Deaf LET Exam Takers

Kindly answer a form on the experiences of the Deaf in taking the LET (if you have any) by clicking the link at the bottom of the article in the Pinoy Deaf matters blog.

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Dear co-advocates,

Please see link below for recent meeting with PRC seeking to propose Affirmative Action for Deaf teachers' entry into the public school system.

One of the resulting strategies from our DepEd Dialogue -- http://pinoydeaf.wordpress.com/

The PRC officials were very receptive to the proposal and future meetings are in the pipeline!

Please share with others.

Thank you.



Liza B. Martinez, Ph.D.
Director
Philippine Deaf Resource Center
27 K-7 St.
West Kamias, Q.C. 1102 Philippines
Tel 632.9218521
Mobile 0927.5288662
http://www.phildeafres.org/ / pdrc@phildeafres.org

3rd Deaf Education Weekend Seminar, Breaking the Silence: "Understanding Deaf Culture and Filipino Sign Language"

by Mackie Calbay

Following the Declaration of Undersecretary Dr. Yolanda Quijano that Signed Exact English (SEE), a manually encoded adaptation of spoken English, should be used in public and private schools, the Open Dialogue and roundtable discussion with the Department of Education proved to be productive as Secretary Luistro, Atty. Guingundo, and Atty. Tinio became supportive of Filipino Sign Language for all. The DepEd will make a statement to recognize FSL as the National Sign Language and revise the earlier policy declared by Undersecretary Quijano.

The UP EDSP 129 (Curricular Provisions for Adolescents with Sensory & Physical Disabilities Class), Philippine Deaf Resource Center and Philippine Federation of the Deaf organized and set up a seminar on Deaf culture and FSL awareness and also learn about the Deaf Education. This was through the encouragement of Dr. Therese Bustos and the leadership of Paulina Marinda, Education Representative to the University Council, to meet the Deaf Community

This seminar activity is titled “3rd Deaf Education Weekend Seminar, Breaking the Silence: Understanding Deaf Culture and Filipino Sign Language recently on October 1, 2011 (Saturday) by 8:00am to 12:00nn at Benitez Theater, UP College of Education, Roxas Avenue, UP Diliman.

Culture by Dr. Nestor Castro

Deaf Culture by Mr. Rey Lee Alfred and Ms. Rowella Tanjusay

Participants attended from different schools, organizations, UP students and graduate students, Special Education (SPED) Teachers, etc. This program activity has the following list of topics and the UP students hosted and welcomed the guest speakers as well: Culture by Dr. Nestor Castro, Deaf Culture by Mr. Rey Lee Alfred and Ms. Rowella Tanjusay, Sign languages and Sign Systems by Dr. Liza Martinez and Yvette Apurado-Bernardo with comparison sign language on videos, Hearing and Deaf Views on Deaf Education by Dr. Therese Bustos and Mr. George Lintag, Multilingual Education-Mother-Tongue Based Education by Dr. Rolando “Ricky” Nolasco and Hon. Magtanggol "Magi" Guingundo, and Language Policies in Deaf Education by Raphael “Raphy” Domingo.

Sign languages and Sign Systems by Dr. Liza Martinez and Yvette Apurado-Bernardo with comparison sign language on videos

Deaf Relay for Mr. Ka Lauro Purcil

Multilingual Education-Mother-Tongue Based Education by Dr. Rolando “Ricky” Nolasco and Hon. Magtanggol "Magi" Guingundo

After the lectures, we had an open forum and the Closing Remarks and presentation of the short film Mi Ultimo Adios by Ms. Mirana Medina. The sign and voice interpreters present were Mr. Jojo Esposa, Ms. Jerlyn-Ann Villanueva, Ms. Ma. Veronica “Nicky” Templo-Perez and Dr. Therese Bustos. The seminar ended with the acknowledgements of the interpreters and distribution of Certificates of Attendance

Hearing and Deaf Views on Deaf Education by Dr. Therese Bustos and Mr. George Lintag

Language Policies in Deaf Education by Raphael “Raphy” Domingo

Presentation of the short film Mi Ultimo Adios by Ms. Mirana Medina

UP EDSP 129 class started an endeavor to have an awareness and understanding of Deaf Culture and FSL. They are now more than willing to support and sign the House Bill Signature campaign forms. We look forward to such events in other schools and organizations for the support and access for the Deaf in the Philippines.

