Section 4: Monitoring the Individual Human Rights Experiences of Persons with Disabilities
To monitor the human rights experiences of people with disabilities in the Philippines individual, face-to-face interviews were conducted by qualified monitors, themselves persons with disabilities, in the four major regions of the country. The fieldwork took place during the period October 30 – November 15, 2008. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed with the software NVivo 8 on the basis of a coding scheme supplied by DRPI. This scheme provides for an examination of individual life stories of persons with disabilities in terms of access to the five general human rights principles specified in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability as well as in other international human rights instruments: 1) Dignity; 2) Autonomy; 3) Participation, Inclusion and Accessibility; 4) Non-Discrimination and Equality; and 5) Respect for Difference.
4.1 Composition of the Sample
One hundred persons with different disabilities were interviewed for this study. This sample was distributed equally among the four major geographic areas of the country: Luzon, Mindanao, Visayas and the National Capital Region.
More than half (54%) of the persons interviewed for this project had a mobility impairment. Persons who are blind or have low vision made up the second largest group in the sample with 27% of the respondents, persons who are deaf or hard of hearing followed making up 9%, and persons with intellectual disabilities with 2%. Persons with other impairments (including speech impairment, amputated/missing arm, etc) accounted for 8% of the interviewees. Refer to Figure 4.1.
Figure 4.1 - Distribution of Respondents by Disability
Geographically speaking, the sample was spread out throughout the Philippines. For instance in Luzon, it covered three regions while in the Visayas it covered two regions. Five out of the six regions of Mindanao were represented in the survey.
Respondents are predominantly male (68%), at least 18 years old (mean age is 40.28 years), educated (only 10% without schooling), with job (64%), and almost evenly split between rural and urban areas. A good number of them belong to lower income class DE (43%) and middle income class C (43%). Those belonging to upper income class AB account for 7%, which is consistent with the socio-economic composition of the population. The income class of another 7% could not be determined due to incomplete information.
Figure 4.2 - Distribution of Respondents by Socio-Economic Class
In summary none of the respondents resided on the street or in makeshift shelters. Most of them lived with their families, with spouse (44%), with children (40%, mean number of children is 2.07), have their own house (56%), with concrete house (55%). 46% of them reported living in a place they considered accessible to persons with disabilities.
4.2 Discussion of Findings
4.2.1 Human Rights Experiences
The following discussion of results from the individual monitoring interviews revolves around the general principles of human rights across eight aspects or domains of the life of the respondents: 1) Privacy and Family Life; 2) Education; 3) Work; 4) Participation in Social Life; 5) Information and Communication 6) Access to Justice; 7) Income Security and Support Services; and 8) Health, Habilitation and Rehabilitation. The timeframe for reporting experiences spanned the last five years.
Privacy and Family Life
Issues related to privacy and family life were discussed by a large number of participants in this study, which denotes the importance of this domain for the well-being, dignity and rights of persons with disabilities. In most cases respondents have reported that their sense of dignity has been lifted more than it has been eroded in the context of family life. This is evidenced by a 48% incidence rate of experiences of positive dignity compared to a 26% incidence rate of negative experiences of erosion of dignity. This results in a net incidence rating (NIR) 5 of positive 22%. (see Table 4.6). These findings can be found in statements of people interviewed such as the following:
- Note #5
- A net incidence rating (NIR) is the overall rate obtained for the country across the four regions. A positive NIR indicates higher positive than negative incidence of a given human right principle, while a negative NIR indicates higher negative than positive incidence. Thus a positive NIR shows that across the four regions positive experiences in terms of realization of a particular human rights principle in a given domain of life outnumbered negative experiences, whereas a negative NIR reflects that denial, violations or abuse of that human right principle were more frequent. Zero NIR means that positive and negative incidence ratings are equal, which shows neutrality.
- Return
...My disability doesn't matter with them [my family] because I am able to perform my role as a mother and housewife. I don't have problems with my parents, my husband and with my children. Same with my in-laws...
...My parents are very proud of me. They always brought me to socials, like being with my relatives or family friends. They would introduce me and say this is our son, ________ , he is deaf. He knows how to drive and he used to act in movies, etc. They were never embarrassed about me...
...My auntie was the one who help to improve my confidence. They respect me as a normal person despite of my disability. And that was the thing that may improve my confidence...
...Yes, it's only my mother that I have. With regards to my brothers and sisters, they were respecting my birthright being the eldest. Before they act on any plan they used to consult me first asking me whether their decision was alright or can I still help them on some particular problem. That was our family...
