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'......because he owns a dog and its a pet.' This isn't seen as discrimination in this country. It is seen to be respecting the policy of entering the mall without animals. But its not just an animal, it is a blind mans guide and access to social inclusion.
IPAD, Information for the Police in access for the Deaf is a project Pro 7 have set up which clearly isn't just one they need to cover. Disability as a whole and discrimination needs to be clearly defined and broadened. After acknowledging the 'Break the silence' project and its statistics, I simply asked if they had used the information to support their own project since sexual abuse would be raised with the police in order to get justice. She saw the two projects as a separate thing and refused to answer my question. I eventually asked that if we were to collect information from Deaf Filipinos based on the services with the police, would they use it to support their project in getting access. Her answer was 'yes, that's a very good idea, we need more Deaf Filipinos involved.'
This fascinated me, since in the two weeks I've been here, I have never seen so much passion for access and owning FSL as a language alone. The Filipinos know what they want but its getting it across to other people out there. So not only ignorance is a problem but communication. The Filipino Team Leader of ICS explained how British Deaf volunteers have been the main reason to the increase in empowerment from Filipinos. I find this really hard to see because Deaf Filipinos are naturally kinesthetic. They are do-ers but need somebody to lead them in order to get their views and opinions across.
GSVP currently provide two hours of volunteering support for Deaf Filipinos in police stations. The police do not fund for GVSP even when the charity aim to train police officers basic Deaf awareness and FSL in order to have better access. This had us question where or how GVSP get their funding. I was thinking through fundraising and events in which Deaf Filipinos would attend and contribute. So if this is the case, Deaf Filipinos fund for their own services.
There was a lot of debating between the UK volunteers and the Sgt. However evidence supports our theory.
The Philippines law states that...
Disabled persons are part of Philippine society, thus the State shall give full support to the improvement of the total well-being of disabled persons and their integration into the mainstream of society. (Section 1a of Republic Act number 7277)
So rather than leaving it to a charity led organisation; GVSP, the police, the 'law enforcers' should contribute to the issues they face with Deaf Filipinos in society. They are the people who are there first hand and recognise societies gaps and its psychological impacts on citizens. But no.....they are not GVSP, they are not politically involved, they just provide the information to support those recognised gaps.
Evidence has shown that education, political gaps in the Deaf community, social inclusion has always been recognised but the main source to results is hearing people in society who themselves recognise ignorance; therefore educate the society they are in today. Ahem.
Think education is expensive, try ignorance.....
http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/research/Philippines/RA%207277%20-%20Magna%20Carta%20of%20Disabled%20Persons.pdf
- comments
Tracey Philippa, your blogs are so well written and informative - well done for them and the work you are doing. I hope you are enjoying your trip as much as you are getting frustrated with the level of injustice. Keep 'em coming!
Mum Your blogs are fascinating. I can't wait for the next thrilling instalment. Well done sweetheart. Go get 'em!!
Christina First blog I've read so far and hungry for more! Thank you so much for letting us know what you are doing.