For Livelihoods Resource Center Club Members!

LRC Club Members!

Join us for the celebration of our very first LRC Day and get to know more friends in the economic empowerment movement!

The LRC day is a fun-packed, “open house” activity where LRC members meet together as a community of PWDs towards economic independence and career advancement.

Activities include:

• Career guidance
• Testimonial from other PWDs
• Meet & Greet with other LRC Club members
• Games & recreational activities

Venue: Livelihoods Resource Center Leonard Cheshire Disability Philippines Foundation 112 JP Rizal St., Brgy Milagrosa, Project 4, Q.C.

Date: Wednesday, October 12, 2011 @ 9am-3pm

Registration is FREE. First 20 registrants will receive a gift from the EE Programme.

For registration, call or text: The Economic Empowerment Programme at 437-5539; 421-0479; or text 0949-6566908 Look for Dexter or Bella

Bring a PWD friend along and get a chance to receive a special gift.

Note: Due to space limitation in our venue, we have a LIMITED registration slot. Hurry and register now!

The LRC is a fully accessible facility where PWDs can avail of various services that will help them in their search for employment and livelihoods opportunities such as career counseling, skills training, work placements or apprenticeships, and other support services for them to meaningfully participate in career advancement and sustainable livelihood development programs.

Filipino Sign Language session with students of Ateneo School of Medical and Public Health

The Filipino Sign Language Learning Program of SDEAS conducted an FSL session with students of Ateneo School of Medical and Public Health last October 3, 2011 at the ASMPH Campus in Ortigas. Deaf trainors who gave the session on emergency-related signs are Anabelle Salazar, Bernadette Infanta, Ferdie Vizmanos, Rey Lee, Jay Sunico, Alma Neff and Romalito Mallari. A brief orientation on Deafness and FSL was also given by John Baliza, with Joi Villareal as sign language interpreter. The activity is being held every year as part of the Otorhinolaryngology (or ENT) module of 3rd year medical students. Through this session, students are encouraged to see deafness not only from the medical perspective, but see it socioculturally as well.

Ms. Anabelle Salazar and Mr. Ferdinand Vizmanos sharing basic communication strategies involving Deaf people.

ASMPH medical students actively participate in the FSL session with the Deaf facilitators.

Members of FSLLP team teaching ASMPH students how to sign numbers.

Mr. John Xandre Baliza facilitating the Deaf 101 and FSL Orientation to 3rd year students of Ateneo School of Medicne and Public Health.

Facilitators and organizers of the ASMPH FSL Training Session: (from L-R) Ferdie Vizmanos, Jay Sunico, Romalito Mallari, Alma Neff, Bernadette Infanta, Rey Lee, Dr. Cherry Bernardo, Anabelle Salazar, and John Xandre Baliza

This is the 3rd year SDEAS has been partnering with ASMPH in conducting sessions such as this, as part of the former's advocacy for Deaf awareness and FSL recognition.

A big impact on World of Sign Language Parade and House Bills 4121 & 4631

by Mackie Calbay

There has been a great journey of unforgettable activities this wonderful day of September 12, 2011. This was the first World of Sign Language parade in our country and the Deaf community came from several provinces, Deaf schools, and organization representatives. We showed our pride and support to our very own Filipino Sign Language (FSL) together by gathering at the Ever Commonwealth to the House of Representatives with the Quezon City Policemen to watch our backs with good coverage from both ABS-CBN and GMA News.

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Students, Faculty and Staff members arrived at the North Wing Building of the House of Representatives. Congressman Teddy Casiño introduced us and guided us on a tour of the Congress and Museum. We entered the Legislative Archives and was presented with a movie of the President Chronicles in history and explained to us how a Bill becomes a Law with interpreter, Dr. Therese Bustos.

About 30 Deaf Leader Representatives from different organizations under the Philippine Federation of the Deaf, presented with Dr. Liza Martinez, Mr. Lauro Purcil, Ms. Carmen Zubiaga, Ms. Jeana Manalaysay through Interpreters, Ms. Febe Sevilla, organized by Ms. Kristine “Tine” Sabillo and Ms. Naty Natividad. Finally, everyone was glad to meet with the Speaker of the House Hon. Sonny Belmonte. Cong. Casiño and Deaf Representative leaders conducted the official turn-over to him of the 100,000 plus signature forms for House Bills 4631 (Court Interpreter for the Deaf) and 4121 (Sign language interpreter insets for TV newscasts).