Despite their sense of dignity respondents reported experiencing limited autonomy within the family. Indeed, Autonomy has a very low
...There were many invitations that I have turned down like the ones in Cebu and Davao because my mother would not allow me...
...When I became blind. In our house my mom didn't want me to go out because she was worried about me...
...I was forced to give up my studies to give way to my brother. I really liked to pursue my studies but could not do so. It saddened me.
Yes, I wanted to buy a scooter so bad then. But my Dad said NO! He gestured that I might get into an accident. Then I asked sometime after if it was okay in the future if I saved enough money to buy a car? And my dad said, a car is a lot safer than a motor bike or scooter. Buying a car is fine with us. Then I said, would it be okay for us to travel to the States someday? Because we have relatives there, I think. My parents said that only when I am older, have saved enough money to pay for my own expenses, then they will allow me. Even riding on a boat is okay, it's just the motor bike which they hate, sad thing is, it's the one I like most.
With regard to the rights of participation, inclusion and accessibility, the
When business improved, my family and I went to places together. They would always have me in tow. We went to Baguio, rode on a plane, traveled around...
The happiest [moment] was when my girlfriend said yes to me until we got married and have a child. We have our own house. That's the happiest experience in my life.
The finding related to the human rights principles of non-discrimination and equality also showed some regional differences, yet the overall incidence rating for the country was positive (
...Since I was a kid, they were never ashamed of me. They accepted me as I am, a person with disability. If we have visitors, they introduce me to them that I am their son, a member of the family...there's no discrimination in the family...
I'm accepted in the family...how they treat me is the same as how they treat my siblings too...
No they [my family members] don't neglect me, they care for me they also support me ...My family takes care of me.
Similarly, except for one region (Mindanao), a positive
...Oh yes, my parents, brothers and sisters understand and love me for who or what I am...
Once I've remembered a friend that he was left by his wife because of his disability. But for me, I'm lucky and blessed to have a wife who looks within the personality.
[The most satisfying thing in my life is] the support of the family and relatives. Despite the disability, they're still people who love me.
Education
Education is fundamental to open up equal opportunities for people with disabilities to enjoy their rights and freedoms, to access jobs and live a life with dignity. In the context of education, most respondents expressed having experienced situations where they felt their dignity recognized. In fact, the total
...I was one of the participants in International Skills Competition in New Delhi, India last 2003. I represented the Philippines...
... That time also, there was a parade in Davao and we were part of the procession so they saw us on TV. My classmates told me
Hey we saw you, you're really well-known huh!my teachers also and the others...sometimes there was a time of taking pictures so...in the local newspapers...my neighbor saw me there...so I could tell to myself that I'm well-known...
All of the people that I socialized in the school were very proud of me because I was one of the most active students in our class.
Nevertheless, lack of autonomy in the context of education, rather than a positive sense of self-determination, was often reported by the participants in this study (
...During my high school days I was forced to wear a fatigue uniform. I became a medical staff in college not of my own choice. During high school I couldn't march, but in my PE, my participation would be the checker of the attendance...
Overall, interviewees reported they were able to participate and felt included in educational settings (
...Instead of picking on me, my classmates were very supportive of me...
...I was given a task wherein I was very happy about, they asked me to join a choir. Yes, to me it was an accomplishment that I joined and still meet the regiments as a choir member. It was my first accomplishment ever, to be able to sing and be part of a choir. It was true, what my friends told me before that I could do this, I shouldn't give up. Even if some would underestimate my talent, I would still go on. I was very inspired.
When I got my Pre med in UST, I have to struggle to go up to 4th floor, but with the help of my schoolmates, they always gave and offered me a helping hand which I really do appreciate a lot.
Non-discrimination & equality in education however showed a negative score (
...My entire classmates thought that I was a useless person but at the end they realized that being a disabled person like me does not mean that I can't do what the other non-disabled persons can...
My course was computer programming. It was a 2-year course and I encountered discrimination in school from my classmates and professors. I just did my best to finish my studies because I want to help myself and my family.
..[D]uring exams, I have to wait until they are done because somebody has to write for me. I can write but they were concerned that they wouldn't be able to understand my handwriting...
Respect for difference within the domain of education was found to be -4%
There was a time that my classmates teased me because of my disability...
My number one barrier was when I was just a kid in elementary school that I was almost always teased by my schoolmates. I was so affected by it ...
When there was recitation in class, I would get nervous because of my speech problem.. I felt embarrassed when my classmates laughed at me.
