Naga’s Resource Center trains teachers for the blind

By Jason B. Neola NAGA CITY --- In a bid to identify and institutionalize strategies that are essential in the implementation of a comprehensive instruction for learners with visual impairment, the Resource Center for the Blind (RCB) of the local government unit here and its partners have conducted 2-day training for teachers who tutor to persons with visual impairment. Felix Chavez, an RCB staff and one of the training organizers, said the activity would also allow participants to develop the initiative in taking measures towards the full development of human potential, sense of dignity, and self-worth and strengthening further the respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and human diversity among visually challenged learners through inclusive education. Partnering with the Center in this specific undertaking are Persons with Disability Affairs Office, Naga City SPED Center’s Visually Impaired Dept., Physicians for Peace, JMR Foundation, Office of the Vice President, Nguyen Dinh School for the Blind, Vietnam and Pedagogy University of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The activity is in line with the Department of Education Order No. 72 series of 2009 entitled Inclusive Education as Strategy for Increasing Participation Rate of Children. RA 7277 or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability (PWDs) provides in Sec. 12, Access to Quality Education that “the State shall ensure that PWDs are provided with adequate access to quality education and ample opportunities to develop their skills. The lectures in the training are: Legal Basis of Inclusive Education: United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability, Benefits of Inclusive Education on Learners and Teachers, Overview of Visual Impairment: Total Blindness, Low Vision and MDVI, Accommodations and Adaptations for Learners with Total Blindness and Low Vision, Instructional Materials for Learners with Total Blindness and Low Vision, and Accessing Assistance through Linkages. Training facilitators are Mayor John G. Bongat, Davina Morritt, CEO of Eye Will, Inc.; Dr. William Gando, DepEd schools division supt., Jose Robredo Jr., national president of the Philippine Blind Union; Dr. Eduardo Laureles, SPED education program supervisor and Frederick Baldoza, Naga Central School II principal; Resource speakers: Edna San Jose, San Rafael Elem. Sch. Principal; Ha’ Thanh Van, Nguyen Dinh Sch. for Blind principal; Hoang Thi Nga, dean of Pedagogy University of Ho Chi Minh City; Joseph Angelo Ochoa, and School Principal Jeanette Naval, The activity was participated in by 150 public school principals, teachers, public elementary and secondary students with visual impairment and guests.