English for Purposive Communication

MODULE 6-Communication for Various Purposes

ANSWER SHEET
ENABLING COLLABORATIVE ASSESSMENT:
Drafting your MAC-Proposal.
Course/Year/Section: MEB12 Date: October 15, 2023
Leader (Surname first): Rafael, Mandy Allyson B.
Members (Surname first) : Araujo de Jesus, Melania Elizabeth
: Mercado, Nayumi V.
: Delatore, Rissa Mikela R
: Rebusquillo, Hannah M.
INTRODUCTION
Background

The Republic of the Philippines is one of the earliest Southeast Asian countries to have
developed a law directed to disabled people, which is the “Magna Carta of Disabled Persons”
(Republic Act No. 7277). This law defined Persons with Disability, or PWD, as “those who have
long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various
barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society in equal basis with others.”
(Nasir, Efendi & Hussain, 2019). There are four groups based on the impairment of a person,
these are: mobility impairments (physically disabled), visual impairment, hearing impairments,
and cognitive impairment (disabilities pertaining to learning, thinking, and perception) (Laabidi et
al., 2013).

PWDs are often faced with difficulties and remain one of the many vulnerable sectors in
the community. These difficulties may be associated with public spaces, limited digital access,
transportation, and lack of job opportunities. Most PWDs belong to the unemployed sector and
finding jobs can be a complication as there are various barriers that could contribute before they
could get a job, such as low educational attainment, skill gap, and transportation.
Unemployment can be a cause for financial stability for PWDs, especially for those who live in a
marginalized community (Velasco et al., 2021; Ines, 2023). According to the employment
statistics for January 2022 by Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), out of 1.9 million working-
age Filipinos with a disability, there are only 353,000 that are a part of the workforce (Ines,
2023). Aforementioned is the issue with transportation. Philippine transportation in itself is an
obstacle even for able bodied people; met with lengthy lines and long staircases at terminals
that are packed with commuters, PWDs are at a disadvantage as these fail the accessibility and
inclusivity of public transportation (Ranada, 2023). The constant advancement of technology
provides more and more opportunities for digital accessibility for PWDs like aiding technologies
such as screen reading softwares and Braille display but it does not seem sufficient to aid the
other groups of PWDs, as it does not fully support them entirely. Hence further efforts shall be
made and arrangements need to be taken into account to accommodate the user-friendly digital
world for PWDs (Laabidi et al., 2013).

Circumstances such as these make it hard for daily functioning of PWDs as they are
often met with discrimination, inaccessibility, and excluding situations in the community that they
live in. Advocating for inclusion promotes equality and combats discrimination against a certain
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MODULE 6-Communication for Various Purposes

group of people that need to be heard. Through advocating for a space that is accessible to all
types of people opens up new opportunities for people to show their skills and talents, catering
to them the adequate resources and support they need for a better quality of life.

Rationale:

Advocating for disability and inclusivity issues is an ethical imperative. Every individual,
regardless of their abilities or disabilities, has inherent dignity and worth, and promoting
inclusivity and addressing the challenges faced by people with disabilities is a fundamental
human rights issue. The principle of any just and fair society is the inclusion and equality of all
its members. Discrimination based on disability goes against these values. By advocating for
equal transportation accessibility, we aim to ensure that people with disabilities can enjoy and
feel safe the same rights and opportunities as their nondisabled peers.

According to the World Health Organization (2023), over 1 billion people worldwide live
with some form of disability, which this substantial prevalence is the necessity of addressing the
issues and barriers that affects.The prevalence of disability, the need for a more inclusive
society, and the potential for economic progress are recognised. The advocacy is aimed at
creating a more accommodating and inclusive world for everyone, which will foster a society
where everybody's potential can be exploited and contributed to best

This advocacy aims to promote a society which includes unique perspectives and talents
of individuals with disabilities; people with disabilities have valuable insights and skills to
contribute to problem-solving, development, and creativity. By removing barriers to their
participation, we not only promote inclusivity but enhance our collective ability to innovate and
adapt to a developing world.