The Deaf was also given the floor to open up the discussion of Sign Language issue. Raphael “Raphy” Domingo, Education Access for the Deaf Coordinator and member of Philippine Coalition – Convention on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities, explained briefly to the House Speaker that Filipino Sign Language is a completely visual language which is part of our Deaf culture. Mr. Domingo also helped him to understand that a sign language is not universal and is very diverse. The Philippine Federation of the Deaf had an International Project titled Practical dictionaries for Asian Sign Language in parallel with Hong Kong, Cambodia and Viet Nam.

Rey Lee Alfred, President of PFD, he gave him the status report on the use of Sign Language, Statement letter from Philippine Deaf Resource Center, and FSL research evidenced by PFD and PDRC. Moreover, Ms. Zubiaga asked him to request another Bill for Filipino Sign Language as National Sign Language recognized for all. She and Ms. Manalaysay also informed him regarding the concerns of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) for accessibility needs. The House Speaker confirmed to have another schedule for the roundtable upon Mr. Domingo’s request.

The Deaf community then congregated at the Plenary Session for the Judiciary budget hearing and watched the sign language interpreter through the multimedia projector show to the right of the stage. The Deaf audience really supported Cong. Casiño’s privilege speech.

Meanwhile, Cong. Casiño, Bayan Muna Partylist Representative, author of the House Bills 4121 and 4631, gave his privilege speech and pressed for the optional budget and mentioned the 1% appropriations for PWDs since the Deaf and PWDs group had been attending the Congressional Budget Hearings for the Government Agencies. He requested the Committee to let the Information and Justice bills to pass. He also explained the there must be more attention and concern for Deaf needs.

The Deaf audience gave Cong. Casiño a standing ovation and raised their hands in applause after his speech. It was indeed a great event that will make a mark in the history of not only the Deaf community but also of our country.

International Deaf Day 2011

by Mackie Calbay
Every year the International Deaf Day (IDD) is celebrated in our country, a committee organized by the Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD) and Deaf organizations (Philippine Federation of the Deaf Youth Section, Philippine Sports Federation of the Deaf, Deaf Adventure Club and Deaf Rainbow Philippines). The theme of the said celebration last September 24, 2011 is “You are Right, We have RIGHTS”. The Deaf community who joined the festivities included about 440 people from different provinces, Deaf schools, and organization representatives. IDD was also celebrated in Visayas and Mindanao.

We showed our pride and support to our very own Filipino Deaf Community together by gathering at the Mabini’s Hall, Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00p.m. There were workshops, games, bazaar, exhibit, free medicine service, gift bags for kids and a show performed by Silent Steps, Dance Ambassadors of the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

The main goal of IDD was to draw the attention of politicians, authorities and the general public to the achievements of Deaf people and the concerns of the Deaf community with the Introduction of Rey Lee Alfred, PFD President and IDD Coordinator, and the following Guest Speakers: Hon. Gunigundo, Valenzuela 2nd district, who proposed the House Bill 162 and a true supporter of the Filipino Sign Language and shared knowledge about the Mother Tongue – Multi-Lingual Education, Mr. Ka Lauro Purcil, a blind man who is very active in supporting Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) including the Deaf. He is working as chair Phil Coalition CRPD and he shared an inspirational message.

Mr. George Taylor, Manager of the Telecommunication Services Network for the Deaf, works on Video Relay Service which is a Video Phone service for Deaf Filipinos to access as Communication Bridge with the Hearing. Mr. Raphael Domingo, volunteers as Deaf Organization Adviser and Core-team Member of Philippine Coalition of Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). He shared about human rights and excerpts from CRPD and finally, Hon. Antonio Tinio, Representative, Alliance of Concerned Teachers Partylist. These messages and information were shared through interpreters Dr. Therese Bustos, Ms. Hergil Roni Abat, Kathy Taylor and Mr. Jay Lardizbal.

In addition, ABS-CBN covered the event and interviewed Hon. Gunigundo, Mr. Ka Lauro Purcil and Dr. Liza Martinez.

