Magna Carta For Persons With Disabilities

I’ve been waiting forever for this.

When Republic Act 9442 amended RA 7277 (the country’s Magna Carta for Disabled Persons) last year, we thought that parents and primary caregivers of persons with diabilities (PWD) would finally be able to benefit from help from the government. The amended law not only stated the rights and privileges of PWDs; it also set forth the introduction of discounts for products and services that they need, inclusive of transportation, medical services and products, and basic commodities. For parents like us who shoulder the entire cost of our children’s education and health needs without any government (local or national) subsidy, this was truly a welcome development.

And yet, as we stand now, over a year into the signing of the amended law, we have yet to enjoy any of these benefits. That the Implementing Rules And Regulations are in the final stages of signing gives me a measure of hope. Despite the snail’s pace this law has taken, we remain optimistic that one day soon, the weakest members of our society will enjoy this law’s protection and benefits.

The following is an email update from Autism Society Philippines which I received today. I am posting it in its entirety.