Law Summary
Objectives of the Act
- Provide free, appropriate early and basic education tailored to disability needs
- Guarantee access to the general education system with alternative modalities aligned with international conventions and national laws
- Establish Inclusive Learning Resource Centers (ILRCs) nationwide
- Promote full potential development, social participation, and community respect for learners with disabilities
- Develop systems for identification, referral, and intervention including Child Find System
- Institutionalize Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and parent involvement
- Equip teachers, parents, and caregivers with skills for detection and intervention
- Increase school retention and cohort survival of learners with disabilities
- Create inclusive consultative mechanisms involving learners and their advocacy groups
Definitions Key to Implementation
- Basic Education includes kindergarten to secondary levels and alternative systems
- ILRCs are centers providing specialized support, instructional materials, and multidisciplinary services
- Inclusive Education entails accommodations and modifications for full participation with age-appropriate peers
- Individualized Education Plan (IEP) details customized educational programming and supports
- Related and support services cover therapies, counseling, transportation, and assistive devices
- Para-teachers and Learning Support Aides assist with instruction and care
- Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning guide accessibility and instructional flexibility
Inclusion Policy Across Public and Private Schools
- Ensures no learner with disability is denied admission on basis of disability
- Mandates provision of reasonable accommodations during admissions and educational processes
- Guarantees services and accommodations tailored by the IEP
Establishment and Operation of ILRCs
- Minimum one ILRC per city and municipality, converting existing SPECIAL EDUCATION Centers
- May have satellite centers integrated in schools under School Improvement Plans
- ILRCs and facilities must comply with Accessibility Law and universal design principles
Functions of the ILRCs
- Implement Child Find System for identification and inclusion
- Conduct assessments using multidisciplinary teams for IEP formulation
- Provide support services, training, and counseling for learners and stakeholders
- Produce accessible instructional materials
- Establish referral and monitoring systems
- Implement alternative, early intervention, and transition educational programs
- Provide access to therapies, communication aids, and sign language interpreters
- Innovate and replicate best practices in inclusive education
ILRC Personnel and Structure
- Includes specially trained teachers, para-teachers, support aides, social workers, multidisciplinary professionals
- ILRC Supervisor administers operations and reports
- Multidisciplinary team prepares IEPs and monitors progress
- Mobile teachers and mobile multidisciplinary teams support remote services
- Para-teachers fill gaps where special needs teachers are scarce and receive training before deployment
Compensation and Capacity Building
- ILRC personnel receive remuneration consistent with civil service rules
- Scholarship programs for in-service teachers for advanced special needs education training
- Inclusion of inclusive education in teacher pre-service curricula and licensure exams
- Establishment of Centers of Excellence in special needs education
- Continuous in-service training for all educators and personnel
Development and Review of Individualized Education Plans
- IEPs developed collaboratively with parents, learners, and multidisciplinary teams
- Annual or as-needed reviews with progress communication to parents
Governance and Coordination
- Creation of an Inter-Agency Coordinating Council (IACC) with major government departments and NCDA
- Establishment of the Bureau of Learning Delivery as the implementing secretariat
- Multi-year roadmaps for implementation and progressive realization of inclusive education
- Advisory Committee representing disability sectors to consult on policies and research
Information Management and Research
- Secure Learner Information System (LIS) maintaining detailed learner and ILRC data
- Ongoing research to better meet learner needs and develop instructional materials and programs
Learner Assistance and Rights Protection
- Financial and accessibility support, aligned with existing social reform laws
- Inclusion of learners in sports, recreation, and arts activities
- Provision for accessible instructional materials and transcription of materials without royalty
- Training programs for family members and caregivers
- Nationwide information campaigns and advocacy on learners’ rights
Private Sector Involvement and Government Roles
- Encouragement of private donations with tax incentives
- Clearly defined roles for DepEd, DOH, DSWD, DPWH, DOLE, TESDA, PESO, DILG, LGUs, and barangays in delivery and support
Protection, Safeguards, and Compliance
- Protection policies against abuse, discrimination, and bullying
- Establishment of procedural safeguards including confidentiality and expedited complaint resolution
- Administrative sanctions for noncompliance
Implementation Timeline and Budget
- Public and private schools have up to five years to comply
- Shared ILRCs allowed temporarily
- Annual Program Support Budget for sustainable funding
- Budget appropriations detailed for involved government agencies
Oversight and Accountability
- Creation of a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee (JCOC) to monitor and evaluate law implementation
- Mandatory annual review and impact assessment conducted by DepEd and partners
Miscellaneous Provisions
- Separability clause and repeal of inconsistent laws
- Early effectivity upon publication regardless of IRR issuance
- Rule-making within 90 days
This comprehensive framework ensures the delivery of inclusive education to learners with disabilities through coordinated government effort, specialized resources, stakeholder engagement, and progressive realization of rights and services.