A total of 76 participants attended the “Disability Equality Training for Parents and Community Workers and Training on Home Management Program for CWDs” organized and conducted by Save the Children International and Leonard Cheshire Disability Philippines Foundation Inc. (LCDPFI) held at the Audio Visual Room of Taguig City Hall last 22 November 2014.
The training aimed to educate the Parents and Community Workers from selected barangays of Pateros to handle children with different disabilities on home management program. Different speakers from academe, government, private and non-government organizations were invited to share their expertise on topics such as: Causes of Disabilities, Facilitating Speech and Language Communication, How to Handle Children with physical, hearing, visual, behavioral and learning disabilities, Responding to Issues and Concerns of Parents of CWDs/Positive Parenting and Importance of Home Management.
Ms. Marie Fe Cimafranca, LCDPFI Staff shared an overview of the KASALI Project or (IKEA Inclusive Early Childhood Care & Development Project). She briefly explained that Inclusive Education “ensures the participation of all students in schooling”. With the premise that Education is one of the primary rights of all children with or without disability, “the ECCD Project enables the education structure, systems and methodologies to meet the needs of the children”. “Gusto natin mabigyan ng oportunidad ang LAHAT, may kapansanan at walang kapansanan”, she added.
A special message was given by one of the members of the PWD Affairs Officers, PDAO Taguig City. Mr. Helario B. Supaz said that “KASALI ay nabuo para madagdagan ang kaalaman natin at para alam natin paano itrato ang ating mga anak. Patuloy natin alagaan ang mga kabataan at mga anak, sila po ay gift ng ating Panginoon. Dapat madala natin ang ating mga natutunan dito sa training sa ating sariling pamilya… taas noo nating ipagmalaki natin ang ating mga anak”
According to Ms. Ma. Ana Del Valle, these are the General Guidelines on how to deal with inappropriate behavior: Use Clear Rules, Avoid using “Stop” and “Don’t”; Use language the child understands and whenever possible, use visual cues; Be Firm and Be clear on who’s in control; Be consistent; Use appropriate rewards; Always praise positive behavior; Arrange the physical environment. She also said that “All behaviors whether appropriate or not, they occur for a reason and Always keep cool, calm and collected.”
The participants were also given an opportunity to share their experiences of having a child with disability. One of the parents said that “kahit masakit sa kalooban ko nung nalaman ko na may disability siya, kailangan ko tanggapin dahil mahal ko anak ko.” After facilitating the activity, Ms. Victoria Ramos, Vice President of ASP- Laguna Cluster, said to the group that she understands the situation of the parents because she also has a son (young adult) with disability.
Mr. Randy Calsena, NCDA staff, mentioned that Home Activities should be: Age-appropriate; Functional (usefulness); Task-oriented; Educational; and should Prevent secondary complications (muscle tightness, weakness). In addition, positions in doing the activities should be: Lying on back, Sitting or Standing. He also added, “Dapat kung mageexercise kayo sa bata make sure na hindi siya mapapahiya, kayo ang magaadjust (e.g. pasahan ng bola)”.
Certificate of Appreciation were given to all the guest speakers before the end of the training. The participants also received certificate of participation for attending the training.