QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11106)
RA No. 11106 is the “Filipino Sign Language Act.” It declares Filipino Sign Language (FSL) as the national sign language of the Philippines and the official sign language of government in all transactions involving the deaf.
It states that the State shall comply with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by promoting and ensuring full and equal enjoyment of rights of persons with disabilities, eliminating discrimination, guaranteeing accessibility, and supporting the right to expression of Filipino deaf persons.
FSL is recognized and supported as the medium of official communication in all transactions involving the deaf, and as the language of instruction of deaf education.
DepEd, CHED, TESDA, and all other national and local government agencies involved in education of the deaf.
Yes. FSL must be taught as a separate subject. Deaf learners must also be taught reading and writing of Filipino (national language), other Philippine languages, and English.
PRC and teacher education programs are directed to employ alternative assessment procedures as affirmative action measures that consider conditions, abilities, and social barriers of deaf teachers; the procedures must be language-appropriate and culture-fair.
It is intended to support inclusive education and Universal Design by making FSL a curricular or co-curricular offering in teacher education programs, as deemed appropriate.
All agencies and centers providing education to deaf students must undertake regular pre-/in-service training and evaluation of teachers, designed and taught in partnership with representatives of the Filipino deaf community.
UP, together with KWF, professional sign linguistics and linguistics researchers, in collaboration with CHED and DepEd, and the ECCD Council, must develop guidelines for training material development for use by all SUCs and their teachers and staff.
KWF must establish a national system of standards, accreditations, and procedures for FSL interpreting, including professional practice policies such as compensation rates and benefits, working conditions, and grievance procedures.
FSL is the official language of legal interpreting for the deaf in all public hearings, proceedings, and transactions of courts, quasi-judicial agencies, and other tribunals; qualified sign language interpreters must be available in all proceedings involving the deaf, though the deaf person may choose other modes of communication.
Yes. RA 11106 clarifies that it includes proceedings in police stations and before the Lupong Tagapamayapa, as well as preliminary investigations and other initial stages in courts, quasi-judicial bodies, and other tribunals.
FSL is the official language of the Filipino deaf employed in the civil service and all government workplaces; government offices must take reasonable measures to encourage its use among deaf and hearing employees, including awareness and training seminars.
State hospitals and all health facilities must ensure access of Filipino deaf to health services, including free provision of FSL interpreters and accessible materials upon request of deaf patients or their deaf family members; private health facilities are encouraged to do the same.
Within one (1) year from the effective date, KBP and MTRCB must require FSL interpreter insets compliant with television accessibility standards in news and public affairs programs; afterward, MTRCB must promote progressive use of FSL in other broadcasts, especially educational TV programs.
It requires KWF, in coordination with key government and justice education bodies and in consultation with the deaf community and relevant stakeholders, to promulgate the necessary IRR for effective implementation within 180 days after the Act’s effective date.
An Inter-Agency Council is created to make annual monitoring reports to Congress in accessible formats. Failure to comply may be referred to bodies such as the Civil Service Commission, DILG, Sandiganbayan, or the Office of the Ombudsman for appropriate sanctions under existing laws.
It takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or in one newspaper of general circulation. Under the separability clause, if any provision is declared unconstitutional/invalid, the remaining parts not affected remain in full force and effect.