THE National Council on Disability Affairs has urged business establishments to provide reasonable ac-commodations to persons with disabilities (PWDs), following a reported incident involving a child with autism in Pampanga.
Lawyer Walter Alava, NCDA spokesperson, reminded establishments that accommodating PWDs is a legal obligation.
“We really want to remind all establishments that you have to be considerate and provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities because it is their right,” Alava said.
The statement came after a child with autism was reportedly asked to eat outside a popular coffee chain in a Pampanga mall due to a “no outside food” policy.
Photos of the incident went viral after being posted by a television station, prompting concerns on social media.
Alava cited Republic Act No. 7277, or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, which requires necessary and appropriate adjustments in facilities, workplaces, schedules, assistive technologies and policies to enable PWDs to fully exercise their rights.
“It is clearly stated that we should be considerate and create avenues for persons with disabilities. So, we are calling for a review of the ‘no outside food’ policy, and we will also coordinate with our different member agencies because the NCDA is a council,” he said.
Beyond policy review, Alava said the NCDA has been working with Persons with Disability Affairs Offices, private partners and other organizations to conduct disability-sensitivity training nationwide through an online learning platform.
“The NCDA created an online learning system. In that system, we have modules similar to Coursera, and part of those modules includes disability-sensitivity training,” he said.
Alava appealed to stakeholders to recognize that PWDs are active members of the community and must be treated with dignity and respect.
“I hope all stakeholders and establishments will consider that we have persons with disabilities in the community who are actively involved. I hope our establishments will be obliged to provide reasonable accommodation,” he added.