Work
Access to work provides not only a means of economic subsistence, but also an opportunity to engage in larger social networks and gain recognition as a productive member of society. For many people with disabilities in this study, however, work-related experiences rarely offered any of these rewards. For instance, the sense of dignity in work-related contexts was not frequently reported among the participants of the study (
I applied at the DSWD and worked there from 2003-2004. My work was from Sunday through Thursday. But my earnings of P1000 plus wasn't enough. I went begging probably once a week but didn't have stay on the street all day long.
As much as I don't want to, but I just can't find another job. it's hard to beg. Sometimes I go begging on the highways. I might get hit. But most of the time, I stay in one place. But I don't really like it. If only I have a decent job
But my earnings depend on my location which earns little. Even if I'm paid the minimum, it wouldn't suffice. Because right now, we don't have electricity at home.
Similarly, experiences of autonomy in the workplace are relatively rare (
...We could not decide for ourselves. It was our handler who was making all decisions regarding our massage services. He even divided our earnings into 60-40%, 60% for him and 40% for us blind masseurs. He even required us to wear shirt with the term BLIND printed on it without consulting us...
In employment side they also won't hire disabled persons because they think that it's a hindrance that's why they also don't allowed me to participate in the programs. Maybe they think I am not able to do what they are doing and where they go, that happens sometimes
I was never able to attain my goal... I have brothers who are already made and successful. The deaf son, me, I'm special, I am still helping, assisting my father in our business. Sometimes, I secretly wish I were a hearing person so that I can start my own business. Because I know I am smart, but as a deaf businessman, it's hard to understand what the hearing say.
In the aspect of participation, inclusion, and accessibility the study shows that experiences of exclusion outnumbered those of participation and inclusion in work (
...I have many skills, like acting, driving, computer and video editing, and many more. The only obstacle is that there are no jobs available for us deaf people. Other companies wouldn't even bother to give us a glimpse...
...There was a time during my heydays when I was given a chance to act in an action movie. I was very hopeful then that the public would finally open their doors to deaf actors like me, but the reverse happened. My first obstacle then was that no script could be written for a deaf actor like me because it was their first time to cast someone like me. Second, another option they have was to get a hearing actor to play as a deaf character in the future to facilitate easy communication, and that leaves me out of the picture. There goes my dream of becoming an actor...
...Another difficulty I had then was that my co-workers don't know sign language yet so all we did was to use pen and paper or the keyboard and monitor for communication...
Discrimination and inequality in work were found to be very frequent experiences among participants in this study (
...It happened in connection with my work. Like in attending meetings, they would say that I couldn't because I was not fit to travel because of my disability. They belittled my capacity. They didn't look at what I could do...
...I was a fresh college graduate then. I experienced discrimination when I applied for a clerical position. They told me I wasn't qualified. The reason given me was my disability...
...Yes, there was a time when I was applying there was people who discriminates my physical appearance, But then I told to them that don't look on my appearance because like an ordinary person I can do what the other can...
Similarly, in the domain of work people with disabilities interviewed for this study found that there was little respect for their differences (
...Sometimes my co-workers called me putol (amputee) or pilay (lame). I know it's a joke but still it hurts...
...I got teased at so much... and I got very hurt and sometimes I even became very pissed, because I find nothing wrong with the idea that I am deaf. It's as if we're lowlife form or something. I would like to stand up to them and explain sometimes, but since they are not aware about people with disabilities so they are not totally at fault...
When I was doing on the job training (OJT) here, they always teased me, the hearing people here. They were making gestures that I was dumb. I simply ignored them and continued with the training. Every time they teased me, I am hurt deep inside but I just smile at them. I never get angry or "get pikon" when they start teasing me. There was a time I found it very tiring, smiling I mean, but I wanted them to have a different impression of me, even if I am different and deaf.
Participation in Social Life
Participation in social life refers to individuals' involvement in social and cultural activities in the context of the broader community. Many interviewees in this study reported situations related to this domain, reflecting their struggles to be fully included in society at large.
Dignity in social participation and independent living registered a low
Here are a few examples:
...Sometimes while going out to the street, when people saw me they threw money at me even though I was not asking. They just don't know that I have something to be proud of and that's my education...
If you walk on the street without hearing anything like that, it feels like you don't have disability. Otherwise, you are reminded of your disability and somehow your self-esteem goes down.
I got a lot of...sometimes other people can't accept...ahhmmm...sometimes they laugh, I can't really explain what...they.... they do.
