QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified existing challenges and barriers experienced by persons with disabilities in accessing government services and participating in socio-economic development activities, said National Council of Disability Affairs (NCDA) Executive Director Engr. Emerito Rojas .

Among the significant challenges faced by persons with disabilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic is access to medicines, assistive devices and technology, and rehabilitation services. 

Many persons with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities lost their sources of income, aggravating their situation. 

Consequently, the health and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities are among the critical areas that should be prioritized in this time of pandemic and beyond. 

The desired outcomes of the campaign stated in the past week-long celebration of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week is for concerned government agencies to come up with short-term and long-term plans, activities, and programs on health and economic participation of persons with disabilities specifically: 

1. Data on persons with disabilities affected by COVID-19 and priority for vaccination; 
2. Enhancement of the Philippine Registry for Persons with Disability (PRPWD) system for policy and program development; 
3. Teletherapy services for children with disabilities; 
4. Implementation of Republic Act no. 10524 (requiring all government agencies to reserve 1% of their workforce to persons with disabilities and encouraging private business sector of the same) through public-private partnership; 
5. Targeting persons with disabilities in the socio-economic recovery programs of the government anchored on Executive Order No.417 or the Economic Independence Program of Persons with disabilities; and, 
6. Policy support on the provision of appropriate assistive devices and technology for persons with disabilities.

Responsive policies, programs, and services are ways to empower persons with disabilities, make them achieve their full potential, and become active contributors in nation-building. (MCG/PIA-IDPD/NCDA)