model of disability – an approach that acknowledges three distinct barriers: attitudinal, institutional, and environmental, which marginalise and exclude people with impairments, it is important to understand the difference between disability and impairment. These two terms are often used interchangeably but have distinctly different meanings [2].

Impairment: “Any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure or function”[3]

Disability: Is the outcome of the interaction between a person with an impairment and the attitudinal and the environmental barriers he/she may face [2].


MODELS OF DISABILITY

Medical Model
• Views PwD as having physical problems to be cured
• PwD relegated to the passive role of patient, with medical personnel and care- professionals making many decisions
• Excessive focus on the desirability of fixing the disabled person’s impairment
• PwD become defined solely in terms of their diagnosis, as a patient with medical needs and no longer as a person with a whole range of needs.

 

 Charity Model

 

• View PwD as victims of impairment and as the beneficiaries of charity, alms, and services
• Services are designed for them and delivered to them, perhaps with the best of intentions, but with insufficient consultation
• Carers may become unacceptably powerful, making decisions about what is best for those in their care.

Social Model
• Identifies three major barriers that confront PwD:
•     Physical (exclusion from the built environment)
•     Institutional (systematic exclusion or neglect in social, legal, educational, religious, and political institutions), and
•     Attitudinal (negative valuations of disabled people by non-disabled people)
• Removing these barriers is possible and has a hugely beneficial impact, both on the lives of disabled people and on the whole community

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Source: ADDC (Australian Disability and Development Consortium) is an Australian based, international network focusing attention, expertise and action on disability issues in developing countries; building on a human rights platform for disability advocacy.

Repost: Akbayan wins 20% Discount battle vs. Mercury Drug for PWDs by AKBAYAN PARTYLIST

Akbayan wins 20% Discount battle vs. Mercury Drug for PWDs

“A very good news for Filipinos with disabilities!” Akbayan said of the latest development in the battle to realize the rights and welfare persons with disabilities (PWDs): Mercury Drug finally folded to the combined pressure of PWD groups and Akbayan Party and pledged to honor the 20% discount for PWDs’ purchases of medicine.

“Simula sa susunod na buwan, lahat ng mga kababayan nating may kapansanan ay makakakuha na ng 20% discount mula sa lahat ng outlets ng Mercury Drugstore,” Akbayan Representative Walden Bello said on Tuesday. “We commend the decision of Mercury Drug to finally comply with the law.”

Akbayan joined Rep. Arturo Robes, the Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Social Services, and members of organizations of Filipinos with disabilities in announcing the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the committee and Mercury Drug to signify the latter’s intention to reform its business practices and fully comply with the Magna Carta for PWDs. Mercury Drug management was represented by Atty. Edsel Manuel in the MOA signing.

The strongly-worded agreement ordered Mercury Drug to set up the appropriate system that would facilitate the provision of 20% discount on all medicine and medical supplies purchased by persons with disabilities within a month’s time. And to make sure that Mercury Drug does not back track on this commitment, the MOA requires Mercury Drug to provide periodic reports to the committee regarding their compliance with the law.

According to Akbayan Representative Walden Bello, thorough consultation with the various members of the sector revealed that Mercury Drug Corporation was the “biggest violator of the discount on medicines for the consumption of PWDs” that RA 9442 or the amended Magna Carta for PWDs required.

It is because of this track record that Bello issued Mercury Drug a warning:

“While we are glad that Mercury Drug finally decided to join us in ensuring the rights and welfare of PWDs, I wish to make it clear with the company’s management that we, Akbayan, our friends in the sector and our allies in Congress, will be watching very closely, and we will not hesitate to take the appropriate legal or legislative action should there be any indication that Mercury intends to abandon the agreement,” Bello said.

Bello explained that this victory has proven that the combined forces of marginalized groups and their representatives in government result in breaking the “cycle of abuse and the hegemony of the big, powerful corporations.”

“Nanindigan ang Akbayan na hindi makatarungang pagkakitaan ng isang malaking kumpanya ang mga kababayang nating may kapansanan kaya nag-file tayo ng resolution para imbestigahan ang isyu,” Bello explained. “At dahil sa ating sama-samang pakikibaka, napagtagumpayan natin ang Mercury Drug at naipanalo natin ang laban para sa murang gamot para sa mga kababayan nating may kapansanan.”

Bello also acknowledged the vital role that Lower House Committee on Social Services Chairperson Arturo Robes played in the resolution of the issue.

“Chair Robes is a very important ally in securing this victory for PWDs, he is a true defender of the rights of the weak and the marginalized,” Bello said. “He understood the injustice Filipinos with disabilities were confronted with, and he prioritized investigations into this issue. It was also because of his leadership we were able to pursue the matter and effectively pressure Mercury Drug into compliance.”

In conclusion, Bello affirmed his party’s commitment to the PWD sector.

“This is only the beginning. As our friends in the sector would agree, there’s still a lot of work to be done to turn the Magna Carta of PWDs into reality,” Bello concluded. “This well-earned victory will serve as inspiration to us in Congress to continue to fight alongside Filipinos with disabilities for their rights and welfare. Lalo nating pagtitibayin ang ating ugnayan upang patuloy tayong makapanalo ng isyu ng ating mga kababayang may kapansanan.”

Akbayan filed House Resolution 221 in August 2010, calling for an investigation into different drug stores’ refusal to provide PWDs the discount mandated by law. Through the combined efforts of the Committee, Akbayan and the members of PWDs, a concession from Mercury Drug Corporation was achieved after only 3 committee hearings.###