That time we went out together then suddenly if they saw their other friends, [my friends] would tell me 'just stay there for a while ok?' So you really feel that they say 'well since you're like that it's useless if you go with us'.
[When you get mocked] you feel annoyed. Then you seem to get angry. Sometimes, you feel ashamed. You seem to look down on yourself.
The figures with respect to dignity are different than those for autonomy. Here an overall
...I have to assert my rights. It was my choice and my own will. Nobody can tell you that you cannot do that...
My decisions are what I follow... Nobody is stopping me.
... [O]ne of the organizations that I joined is about advocacy. I want to bring problems like tax for the disabled to the proper authorities. Even though sometimes the process to reaching a proper solution is long and hard we can always find a way.... That is also when I learned the philosophy of independent living, back in 2004. After I learned that philosophy, my way of thinking about people with disabilities and how the government should help these people being a vulnerable sector of the society changed.
There was once a workshop with the department of health regarding the potentials of the disabled. The workshop was to be held in the fourth floor of the building. It troubled me because the DOH is going to hold a workshop for the disabled in a place where the participants are not accessible to. During that day there is also another workshop held in the ground floor. So I took the attention of one of the DOH workers and told him that the participants on the ground floor are the people without disability and they are using a much accessible place. It was not long before their boss became aware of the situation. So eventually we were able to hold our workshop in the ground floor. I find it funny because people will not act unless you complain about it.
Participation, inclusion and accessibility were found to be important to people with disabilities in the Philippines but were not always experienced by the respondents: indeed, and while there were differences by region, the overall
The following excerpts illustrate experiences of exclusion and denial of participation that have confronted participants in this study:
...When I was buying a ticket from Philippine Airlines, I was refused a ticket because they learned that I was going to travel alone. They wanted me to travel with a companion. So I would have to spend for my guide. But my money was only good for one ticket. So I took another plane instead...
...I even experienced falling from a bus. I was just about to get off when they suddenly drove off fast in spite of the fact that I always say 'Just a moment, a blind is getting off'. The passengers shouted. But the driver and conductor didn't care. It didn't stop anymore. It just sped away...
...We have been waiting for so long to get a ride but we were unable to do so because the passengers were trying to outrun each other. If only we could board the bus, there are seats that are supposed to be reserved for people with disabilities. But still we ended up standing and the non-disabled ended up sitting...
...Ahh yes really they excluded me from joining some activities in the community , because am disabled, it hurts...
...If it were not for this project I wouldn't have any interaction with people like you. I was never informed of any activity by persons with disabilities...
...Like one time, we were strolling together.. but .they..just ignore ne... they even told me that I should find another companion...
...There are times that disability will get in the way. For example, issues of the heart. If you want to court somebody, the fear of being ridiculed because of your disability will find its way. Like it's an embarrassment to be seen with someone who has a disability. So, that could prevent you for pursuing what you want...
...The television, we hardly understand what is happening or what we are watching because there are no subtitles or what we know as close-captioning...
...They thought I don't have education because of the way I walk. I was about to buy a pair of pants that costs more than a thousand pesos. The sales lady told me that I might not be able to pay for it. In embarrassment, I retorted that even if I have disability I have a sound mind and I have plenty of money. I even showed her my money...
...I was with my brother to renew my license for notary public at the city hall. The lady in the counter was just bypassing my papers. Later on she told me that the executive judge didn't want her to accept my papers. I requested to talk with the executive judge but the lady told me that it was not possible for me to talk with the judge because I am blind. I really cried. I never renewed my license after that...
...There was a time when I call some taxi. He doesn't want me to ride because he thought that if I ride there was a discount because of my blindness...
There was a similar finding for the participants' sense of disrespect for difference, which was found to have an overall
...I had very bad experiences riding a jeep. I fell from it many times. The drivers saw that I have mobility problem but still they drove off immediately even before I totally got off. So now I always sat beside the driver so he can see me clearly. Problem is it took 1-2 hours to wait for a jeep with vacant seat infront...
...I went to a place by a tricycle all by myself. But I still have to walk after that. Since the place was new to me and I am blind, I didn't know that I was heading to an open drainage. Nobody warned me but I heard laughter while I was gasping in the stinking water. One good soul helped me out of the drainage...
...In McDonalds once, I fell in line and wrote my order on paper and that I am deaf. But the cashier kept on talking and talking to me. In disgust, I called for the Manager and told him in writing that something is wrong with your crew here. I said she knows I'm deaf but she keeps on talking. The Manager reprimanded her in front of me and that silenced her. I understand, many are not aware of the deaf culture and it's very frustrating...