DISCUSSION
Multimodality

Connecting with various communication channels and media platforms is

essential to make the PWD accessibility campaign a multimodal advocacy effort. It
includes using traditional and digital media, such as television, radio, websites, social
media, and podcasts, to reach a broader and more varied audience. In addition, the
campaign should host community events, educational programs, and inclusive cultural
initiatives like exhibitions and performances, creating various approaches that engage
people through different mediums and experiences. Collaborations with organizations
and influencers, as well as accessible web content, multilingual messaging, and
feedback mechanisms, can further enhance the campaign's impact and reach.

By integrating these diverse media and communication channels, the campaign

can evolve into a multimodal advocacy effort that raises awareness and facilitates
meaningful change. This varied strategy can potentially engage a wider audience,
create emotional connections, and drive concrete actions supporting disability
accessibility, making the advocacy more dynamic and comprehensive.

These days the promotion of disability rights and inclusivity is a crucial and
ongoing struggle, posters serve as one of the powerful tools for advocacy campaigns,
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MODULE 6-Communication for Various Purposes

as they can convey messages, spark conversations, and inspire changes. It is important
to focus on the positive aspects: the abilities, talents, and potential of people with
disabilities. A message that emphasizes inclusivity, diversity, and the removal of
barriers is the main point. By defining a strong message, using effective visual design,
sharing real stories, and engaging with the community, we can create a campaign that
inspires changes, challenges societal norms, and encourages a more inclusive and
equitable world for all.

Advocacy:

The PWDs faced several challenges as they were out in the public, such as
transportation, accessibility, and inclusivity. One of the problems includes a lack of
ramps and elevators to access the vehicles or the commercial buildings they go to, and
being left out by the society. A legitimate advocacy campaign addressing PWDs’
accessibility is characterized by its clear mission: to let public spaces such as malls,
public transportation, and many more be accessible for people with disabilities. In
addition, the active involvement of individuals with disabilities in planning and execution
ensures that the upperman will hear all their concerns. Most importantly, collaboration
with the disability community with sustained dedication. It aims to bring about
substantial change, whether through policy revisions, enhanced accessibility, or shifts in
public perception while empowering individuals with disabilities to play an integral role in
shaping its goals and strategies. Such advocacy initiatives go beyond mere awareness-
raising and persistently strive to make concrete improvements in accessibility that
benefit both people with disabilities and society as a whole.

The core objective of this disability accessibility advocacy campaign is to

promote inclusivity and fairness in society. The following are the advocates' goals to
reach with this advocacy:

 To remove obstacles that impede the complete participation of individuals

with disabilities in various aspects of life. It involves advocating for
enhanced accessibility in physical spaces, digital domains, transportation,
and communication and pushing for policy changes that protect the rights
of people with disabilities and enforce accessibility standards.
 To enhance public awareness regarding the challenges faced by those
with disabilities and the importance of embracing inclusivity and
accessibility.
 To empower individuals with disabilities to engage actively in their
communities, access education, and employment opportunities, and lead
fulfilling lives, it aspires to diminish societal prejudices and discrimination,
ultimately fostering a more open and inclusive social environment.
 To create a world where individuals with disabilities can afford equal
opportunities, be treated with respect, and enjoy unimpeded participation
in society, including education, employment, and unhindered access to
public spaces and digital platforms.
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MODULE 6-Communication for Various Purposes

The campaign for disability accessibility differentiates itself from existing

advocacy efforts through its various strategies, using multiple communication channels
such as social media platforms to emphasize community involvement and to maintain a
sustained and adaptable approach. In contrast, many current advocacy initiatives use
singular methods and focus on specific aspects of accessibility. The new campaign
complements existing efforts by offering a comprehensive perspective, fostering
community engagement, and using a wider range of media and communication tools to
maximize impact.

Campaign:

As a means to attain the objectives of “Beyond Barriers: Reimagining Disability

and Inclusivity” advocacy, this campaign will be accompanied by the utilization of social
media platforms as well as partnering up with NGOs and organizations which share the
same mission with the advocators. The following are campaign proposals that align with
the aim of the advocacy with corresponding hashtags to promote them in social media:

1. #BBStories (Beyond Barriers Stories)

Platform: TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, & Podcasts

PWDs who have overcome personal obstacles because of their disability are
invited to share their stories to inspire and empower the PWD community, to
educate others who have loved ones with similar complications, and to promote
awareness to people who are unaware of the circumstances that PWDs face
everyday.

