Clockwise from left: MCCID's Jerome Marzan and Jojo Esposa, Akap Pinoy's Daylin Taleon, Liliane Foundation Philippines' Tess Dela Cruz (writing on the board), NCDA Executive Director Geraldine Ruiz, Nova Foundation's Noli Agcaoili and Autism Society of the Philippines' Nilo Sorongon

The activity was one of the culminating workshops held since September 2008. The Australian Government aims to establish a situational analysis on how government and non-government institutions in the Philippines involved in disability issues are implementing activities to address inclusive development for programs that support Persons With Disabilities. They aim to establish a partnership program through their “Development for All” initiatives with focus on people with disabilities.

Key AusAID officials attended the affair coordinated by Ms. Bernadette Cariaga, Program Officer for Development Cooperation and Focal Person for Disability. With education for people with disabilities as its main agenda, the participants were divided into groups addressing the Philippine educational system. The groups were able to come up with situations and successful programs which answers the following questions:

1. What is working well- examples of practice that are working particularly well in certain contexts?
2. What are the factors present that are contributing to the successful examples given and
3. What are the resources- knowledge, skills, experience, financial, that we have and can make use of?
4. What need to be the future objectives in the short (3 years) to medium (5 years) term?
5. What needs to be done and actions to achieve them- the steps that need to take place, the contributors to the action, the types of resources required?

MCCID College Team joined the Alternative Learning System of Education Situational Analysis for Persons With Disabilities with members led by National Council on Disability Affairs Executive Director Geraldine Ruiz (facilitator), Liliane Foundation Philippines National Correspondent Teresa Dela Cruz, Autism Society of the Philippines Executive Director Ranilo Sorongon, Nova Foundation President Noli Agcaoili and Akap Pinoy Representative Daylin Taleon. The group was able to come up with good practices which addresses employability, self-sustaining, improvement of life, enjoyment of life and productivity. Also present in the workshop is Philippine Federation of the Deaf President Raquel Estiller-Corpuz.

Sir Jojo presents the group's output to the body.

The group was able to coin a new term replacing the Alternative Learning System. They renamed it as “ALTERNATIVE TECHNICAL/PRACTICAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES (ATPLO)“. They agreed that no skill is too high that is unachievable for PWD. Focus on individualized learning abilities of PWDs. Extend reasonable accommodation to upgrade and enhance the qualifications of PWDS as part of advocacy based on UN-CRPD.

In strategizing for ATPLO, the group was able to come up with the following:

1. Device a disability specific assessment tools to be re-adapted for PWD. Look into various skills, learning abilities. (OT, DPOs, OSHD).
2. Must form a technical working group, interdisciplinary group for PWDs in ATPLO. Recommended to TESDA, DEPED, and industry or cross-platform for approval for skills assessment. This is a work in progress.
3. Device a communication system that can be easily assimilated for training and for Human Resource companies. This is used to facilitate learning in ATPLO.
4. Localize the collaboration/networking between NGO-LGUs (case of Laguna ASP Chapter with CP, DS). Empower or devolve these enhancement courses to local Disability Peoples Organization (DPO).
5. Create safeguard measures to protect ideas and to ensure the exclusive rights to products, ideas and services for PWDs.
6. Document and promote successful ATPLO projects for replication or adaptation per LGUs, disability sectors. (Case study: SM-PFRD Coping Seminar)
7. Start ATPLO early on. Focus on transition. Select better option or opportunities, which are technical/practical in nature. Educate parents to give options from traditional education to one responsive to the child’s needs. (ATPLO caters to persons with intellectual disabilities). Campaign to parents of PWD and professionals catering to PWD for options to traditional education.
8. Consortium on best practices between, GO, NGOs, DPOs and professional associations. Encourage more stakeholdership to develop more champions for PWDs using ATPLO.

Basic Education, through support for programs under the Government of Philippines Basic Education Reform Agenda to assist the Philippines to achieve its MDG target for universal primary education. This includes support for school based management, rationalisation of teacher deployments to ensure coverage of remote schools, text book provision and school building construction. Increased support will be provided to improve access to and quality of education for children in disadvantaged and conflict affected areas.

From Left: Ms. Meikah Delid, Mr. Edward Ling, NCDA's Dandy Victa, MCCID's Jojo Esposa and Digital Filipino President Janette Toral

From Left: MCCID College of Technology Director Jojo Esposa Jr., NCDA Asst. Chief for TCD Dandy Victa and Bitstop Network Services Representative Maria Cristina Bayno

The Digital Filipino Web Awards were given last Friday, November 13 at the Hotel Intercontinental in Makati City. It was part of the Digital E-Commerce Summit, which started in Thursday.

This is the first time that the NCDA site won the award given annually by the DigitalFilipino.com Club whose members judge the nominations from the public in over 40 categories. The official site was designed by MCCID College of Technology. See related story here.

The NCDA site award was received by Mr. Dandy Victa, Assistant Chief of Technical Cooperation Division. MCCID College of Technology Training Director Jojo Esposa Jr., gave the 5-minute overview of the website. He also focused on the promotion of web accessibility.

