QUEZON CITY (PIA)— The Department of Education (DepEd) in partnership with government agencies and non-government organizations spearheaded the 2023 White Cane Safety Day kick-off at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Auditorium on August 1, 2023.
The celebration, themed “Puting Baston: Gabay sa MATATAG na kinabukasan, inklusibong edukasyon at pamayanan”, emphasized the significance of the white cane as a symbol of independence and empowerment for individuals with visual impairment.
In her keynote message, DepEd-Bureau of Learning Delivery, Director IV, Leila P. Areola said, “We gathered here with a unified purpose to champion the rights and aspirations of our fellow Filipinos, living with visual impairment. The white cane that symbolizes their strength and resilience is a constant reminder of their journey towards, through inclusion within our education system, within our communities, within our work places, and within the vast world of information that surrounds us.”
PIA Director-General Jose A. Torres, Jr. expressed his support for the cause during the launch.
"Ang buong hanay ng Philippine Information Agency ay tutulong upang lalo pang maitaas ang kamalayan sa buong bansa tungkol sa mga pangangailangan at adhikain ng ating mga kapatid na may kapansanan sa paningin. Makakaasa po kayo sa aktibong partisipasyon ng ahensya sa mga programa at aktibidad para sa mga susunod pang pagdiriwang ng White Cane Safety Day,” Director General Torres said.
The celebration’s highlights includes a showcase of dedicated government programs for learners and persons with visual impairment.
DepEd-Supervising Education Program Specialist Salvacion C. Olinares presented the Department’s programs in upskilling and reskilling of Special Needs Education Teachers as well as their content and pedagogy of teaching learners with visual impairment.
The celebration also featured informative discussions about the digital transformation in education and creation of accessible documents.
DepEd-Senior Education Program Specialist Allan R. Mesoga presented the accessible technologies for learners with visual impairment, while Maria Agnes Angeles of Bookshare Philippines shared the Benetech’s accessible online library for persons with print disabilities.
The 2023 White Cane Inter-Agency Committee is a collaborative effort between the DepEd, PIA, National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Resources for the Blind Inc. (RBI), Bookshare Philippines, Parents Advocates for Visually Impaired Children (PAVIC), Philippine Blind Union (PBU), Learners, persons with visual impairment and their parents, Special Education Teachers, and Education Leaders from the National Capital Region (NCR), Region III, and Region IV-A.
The 2023 White Cane Safety Campaign kick-off paves the way for more activities that aim to further promote the rights and welfare of the visually impaired.
Updates on the upcoming events will be posted at the official Bureau of Learning Delivery- Student Inclusion Division Facebook Page. (JLB/PIA-PMD)
