Antique’s PWD rights advocacy gains support from int’l group

By: Pilar S. Mabaquiao

THE initiatives in pushing for the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the province have gained support from the ASEAN University Network Disability and Public Policy (AUN-DPPnet) in coordination with University of Malaya (UM), a network of PWDs advocating for accessibility and universal design.

Fritz Enjhay Cepe, who is living with cerebral palsy and a graduate of BS Computer Engineering, is the first Antiqueño recipient of the AUN-DPPnet scholarship way back in 2016 when he finished his Masters of Multimedia (ELearning Technologies) at Multimedia University, Cyberjaya, Malaysia.

He was with two other Filipinos – Raymond Manding and Vikki Sakilayan, who are both deaf. This program is supported by AUN-DPPnet and funded by The Nippon Foundation, Inc. – Japan.

From April 29 to May 5 this year, Cepe again went back to the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with two other PWDs in the province and attended the 23rd AUN-DPPNet Accessibility and Universal Design Training Course.

With him were Diana Domingo, who has physical/orthopedic disability and Miles Preston Apostol, who is deaf. Both are working at the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) – Antique.

The capabilities and knowledge learned from the training, Cepe said, gave them competence and motivation to keep pushing for the implementation of accessibility law in the province.

Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao, Provincial Social Welfare Officer Lazaro Petinglay and other provincial officials are also all out in their support to PDAO – Antique and Provincial Council on Disability Affairs.

A budget has been appropriated every year for PDAO to support various activities such as the observance of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week slated July 17-23, accessibility audit, among others.

After his graduation in Malaysia, Cepe shared his insights on empowerment and eagerness to use his acquired knowledge and skills so he could also inspire other PWDs.

“Surviving with cerebral palsy was never easy so as with others who have disability and difficulties, but working together with the support of various sectors, government and private groups, we can share a lot in the development of our community,” he said. (PIA)