Find more videos like this on DigitalFilipino.com Social Network

The websites were reviewed and judged “for their ability to create a noticeable presence on the Internet—their ability to be seen and heard among all the noise and clutter of the Net,” said the award body.

“The DigitalFilipino.com Web Awards aims to advocate the use of Internet and e-commerce for business development, through the identification, promotion and highlighting of best e-commerce practices from various websites in the Philippines,” it said.

Nominations were open from Sept. 19 to Oct. 19.

4th Digital Filipino Web Awards Logo

The criteria for determining the winners were:

• Search engine readiness—title tags, keywords and page strengths.

• Content/organization—clear purpose, target audience clearly defined, citation of sources whenever used, freshness, originality and accuracy of information.

• Structure and navigation—opening page, content connection and transition, writing and conventions, ease of navigation and link usefulness.

• Design and functionality—overall layout, colors, background and text.

• Technical performance—page loading, browser flexibility and live links.

• Interactivity—audience involvement and overall experience

To view the complete list of awardees, visit the Digital Filipino Web Awards Official Website.

Thailand APCD

Day 0 - Sir Edmond Guzman of MCCID College Tiaong, Quezon and Jojo in front of APCD PWD Friendly Service Bus

Day 1 - Participants and delegates in front of APCD Training Building

Day 1 - From Left: Ms. Rachmita Harahap. Deaf representative from Indonesia, Ms. Kurnia Ige, Interpreter from Indonesia, Sir Edmond and Sir Jojo

Day 2 - Mr. Reginaldo Tolentino of NCDA presents a summary of day one's activities.

Day 2 - Sir Edmond presents the summary of day one's activities.

Day 2 - Sir Jojo explains about NCDA website and web accessibility initiatives in the Philippines as part of the country report.

Day 3 - A Thai Visually Impaired resource person explains the different assistive devices used by PWDs in accessing the computer.

Day 4 - A visit at Suanlum Night Bazaar

Day 5 - Tour at Thailand's Grand Palace

Day 5 - APCD Delegates in front of Grand Palace

Day 5 - Sir Edmond behind Grand Palace

Day 6 - Bangkok's Victory Monument, a two-kilometer distance from APCD Training Center

Day 6 - Chanced meeting with local Thai Deaf congregating at McDonald's around Victory Monument

Day 7 - APCD Delegates at NECTEC

Day 7 - Thammasat University Disabled Student's Services Office

Day 8 - Joomla Training at APCD Computer Laboratory

Day 9 - Sir Edmond assists two participants from Thailand.

Day 9 - Sir Edmond using his newly purchased Acer Laptop

Day 10 - Mr. Dandy Victa of NCDA delivers his Joomla designed website.

Day 10 - Ms. Marlene Mariano of PWD Association of Makati City explains her Joomla designed website.

Day 10 - Philippine Team (From Left: Edmond Guzman, Jojo Esposa, Reggie Tolentino, Dandy Victa and Marlene Manalo)

Day 10 - Sir Edmond explains his Joomla designed website in sign language while Sir Jojo reverse interprets.

Day 10 - Ms. Wantanee of NECTEC presents web accessibility initiatives among Asian countries where Philippines gave a strong performance.

Day 10 - ICT Accessibility Initiatives in the Philippines video was presented to the delegates.

Day 10 - Delegates pose together with APCD Project Manager Ms. Kanitta Kamolwat after receiving their certificates of participation.

Day 10 - The interpreters (from left: Ms. Kurnia Igie of Indonesia, Ms. Wimol Khuntongchan of Thailand and Mr. Jojo Esposa of Philippines)

Day 11 - Inside APCD service bus (Clockwise: Dandy, Marlene, Ms. Waan from Thailand, Mr. Dara Eang of Cambodia, a lady from Thailand, Edmond, Jojo and Reggie)

Day 11 - Preparing to board Philippine Airlines to Manila

MCCID College Trainor Sir Edmond Guzman Jr. of Tiaong, Quezon and MCCID Training Director Jojo Esposa Jr. attended the ten-day Regional Workshop on Accessible Web-based Information Networking in Bangkok, Thailand sponsored by the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) from September 1 – 11, 2009.

Aside from the two, three other members from the Philippine Team include Mr. Dandy Victa and Mr. Reginaldo Tolentino of Technical Cooperation Division of the National Council on Disability Affairs and Ms. Marlene Mariano from Association of PWDs in Makati City. The team were the largest delegation.

APCD associate organizations from Asian countries like Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand also participated in the workshop. All expenses were paid by the organizers.

During the workshop, the participants were able to understand the concept of information accessibility for PWDs, UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Disability Equality, Concept Information Accessibility for PWDs, Concept of Information Networking,
Assistive Devices for Information Accessibility and Information Networking (Disability Focus).

