taking a bit of a break

...because something special is brewing. =)

Back in a few.

14.06.12 - job & skills fair for people with disabilities.

I've always wondered what the future would be like for people with disabilities and special needs in the Philippines. It's been a while since I've been back in Manila and things may have changed now but I'm praying there's more support, better facilities and equal opportunities.

Here in the UK, disabled people get decent benefits, projects and support from the government. I can only wish we have the same. It's a fairly long shot to apply most of these in the Philippines (especially when you talk about the funding benefits) but surely it's not that difficult to provide the simplest things and to implement practical policies right? Like strict protocols on specified disabled seating in all forms of public transport and areas. Or perhaps minibuses for people on wheelchairs? Sure, they'd incur costs but I doubt they're as expensive as building skyways that cause more hassle than anything. *shrugs*

My mother forwarded me an email from a friend she met through the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines and it actually made me smile. It reminded me of one of my father's distant relatives who was disabled, which prevented him from working in the engineering industry due to health and safety constraints. He was devastated, but as he was determined to still be productive and to contribute to the betterment of society, he studied IT and landed an awesome job in the industry.

So you know, the Information and Communications Technology Office of the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is having a job & skills fair for people with disabilities (PWD). They're launching the fair on Thursday, 14th June at Cyberzone, SM City Annex in Quezon City. Click on this link, as it will give you guys more details.

Good job, DOST. Glad there's an initiative for equal opportunities for PWDs. =)