...But they don't call me, they are facing to other person. For instance when I used to massage in the other house, they will say, get the blind, like that. ...I was always teased then as mute; that I was dumb.
...Also there was one incident when I went to Shangrila and lined up to buy a fruit shake. Upon reaching the counter, I typed my order in my cell phone and showed it to the cashier and told him I was deaf. Then he snickered and began mouthing stuff I didn't understand even when I told him already that I can't hear. I was trying my best to endure him but other customers saw him yet still he went on. This pissed me off and cussed at him also mouthing the one Filipino cuss word I know and walked out not buying my order. I figured he should learn his lesson and be aware that we have feelings and I was very embarrassed by what he did...
...Whenever I see adults mocking me and stuff, I definitely walked to them and yell them in writing that,
Please do not make fun of us when we are signing, you must have forgotten that we deaf are about as normal as you hearing people are.Don't you agree, that when they speak or write, that is their language and in the same respect, when we deaf sign, we express ourselves through our language. So what's so funny about that?...
Information & Communication
The way in which people with disabilities are able to get access to information and to communicate in society is important to fully participating and feeling included.
Participation, inclusion, and accessibility in the area of information and communication has a total
The following excerpts denote the kinds of barriers encountered by the participants in this study:
...I still get jealous why the hearing people can use and speak on the phone. They can enjoy watching TV and movies, as well...
...I don't have a phone I couldn't write to her, it took a long time to reach her and it was difficult because I am blind and so is she...
Those who can see have access to the books. But not the blind because there are no Braille books.
Many of the respondents felt that they were not equal to others and that they were discriminated against when they tried to communicate or find information. In fact, Non-discrimination and equality has a total
...In an internet café, as I was being helped by the attendant, she suddenly told me that they were very sorry, having a blind person as a customer was new to them. I told her not to worry since I know how to use a computer. She had so many excuses that I eventually left the place. I was not allowed to use the internet. I felt discriminated against my right because I was different...
It's difficult to study because there are not materials for the blind. For example, the Braille books. They are not available in school....
Net respect for difference in information and communication was -1% on the whole, suggesting that overall people with disabilities felt that their needs were disregarded in the planning and operation of communication and information systems, as this respondent shared:
I graduated as a Nutritionist Dietitian..[but] I did not apply for the job...because I'm highly myopic, I have difficulties in reading in what you call the diet cards which is in red card and black printed words.
Access to Justice
It is often through access to justice that rights are presumed to exist and are promoted and protected. Justice and fairness are essential to democracy and to a rights-based society.
...I initiated for the dismissal of two employees from a hospital. It was one in the morning and they made me search for some change for a peso bill. Why can't they just give the medicine and we will just pay for it later? I talked with the boss, and told them not to underestimate me because of my disability because I can file a case against them in the Ombudsman, since they are government employees. They apologized. I felt vindicated...
...now, we have our privilege discount card like a senior discount card and that's good.
When I was riding a tricycle, I cannot carry my things so I asked someone to carry it for me. ....He did so but was really very mad ...I did not let that pass and went to their president to inform him of what the tricycle driver did. I asked the president to act upon what that man did to me....With the rights of people with disabilities, I gained the strength to give action to what the tricycle driver did to me
Net participation, inclusion, and accessibility to the system of justice was found to be 1% across the four regions which again denotes that a slight majority of respondents reported feeling included and able to participate in this important area of social life. An interviewee for instance reported:
[N]ow there is a law and so I use the law to get better treatment for rides. They used to just leave us, but now they can't do that. They let persons with disabilities ride.
[Normally] the tricycles wouldn't go within the city hall premises [but] I would say to drive it closer because there's a law that allows a disable to be taken closer inside the city call. They would listen to me. ... We took action that the law should be used with the office of ADAP [and] we were given better treatment.
...Because it's not easy to accept at once if the disability was the result of an accident. I hid from the society. That's why I sued the one who gave me that treatment so they may know that there's a law that is protecting me, us with disability...
In access to justice, as in other areas of life, experiences of discrimination and inequality were found to outnumber experiences of equality for the majority of participants in this study (overall
...The guard accused me as a thief which made me think that human rights are not for us. It happened when I was eating near the restaurant. The guard told me that I was lucky to have something to eat and then told me that I was a bad guy, that I was a thief. So I complained in the police station but they said that I can't fight for my rights because I'm only a beggar. It means that I can't experience those human rights...