Hands-on training on Joomla Content Management System with focus on W3C/ WAI on different disability (visual, hearing, learning, etc), Accessible Content by CMS were also conducted. Each participant was able to create their own dummy websites which were presented and evaluated by APCD and NECTEC resource persons.

Web Accessibility Initiative Results Among Asian Countries

Web Accessibility Initiative Results Among Asian Countries

One highlight of the event was the NECTEC presentation where the Philippines showed a strong performance among Asian countries and fared well even from other developed countries. This was according to a study made by the University of Worshester Faculty of Computing, UK in 2007. The study was based on the Global E-government Web Accessibility, an Empirical Examination among EU, Asian and African Sites by Ms. Joanne Kuzma.

(From Left) NCDA's Dandy Victa, MCCID's Jojo Esposa, RBI's Mayette Regala, Filmmaker Ralston Javier and APCD's Ryuhei Sano

MCCID Alumnus Gimar Aguillon prepares for interview. Gimar currently works as a web designer at Nova Management, Inc.

Sir Ervin is being interviewed by Mr. Sano.

The Asia Pacific Development Center for Disability (APCD) funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JAICA) collaborated with Filipino stakeholders to create a 15-minute documentary film about the history and development of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for Persons with Disabilities.

The Philippine counterpart is composed of the following major stakeholders:

1. National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) – representing the government;
2. Resources for the Blind, Inc. (RBI) – representing the visually impaired sector;
3. Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf (MCCID) – representing the deaf sector.

The agencies were selected based on their active participation and contribution in the establishment of accessible ICT for Persons with Disabilities. NCDA is in the forefront for disseminating information about accessible ICT by sponsoring workshops and sending delegates to international foras. RBI produces assistive devices like braille printouts and DAISY while MCCID designs websites and actively promotes web accessibility to other non-government agencies. The three were also APCD-JAICA associate members.

Other agency that participated in the documentary includes the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) where deaf encoders and MCCID alumnus Rona May Savares and Renato Moran were interviewed at their workplace in DFA Passport Division. Nova Foundation, ATRIEV School for the Blind and the Philippine Web Accessibility Group (PWAG) also took part in the documentation.

The main objective of the short film is to document the development of accessible ICT and best practices in the Philippines. It also showcases a short timeline between the implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework in 2002 outlining issues, action plans and strategies towards an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society for persons with disabilities up to the landmark Philippine contribution on Article 9 – Accessibility which formed part of the UN-Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities in 2007. The Philippines signed the treaty into law in 2008 and held a unity rally celebrating its ratification in April of the same year which MCCID is one of the participants.

The group chose to get the services of award winning filmmaker and screenwriter Ralston “Joel” Jover because of his professionalism and meticulous work detail. APCD Chief Adviser Mr. Akiie Ninomiya commended Mr. Jover’s attitude of diligently following the instructions set by the group without compromising his cinematic style. Jover’s famous films includes “Kubrador”, “Tirador”, “Manoro” and soon to be shown “Marlon” a docu-story of an 18-year old unschooled blind person.

The “Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability” (APCD) Project is a technical cooperation project between the Government of Japan and the Government of Thailand, which is started in Bangkok on 1 August 2002. The Overall goal of the project is to promote the empowerment of people with disabilities and a barrier-free society in developing countries in the Asia and Pacific Region.

The docu-film is expected to be finished and shown during the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week Celebration this July and at Disability Summit this September. SM Supermalls Committee on Disability Affairs also promised to assist in the presentation of the film in its selected activity centers. APCD will also lead the way for its international release. The short film has an English sub-title and sign language inset. It will also have Tagalog, Cebuano and Ilocano versions.

Students make 143 sign with Dir Matt Lee, Ma'am Nelia and MCCID faculty.

NCDA officials present the certificate of participation.

Students pose for photo op after the two-day workshop.

Villaflor explains about the accessibility features of the CCBC Deaf Ministry site.

Twenty four students representing the graduating batch and 22 second year class participated in the yearly seminar-workshop on Web Accessibility held last April 2 and 3 conducted by Sir Jojo I. Esposa Jr. and Sir Ervin R. Reyes at MCCID Lecture Hall.

The students will then use the lessons they acquired for the web sites that they will create this summer. They are already scheduled to design working websites for six non-government institutions and two e-commerce sites of deaf entrepreneurs.

Then last April 14, the graduating class presented their finished work to the officials and staff of National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA formerly NCWDP) led by Deputy Executive Director Mateo Lee and Technical Cooperation Center Chief Ms. Nelia De Jesus. Certificates were given to the successful participants with no less than NCDA Chairperson Mrs. Rosie Lovely Romulo attached her signature. She also paid for the snacks for all the students and NCDA staff.

After learning from the seminar-workshop attended by MCCID in 2004 at Tagaytay City, the school incorporated web accessibility on the www.mccid.edu.ph and at the same time include accessibility features in the websites that they will create for free to their selected institutions. The book “Basic Web Accessibility Guide for Filipinos” authored by Sir Jojo was the main resource material used. Selected websites that passed the evaluation of Philippine Web Accessibility Group were also presented as samples.