2. #SpacesForAll (Inclusive Spaces Map)

Platform: Google Maps, TikTok, & Instagram

Users are encouraged to share public spaces and recreational spots that are
accessible and inclusive to PWDs. Collaboration with influencers and bloggers
will increase the possibility of this campaign to reach the target audience. This
will also create awareness to the importance of architectural design that is
operational for everyone.

3. #WorkWithoutWalls (Inclusive Workplaces Initiative)

Platform: Ms Teams, Google Meet, Zoom, & Facebook Live

Host webinars and panel discussions with the employers and employees, which
work with more than 10% PWDs staff in their workplace, to educate them of the
benefits of implementing inclusive workplace policies. Partnering up with HR
experts and disability rights activists ensures the right approach to the audience
to maximize the effectiveness of the webinars.
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MODULE 6-Communication for Various Purposes

4. #EverySpaceCounts (Physical Spaces Enhancement)

Platform: Facebook, Instagram, & Local News Websites

Work with local architects, engineers, and organizations to upgrade public

infrastructures that contribute to making more space for the disabilities. This
includes public parks, buildings, business establishments, and recreational
facilities.

5. #CanvasForAll (Accessible Arts & Culture Fest)

Platform: Facebook Events and Live & Instagram

Collaborate with NGOs and organizations to hold an arts fest to showcase the
talents and creativity of artists with disabilities. Art exhibitions, singing and
dancing competitions, spoken poetry, and many more can be hosted. Through
Facebook Live, the event can be live-streamed to reach more engagement and
recognition from social media.

CONCLUSION
The “Beyond Barriers: Reimagining Disability and Inclusivity” advocacy aims to give people with
disabilities a chance to live in the modern world where they feel a part of and to enhance the
quality of their lives. Through the means of expanding or creating innovations in public spaces
that hinders PWDs, raising public awareness of the challenges they face and the importance of
inclusivity and accessibility to them, and finally, empowering these individuals with disabilities to
fight for their right to lead fulfilling lives and fight against societal prejudice and discrimination–a
safe and welcoming environment will be created for them.

The advocates prepared activities in relation to the advocacy’s objectives, and promotion
through social media hashtags will be utilized to raise awareness about the campaign,
encouraging active collaboration and participation among everyone in the community. By using
a multimodal approach, there is a diverse audience to be reached and educated of the
advocacy’s cause. There is an increased chance for individuals, organizations, and NGOs to
collaborate and expand the effectiveness of the campaign.

Advocating for disability and inclusivity issues is not just a moral imperative but also It is
an ethical necessity rooted in the principles of human dignity and equality. Addressing these
circumstances are essential, as they lead to discrimination, exclusion and incredulity in the
community. Every individual regardless of their abilities or disabilities, deserves dignity and
equal opportunities. This advocacy has a vision where everyone, regardless of their abilities or
disabilities, can live in harmony and thrive.
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MODULE 6-Communication for Various Purposes

REFERENCES (Follow the 7th edition of APA)

Ines, J. (2023 April 29). Still a long road ahead: PWDs struggle to join Philippine workforce.
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/persons-with-disability-struggle-philippine-
workforce/

Laabidi, M., Jemni M., Ayed L.J.B., Brahim .H.B., Jemaa A.B. (2013 October 22). Learning
technologies for people with disabilities. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksuci.2013.10.005

Nasir, M.N.A., Efendi, A.N.A.E., Hussain, R.B.M. (2019). Assessing the Situation of Disability
Research in the Philippines: An Exploratory Study.
https://www.proquest.com/openview/881a35e69a9b7338eceef5354360bde8/1.pdf?pq-
origsite=gscholar&cbl=616374

Ranada, P. (2023 August 30). How Metro Manila’s train system fails persons with disabilities.
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/how-metro-manila-train-system-fails-accessibility-
facilities-persons-disabilities/

Velasco, J.V., Obnial J.C., Pastrana A., Ang H.K., Viacrusis P.M., Lucero-Prisno, D.E. III (2021
August 18). COVID-19 and persons with disabilities in the Philippines: A policy analysis.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8501486/

Disability. (2023, March 7). World Health Organization (WHO). Retrieved October 15, 2023,
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/disability-and-health