...I'm still waiting for the resolution of the case of my parent who was killed in 2001. (I am asking the help of anybody who can help me with regard to my parents' case. I'm not satisfied with the results. Maybe because we are deaf. We couldn't ask and tell what we wanted. They are just postponing the case...
...Two years ago I was driving and following the convoy of soldiers in our place. It was mountainous. My cousin told me to overtake the truck of the army soldiers. Because of that the soldiers beat us. I begged them to stop but they kept on beating us and they pointed their guns at me. We filed a complaint at the police station but it was not acted on probably because of my disability. I did not push hard with our complaint for fear of our safety...
Income Security and Support Services
Accessing income security and the support services necessary to address their needs are basic rights of all human beings but they gain particular relevance in the context of disability. In fact for many people with impairments access to technical devices and/or supports often require out-of-pocket expenses which places increased pressure on their often already reduced income. Since many of them lack access to a secure job, they may face increased vulnerability to situations of absolute poverty.
Data from this study has shown that in the area of income security and support services, persons with disabilities in the Philippines do not find that they are treated in way that they felt not respected in their dignity (net
...We asked help from Dept. of Social Welfare and Devt. (DSWD) but they even got mad at us...
I was embarrassed to look for help. I didn't seek them out. During Christmas they would imply sometimes that I should take advantage of the season and ask. If there are instances when they would voluntarily give gifts, I would accept. But if I have to ask, I wouldn't dare.
It [the lack of supports] really affected in my daily needs. I need money because I have a son; it affected due to I don't have earning, no one trusted me.... I really feel hurt... They just keep telling me to WAIT, and until when? Too far...
Similarly, participants felt that they lacked autonomy in access to income security and support services (net
...Because our rights are worthless for the local government. Even though I have plans they don't acknowledge it.
No one [helped me], they just told me to have a constant follow up, but it seems they don't want to help me, they always say to wait ...They just keep telling me to follow up.
(You said that you want a guide, do you have a guide now?)
My wife. But my wife can't be with me all the time because we have children...
...President Arroyo told us that she will give us livelihood program for disabled when she was still vice-president. She is now the president but still we have not received any help from her...
First of all, we need the financial support because we need to have a livelihood support but until now there's none. We have not received any help from the organization or the government yet up to now.
The government hasn't responded to our call to provide us with steady jobs. We haven't have a direct talk with the government though. We channeled it through organizations of persons with disability.
The study participants reflected their sense of discrimination and lack of equality in terms of access to income security and disability-related supports: the net
...We made a resolution with regard to our budget that the 1% from the national budget shall be divided to senior citizen and disabled person, so that we can move on but to no avail, nothing happened to that budget. According to other sources, disabled like us had no contribution to the politician, that's why...
It's difficult because I don't have a recorder. It's difficult to study the hand-outs or learning materials because they are not in braille. I need someone to read for me. And if I don't understand it, it has to be re-read for me. But if it's recorded, then I can just have it replayed. ... Now, I need a tape recorder. Otherwise, it's hard for me to study
Who reads for you?
My classmates, my friend or my father. Whoever is available. Otherwise, I couldn't study.
I need additional capital for me to be able to run my vegetable production properly
(How do you feel that you haven't received the amount that you need?)
Somehow frustrated because I thought I would received assistance. It's like I went back to being by myself and no one to support me.
Health, Habilitation & Rehabilitation
Health is considered to be one of the fundamental rights of all persons. It affects the well-being, both physical and psychological, of all persons. And both habilitation and rehabilitation have a profound impact on the on-going lives of people with disabilities.
Net ratings for health, habilitation and rehabilitation across all human rights principles indicate that negative experiences in this area were as frequent as positive ones. However, people with disabilities reported feeling discriminated against and lacking equality in the context of health, habilitation and rehabilitation programs which is a troubling result of this study (see table 4). The following excerpt from a respondent with a mobility impairment illustrates this well:
...In the year 2005 they brought me to a hospital. But we don't have money that's why they brought to the public hospital. But I was not treated there equally most of the time. They were always focused on patients with money. Also, I experienced that my papers were not accepted by the hospital...