The World Federation of the Deaf celebrated the International Week of the Deaf from September 19-25, 2011.

The Right of the Deaf to their Language

Commentary

The right of the deaf to their language
By: Liza B. Martinez

Philippine Daily Inquirer
9:08 pm | Friday, September 16th, 2011

Department of Education officials recently announced in a forum that hearing-impaired children will continue to be taught using Signing Exact English (SEE) instead of Filipino Sign Language (FSL). They also said that the existing DepEd policy calls for “using the oral method from preparatory to Grade 2 and total communication from Grades 3 to 6 using
English and Filipino Language,” and that “SEE shall be used in all subjects taught in English.”

SEE and other manually coded systems of English are visual representations of spoken English. Natural visual languages like FSL have their own unique
syntax and use non-manual signals (of the face and body) in place of many
grammatical features of spoken and written languages.

The DepEd announcement triggered outrage from the deaf community and its
stakeholders and resulted in position papers from the Philippine
Federation of the Deaf, Philippine Deaf Resource Center, Philippine
Coalition on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,
De La Salle-College of St. Benilde: School of Deaf Education and Applied
Deaf Studies and Center for Education Access and Development, University
of the Philippines College of Education, Special Education Area,
Anthropology Department and UP Layap, and the 170+ Talaytayan MLE Inc.

To resolve the controversy, Alliance for Concerned Teachers Rep. Antonio
Tinio organized a dialogue last Sept. 12 between the DepEd and the
Filipino deaf community and its stakeholders. In that dialogue, Rep.
Magtanggol T. Gunigundo, author of House Bill No. 162 (An Act Establishing
a Multi-lingual Education and Literacy Program), read a statement of
support for FSL. He pointed out that Department of Education Order No. 74,
series of 2009, clearly states that the child’s first language should be
the medium of instruction in the early years. In the case of deaf
children, this should be FSL and not English, or SEE.

The Philippine Federation of the Deaf invoked the rights to education,
language, linguistic identity and deaf culture as stated in Art. 24 and 30
of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
It “calls on the State, through the Department of Education, to
immediately, effectively and fully: halt the violation of the rights to
language, culture, participation and self-determination of deaf Filipinos;
and institute, facilitate and promote all appropriate measures to
guarantee the full enjoyment of these rights.”

The Philippine Deaf Resource Center likewise called on the state to recognize the existence of Filipino Sign Language as a true and legitimate
visual language, citing research on its structure, socio-linguistics, and applications. It also called for the declaration of FSL as the national sign language in fulfillment of international commitments (i.e., Salamanca Statement, UNCRPD) consistent with Art. 5 of the 1997 SPED Policies and
Guidelines.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro responded by saying that priority
should be given to action-oriented measures such as mapping resources at
the regional and division levels, and crafting inclusive programs,
parallel to that of other disadvantaged sectors. He directed the formation
of a small group of deaf and hearing experts to coordinate with his office
regarding the above.

It was evident from the dialogue that the DepEd needs to situate its
understanding of communication and language in the context of empirical
research and not on its own definitions and operationalization of total
communication, and the bilingual goal for the deaf.

The following notions are also highly questionable: that the sign language
for training and certifying teachers is “formal” sign language; that the
only way to standardize sign language is to certify teachers; and that FSL
is a language that I created.

In this regard, SPED has to re-craft its programs consistent with local
policy and international commitments. To many deaf education stakeholders,
SPED officials as well as the academic teaching institutions which have
granted them their advanced degrees are seriously disconnected from
research and information and from the progressive reality that education
is a basic human right and a fundamental development goal. They need to be
able to overcome their inability, or perhaps unwillingness, to recognize
that the deaf children they once taught are now educated, experienced
adults who are speaking their mind and asserting their right to
self-determination. Rank, advanced degrees and the ability to hear cannot
supplant the legitimate human experience of the deaf community.

The SPED experience in formal education contrasts with that of the Bureau
of Alternative Learning Systems (BALS) which has actively initiated
training in learning Filipino Sign Language. Last year in February,
Director Carolina Guerrero requested the Philippine Federation of the Deaf
to hold an FSL Training for Mobile Teachers for 80 teachers from the
various regions. The BALS teachers are already using FSL including areas
in Mindanao such as Basilan.

