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Mission to the Philippines
15-19 May 2006

The Mission participated in the "Webmasters' Interface on Accessible ICT for Persons with Disabilities' Workshop" organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP) held from 16 -18 May 2006 in Cebu City.

The objectives of the workshop were to 1) facilitate sharing of experiences and the contributions of participants in promoting accessible ICT for persons with disabilities, and assess the impact of the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao Workshops on Accessible ICT, 2) update the participants on the latest trends on Accessible ICT, 3) prepare a national action plan for 2006-2007 on how to best advocate and implement accessible ICT for persons with disabilities, 4) develop a dynamic network of accessible ICT advocates that will boost an accessible ICT for all, and 5) formulate National standards, guidelines, and policies on web accessibility.

Sixty webmasters from the 3 provinces attended the workshop. Mr. Raksak Chairanjuansakun, APCD Resource Person, provided a presentation on the "Web Accessibility Situation in the Asia and the Pacific" and "DAISY: Digital Talking Book". Ms. Nelia De Jesus, former APCD WBN participant & the NCWDP Technical Cooperation Center Chief, coordinated and supervised the workshop program. Ms. Nelia improved and supported the NCWDP website to become accessible and informative. As an outcome of the workshop, the participants declared the "Manifesto of Commitment to Provide Accessible ICT for Persons with Disabilities", and adopted the "Manila Accessible ICT Design Recommendations" as an important guideline for accessible ICT and pledged to be advocates of accessible ICT for All.

In addition to this mission, APCD monitored former APCD participants for the ICT for All and Independent Living training. Participants from the Philippines Braille Printing House, Resource for the Blind, and NCWDP were interviewed. They shared their training experiences and knowledge with colleagues, supervisors, and other related organizations including the public.

From the Independent Living training, Ms. Ruiz Geradine, Executive Director of HACI shared her knowledge with HACI IL team members. As the Executive Director of HACI, she works on 1) establishing an Independent Living Center (ILC), 2) surveying of severely disabled persons, 3) coordinating with doctors from the Philippines Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (PARM) and 4) advocating IL for Cebu City Development Council and Cebu Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons.

As an outcome of the three series of training, NCWDP in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development is planning to expand this effort to ASEAN.