The
Figure 4.3: Average NIR of General Principles of Human Rights per Aspect
Figure 4.4: Average NIR of General Principles of Human Rights In Independent Living and Participation
| Net Human Rights Experiences | Total |
|
Luzon | Visayas | Mindanao |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy and Family Life | 11.0 | 26.4 | 1.6 | 8.8 | 7.2 |
| Net Dignity in Privacy and Family Life | 22.0 | 44.0 | 0.0 | 24.0 | 20.0 |
| Net Autonomy in Privacy and Family Life | 5.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 20.0 | 0.0 |
| Net Participation, Inclusion & Accessibility in Privacy and Family Life | 11.0 | 16.0 | 4.0 | -4.0 | 28.0 |
| Net Non-Discrimination & Equality in Privacy and Family Life | 7.0 | 40.0 | -4.0 | 0.0 | -8.0 |
| Net Respect for Difference in Privacy and Family Life | 10.0 | 32.0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | -4.0 |
| Net Human Rights Experiences | Total |
|
Luzon | Visayas | Mindanao |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education | 0.6 | 2.4 | 0.0 | -2.4 | 2.4 |
| Net Dignity in School Life and Education | 4.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 16.0 |
| Net Autonomy in School Life & Education | -1.0 | -8.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | -4.0 |
| Net Participation, Inclusion & Accessibility in School Life & Educ. | 6.0 | 12.0 | -4.0 | -8.0 | 24.0 |
| Net Non-Discrimination & Equality in School Life & Educ. | -2.0 | 12.0 | 4.0 | -4.0 | -20.0 |
| Net Respect for Difference in School Life & Education | -4.0 | -4.0 | -4.0 | -4.0 | -4.0 |
| Net Human Rights Experiences | Total |
|
Luzon | Visayas | Mindanao |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work | -5.6 | -9.6 | -10.4 | -3.2 | 0.8 |
| Net Dignity at Work or in Labor Market | 2.0 | -4.0 | -12.0 | 4.0 | 20.0 |
| Net Autonomy at Work or in Labor Market | -2.0 | -8.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Net Participation, Inclusion & Accessibility at Work or in Labor Market | -1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.0 | -8.0 |
| Net Non-Discrimination & Equality at Work or in Labor Market | -22.0 | -28.0 | -32.0 | -20.0 | -8.0 |
| Net Respect for Difference at Work or in Labor Market | -5.0 | -8.0 | -8.0 | -4.0 | 0.0 |
| Net Human Rights Experiences | Total |
|
Luzon | Visayas | Mindanao |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Living and Participation | -17.2 | -20.8 | -16.0 | -1.6 | -30.4 |
| Net Dignity in Social Participation & Independent Living | -10.0 | 4.0 | -32.0 | 12.0 | -24.0 |
| Net Autonomy in Social Participation & Independet Living | 22.0 | -4.0 | 28.0 | 32.0 | 32.0 |
| Net Participation, Inclusion & Accessibility in Social Participation & Independent Living | -6.0 | -8.0 | 0.0 | 8.0 | -24.0 |
| Net Non-Discrimination & Equality in Social Participation & Independent Living | -54.0 | -60.0 | -56.0 | -32.0 | -68.0 |
| Net Respect for Difference in Social Participation & Independent Living | -38.0 | -36.0 | -20.0 | -28.0 | -68.0 |
| Net Human Rights Experiences | Total |
|
Luzon | Visayas | Mindanao |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information and Communication | -1.6 | -4.8 | -0.8 | 0.0 | -0.8 |
| Net Dignity in the Workings of Information & Communication Systems | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Net Autonomy in the Workings of Information & Communication Systems | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Net Participation, Inclusion & Accessibility in the Workings of Information & Communication Systems | -4.0 | -16.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Net Non-Discrimination & Equality in the Workings of Information & Communication Systems | -3.0 | -4.0 | -4.0 | 0.0 | -4.0 |
| Net Respect for Difference in the Workings of Information & Communication Systems | -1.0 | -4.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Net Human Rights Experiences | Total |
|
Luzon | Visayas | Mindanao |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access to Justice | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | -0.8 | -0.8 |
| Net Dignity in Law & System of Justice | 2.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Net Autonomy in Law & System of Justice | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Net Participation, Inclusion & Accessibility in Law & System of Justice | 1.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | -4.0 | 0.0 |
| Net Non-Discrimination & Equality in Law & System of Justice | -3.0 | -4.0 | -4.0 | 0.0 | -4.0 |
| Net Respect for Difference in Law & System of Justice | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Net Human Rights Experiences | Total |
|
Luzon | Visayas | Mindanao |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income Security and Support Services | -2.4 | -3.2 | -0.8 | 0.0 | -5.6 |
| Net Dignity related to Income Security & Support Services | -1.0 | 0.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 | -8.0 |
| Net Autonomy related to Income Sec. & Support Services | -1.0 | 0.0 | -4.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Net Participation, Inclusion & Accessibility related to Income Security & Support Services | -8.0 | -12.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | -20.0 |
| Net Non-Discrimination & Equality related to Income Security & Support Services | -3.0 | -4.0 | -8.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Net Respect for Difference related to Income Security & Support Services | 1.0 | 0.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Net Human Rights Experiences | Total |
|
Luzon | Visayas | Mindanao |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health, Habilitation and Rehabilitation | -0.4 | 0.0 | -0.8 | 0.0 | -0.8 |
| Net Dignity related to Health, Habilitation & Rehabilitation | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Net Autonomy related to Health, Habilitation &Rehabilitation | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Net Participation, Inclusion & Accessibility related to Health, Habilitation &Rehabilitation | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Net Non-Discrimination & Equality related to Health, Habilitation &Rehabilitation | -2.0 | 0.0 | -4.0 | 0.0 | -4.0 |
| Net Respect for Difference related to Health, Habilitation &Rehabilitation | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
4.2.2 Patterns of Human Rights Violations
This study showed that violations of human rights happened across all socio-economic classes although they are more prevalent in lower income classes closely followed by the middle income class.
