Rethinking Programs and Services Reform for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in National Vocational Rehabilitation Center and Area Vocational Rehabilitation Centers (AVRCs)

The main purpose of the United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all PWDs, and to promote respect fortheir inherent dignity. Article 24 and Article 27 recognize the right of PWDs to education, training, work and employment on an equal basis with others. This includes the right to equal opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted in a labor market and work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible to PWDs.

To reach out to the greater number of PWDs, R.A 7277 also known as Magna Carta for Disabled Persons ensures that the vocational rehabilitation services shall benefit the PWDs in the provinces. Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) also strengthens the existing four (4) Vocational Rehabilitation Centers for non-residential PWDs namely National Vocational Rehabilitation Center (NVRC) in NCR and Area Vocational Rehabilitation Centers (AVRCs) in Regions I, VII and IX.

These centers provide comprehensive and integrated rehabilitation programs and services for the restoration and development of capacities and potentials of PWDs.

Based on the result of the Policy Study Session conducted by the Policy Development and Planning Bureau (PDPB) of the DSWD in Cavite last August 10-12, 2011, it was revealed that the present policies, programs and services for PWDs in the non-residential centers need to be improved and strengthened due to the outdated system of livelihood and skills training for employment. The courses offered at the N/AVRC’s as well as the demand for these services need to be reviewed, given the low employment opportunities of PWDs vis-à-vis a competitive industry and the lack of aftercare support and monitoring for its graduates. There is also a need to harmonize and enhance DSWD data-banking and reporting, program and project implementation and inter-bureau/agency cooperation for the PWD sector.

To support this observation, in the conference of the Foundation of These Abled Persons Inc. (FTI) together with the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), the Independent Living Center, Tahanang Walang Hagdanan and the National Federation of Cooperatives of PWDs held last June 7, 2011, issues concerning the functionality of services of the N/AVRCs were discussed. It was raised that services in the centers should be improved and developed, it was also recommended that sheltered employment should be looked into and that training for employment should fit all forms
of disabilities. Community-Based Strategy was also recommended for these facilities. Social preparation of PWDs in open-employment and social enterprise should be strengthened. It was also pointed out that LGUs do not prioritize programs and services for PWDs and the support from the Local Chief Executive (LCE) is weak. There is a need to strength the advocacy and partnership with private-enterprises regarding employment and social rehabilitation of PWDs.

Given these issues and concerns, the DSWD conducted this research study. It is important to improved and maximized the implementation of the vocational training and job placement services of these centers.