The receptiveness and resolute action of BALS for its teachers to become
fluent FSL signers is because of an unencumbered view on the ground of the
realities of literacy and survival for many isolated, poor and rural deaf
children, youth and adults.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

9:13 pm | Friday, September 23rd, 2011

(Conclusion)

(In last week’s article, the cultural term “Deaf” was inadvertently edited as “deaf”. The two terms are distinct: “Deaf” refers to the progressive view of the community as a cultural linguistic minority, while “deaf” is solely a medical view of hearing impairment.)

It is a fact that our entire educational system is beset by tremendous problems. However, the concerns raised here must focus on language and literacy issues and not be sidetracked by these difficult circumstances. The complexities facing education of Deaf students in the Philippines are not unique. The World Federation of the Deaf, an international NGO of 130 national associations of Deaf people, founded in 1951, has consultative status with the United Nations and is represented in international groups and professional organizations, providing expert advice on Deaf issues. It calls upon national and regional/provincial governments to:

Legalize sign language and quality education for Deaf people of all ages.

Provide the resources necessary for the development of effective programs for teaching sign language and Deaf Studies to involved people, such as families and others.

Provide support for programs for Deaf people to receive training and become employed as teachers, educational professionals and members of educational teams.

Establish high standards for quality education programs and outcomes, from early childhood to professional education, for all Deaf people equal to that for all people.

Ensure that Deaf learners who may be placed in mainstream educational settings have access to the services of educated, trained and qualified sign language interpreters, other needed support services, Deaf peers and role models, and full participation in both the educative and co-curricular processes.

The overall goal is for Deaf students to become multilingual in their local communities and a globalized world. There is a need to set the right to full linguistic understanding and expression by Deaf children as the foremost priority in the learning process. This goal cannot be subverted even by objectives for literacy.

Several other recommendations are enumerated below:

1. Include a subject on Filipino Sign Language (FSL), with appropriate testing mechanisms, as early as pre-school, continuing throughout the primary level. Develop and adopt an FSL Proficiency Test for Deaf students.

2. Develop fully accessible educational materials for Deaf and Deaf-blind children, according to the principles of Universal Design.

3. Employ immediate Affirmative Action measures to bring Deaf FSL signer teachers/role models into the classroom. Plan and implement pre- and continuing in-service training on FSL at the division and regional levels. Formulate and conduct an FSL Proficiency Test to assess fluency for use in the criteria for hiring, promotion and tenure of teachers and interpreters. For classroom interpreters, additional assessments for sign and voice interpretation ability should be created.

4. Review, revise and update the 1997 Handbook on Special Education so that it: (a) uses correct, research-based definitions of critical terms such as sign language, sign system, communication, Total Communication, Universal Design and others; (b) definitively explains and prescribes the current progressive definition of the bilingual approach among Deaf children as: using sign language (i.e., Filipino Sign Language) as the language/medium of instruction, or L1, in all subjects for Deaf children with a parallel strong emphasis on teaching reading and writing of the language, or L2 / L3; (c) all changes to be instituted should be charged to mandated appropriations for PWDs in all national government agencies according to the General Appropriations Act and Presidential Proclamation 240. In addition, educational assistance as specified in RA 9442 (Amendments to the Magna Carta for PWDs) should be provided for Deaf and Deaf-blind students. Also a related/supplementary policy should be issued, anchored on DepEd Order 74-2009, consistent with international commitments, and with the appropriate modifications for visual languages.

5. Continuing activities on Deaf history, visual literature and culture should be promoted in partnership with national and local Deaf peoples’ organizations for teachers, interpreters, school staff, as well as LGUs, parents, caregivers, and the public at large to raise awareness about FSL and the culture and community of Deaf people.

6. The Professional Regulatory Commission and the Civil Service Commission must formulate specific measures to accelerate and achieve de facto equality of Deaf takers of the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET). Collaborative research specially with state universities and colleges (as mandated in RA 7277—Magna Carta for PWDs) should be promoted.

7. Finally, crafting of legislation for the legal recognition of FSL, including in education, is essential.

Dr. Liza Martinez is one of only two hearing sign linguists trained at the renowned Deaf institution, Gallaudet University (Washington, D.C.). She is the founder and director of the Philippine Deaf Resource Center. Send comments to pdrc@phildeafres.org