Violations were also found to happen across all types of disability but appear prevalent among blind people and those with mobility impairments. This in part may be explained by the fact that these two types of disability were over represented in the study sample.
Across gender, it appears that female respondents are more prone to report human rights violations except in independent living and participation, and this despite the fact that female represent less than half of the interviewees. Across age categories, it appears that the younger persons with disabilities, that is, those from 18 years to 40 years, are also more likely to report human rights violations. It is possible that this is because they are more active, adventurous and sociable compared to the older ones or perhaps it is because there is more awareness of rights among younger people.
Human rights violations were found to occur both in rural as in urban areas, with no significant differences between the two.
In terms of work, respondents that are more prone to encounter human rights violations are the non-professionals particularly those working as clerks, massage personnel or service workers, and laborer or unskilled workers.
4.2.3 Responses to Abuse and Discrimination and Reasons for not Reporting
Despite the broad experience of human rights violations, only a handful (less than 15%) of respondents claimed to have reported those abuses to authorities. Reasons provided by the respondents for not reporting the abuses they experienced included the following:
-
Lack of confidence that something positive would happen to their complaint (32.4% of total reasons cited). For instance one interviewee stated:
...Even if we fight for it, we don't stand a chance...
-
Lack of accessibility or lack of knowledge on how and where to report (20.6%). A respondent explained:
I would like to complain but it's hard because I am deaf and speaking is difficult for me...
-
Fear of something or avoiding trouble (11.8%) as one interviewee put it:
...I don't want trouble...
-
and the Christian/Catholic mentality of leaving it up to God (29.4% of total reasons cited), as in the following excerpt:
...In God's perfect time I'll get hired; I can do nothing about it, If those who are able-bodied have problems, I think it's more so with a person with disability. I leave it to God. I can do nothing about it; My disability is a gift from God. He must have plans for me for giving this disability;(...) Let God judge them in the afterlife...
4.2.4 Systemic Roots of Discrimination
This study further explored the systemic roots of discrimination from the perspective of the respondents. Results show that misconceptions of people with disabilities, prevailing in the Filipino society, tend to represent them as useless, worthless human beings, unable to do anything, and a burden on others. These ideas in turn lead to the discrimination and abuse of people with disabilities, and restrain their opportunities to be educated, access an adequate job, and live a life with dignity, as many recounted:
...Some people, if they saw people with disabilities, thought that they are worthless already...
...I think they see a person with disability as someone who can do lesser things compared to a person without disability...
...My deaf friends were telling me that they were experiencing discrimination. Most of them are uneducated. Not because their parents could not send them to school, but they thought that they would be hard to teach. So they just let them stay in the house to help in household chores...
...I found it very ridiculous that some people still have that pre-historic notion that deaf people are dumb. We are not dumb, many of us can even write. It's pathetic because they really aren't aware about the deaf, who's to blame? Them, the hearing? I don't think so. I believe it's the government's fault, they have done little to advocate or disseminate information about us...
This is aggravated by lack of awareness on the usefulness, talent, skills, competence and human virtues of persons with disabilities as expressed by one of the respondents:
...I believe it's the government's fault. They have done little to advocate or disseminate information about us...
Many claimed that this situation could have been mitigated by enforcing the implementation of Magna Carta and other relevant laws on people with disabilities:
We have the laws but they are not fully implemented yet. Probably, there should be more hands so it could move forward thereby touching more people with disability and letting them know that there are laws to protect them and to uphold their rights...