MANILA, Philippines — Question: Would you know some schools that offer vocational courses for adults with mild mental retardation? Thank you very much for your help.

Transition to work and adulthood is an ongoing issue of great importance for persons with disabilities (PWD). Although there is an increasing emphasis on early intervention programs and preschool inclusion of children with disabilities, as the child gets older, educational options become more and more limited.

The end-goal of transition programs is to promote quality of life for the PWD to promote in them a feeling of dignity, self-worth and respect, the outcomes being a sense of empowerment, independence, personal satisfaction, and community participation in the different aspects of being a valued member of our society.

Transition programs would encompass a coordinated set of outcome-oriented activities that include independent living, community adjustment, vocational training and supported employment opportunities.

Sadly, in our country, there are very few schools that offer vocational courses for adults with mild mental retardation (MR).

A long way to go

Although the law recognizes the importance of providing PWDs with training in vocational efficiency, a sustainable program has not been implemented successfully in spite of efforts made, according to Archie David, an occupational therapy expert on transition programs, and executive director of Independent Living Learning Center (ILLC).

David said there are no TESDA-accredited vocational programs specifically designed for adults with mild MR and other intellectual disabilities.

Nonetheless, the TESDA mainstream course offerings are open to all and do not discriminate against PWDs. TESDA, however, admits they lack training on how to differentiate instruction for individuals with MR. This lack of competency then becomes a limiting factor in terms of accepting PWDs into their programs.

During the 1st National Disability Summit in 2009, TESDA reported that they have limited capacity to serve the needs of PWDs, and have little knowledge of the potentials of PWDs to be trained to acquire skills for certain occupations.

Another main issue that was cited by Yolanda Bautista, special educator with extensive experience in vocational skills training, and curriculum director of The Learning Center, is the scarcity of employment opportunities available after PWDs have completed vocational training.

Options are few, but they exist

Listed below are the contact details of leading schools with comprehensive vocational programs for adults with mild MR:

1. Cupertino Center for Special Children: Mangyan Road, La Vista, Quezon City; Tel. No.: 9284115; www.cupertinocenter.com
2. Independent Living Learning Center: 575 Wack-Wack Rd., Mandaluyong City; Tel. No.: 7217405; www.illcphilippines.com
3. The Learning Center: 134 Carmelite St., Merville Park Subd., Paranaque; Tel. No.: 8284918; tlcinc75.multiply.com
4. Pasay City SPED Center: G. Galvez St., Pasay City; Tel. No.: 8318187
5. Silahis ng Kaunlaran, P. Gomez Elementary School: 1224 P. Guevarra St., Sta. Cruz, Manila; Tel. No.: 7363288

We have a long way to go in realizing the intention of the law to ensure the continuing education of PWDs and providing them with equal opportunities to live productively as valued members of our society.

What is needed is for every PWD and his family to be empowered to believe that the change begins with “me” - that proudly, although I have a disability, “I can.” Then government and civil society would most likely follow suit and more seriously address the need for vocational training and employment for PWDs among other priorities.

The author is the executive director of ALRES-PHILS., a faculty of the SPED Department of Miriam College, and an Inclusive Education Specialist. A pediatric physiotherapist and special educator, she is presently pursuing her doctorate studies majoring in Special Education at U.P. Diliman. She is a staunch advocate for children with special needs. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask our SPED specialists. Just send your queries to MByouthsection@gmail.com