DSWD 7 SUPPORTS AUTISM-OK ADVOCACY, MORE 'ANGELS' FOR PEOPLE IN SPECTRUM
DSWD 7 SUPPORTS AUTISM-OK ADVOCACY, MORE 'ANGELS' FOR PEOPLE IN SPECTRUM
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7
continues to support the advocacy of the Autism Society Philippines called Autism-
OK, where acceptance, appreciation, and accommodation of people on the autism
spectrum is strengthened.
DSWD 7 showed its support by participating in the Angels Walk for Autism on April
21, 2024, at the SM Seaside City Cebu with a delegation composed of staff and
clients of the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC) II, a non-residential
facility for vocational rehabilitation of PWDs.
This platform is a testament to the commitment of ASP to growing advocacy and a
call to action for raising public awareness, private involvement, and inclusion of the
autism agenda in government social development initiatives.
The said walk brought Cebu’s autism community, including PWAs, their families,
learning institutions, volunteers, NGOs, socio-civic organizations, and advocates
from the public and private sectors.
This kind of autism-inclusive advocacy needs a multi-sectoral approach; thus, care
for and responsiveness to the maturing population of Filipinos on the spectrum must
be felt not only in their homes but in all places of society.
The Autism Society Philippines is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to
empowering individuals on the autism spectrum to reach their full potential and
become self-reliant, productive, independent, and socially accepted members of society. Currently, the organization is composed of over 13,000 members with 97
chapters all over the country, according to their official website.
ASP is a member of the Regional Committee on Disability Affairs or RCDA, chaired
by DSWD 7, with members from government agencies and non-government
organizations mandated to formulate policies and activities concerning PWD issues
and concerns.
While so much work still needs to be done, DSWD 7, the committee chair, hopes to
see a society with genuine concern for the sector’s welfare. Regional Director
Shalaine Marie S. Lucero, the committee chairperson, said that the Department
remains dedicated to pushing for an agenda that includes persons with autism.
“In the regular quarterly meetings of RCDA, we always include ASP to express their
concerns and how the body can collectively respond to the needs of PWAs. On top
of that, the committee constantly advocates for the anti-bullying law that protects
PWAs against discrimination, equal employment opportunity through vocational
rehabilitation in our center, and championing for visible and functional PDAOs in
LGUs. These are our commitments as ‘angels’ for those on the autism spectrum,”
she said.
DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) may extend financial
relief to individuals and families needing medical assistance.
