Law Summary
Objectives of the Act
- Provide free, appropriate early and basic education with support tailored to needs.
- Enable access to general education, including alternate modes in line with international treaties and national laws.
- Establish Inclusive Learning Resource Centers (ILRCs) for learners with disabilities.
- Foster full potential development and community acceptance.
- Develop systems for identification, referral, intervention, and individualized education planning.
- Empower parents, teachers, and stakeholders through training.
- Increase school retention and cohort survival rates.
- Build mechanisms for active participation of learners with disabilities and their representatives.
Definitions
- Provides detailed definitions including:
- Basic Education, Inclusive Education, Inclusion.
- ILRCs and ILRC personnel.
- Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
- Learners with Disabilities, Special Needs Education, Para-teachers, Learning Support Aides.
- Related and Support Services, Reasonable Accommodation.
- Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning principles.
Inclusion Policy in Public and Private Schools
- All schools must ensure equitable admission and services for learners with disabilities.
- No denial of admission based on disability.
- Minimum services and reasonable accommodations mandated.
Establishment and Functions of ILRCs
- DepEd and LGUs to establish at least one ILRC per city/municipality.
- Existing Special Education (SPEC) Centers converted to ILRCs.
- ILRCs to adopt universal design and accessibility standards.
- Functions include:
- Implement Child Find System (CFS) for identifying learners with disabilities.
- Conduct multidisciplinary assessment and develop IEPs.
- Provide support, training, and instructional materials.
- Establish referral, counseling, and technical assistance mechanisms.
- Monitor services and facilitate alternative educational programs.
- Provide auxiliary non-educational aids enhancing learning.
ILRC Personnel and Responsibilities
- Includes supervisors, multidisciplinary teams, mobile teachers, mobile multidisciplinary teams, and para-teachers.
- Supervisor oversees ILRC operations, training, monitoring, and reporting.
- Multidisciplinary teams handle assessment, IEP preparation, and inclusion logistics.
- Mobile teachers facilitate support in remote areas.
- Para-teachers assist in teaching where special needs teachers are lacking, with proper training required.
- Recruitment of qualified personnel, including persons with disabilities.
Remuneration and Incentives
- Salaries and benefits align with civil service rules.
- Programs to attract qualified staff including scholarships, exchanges, and training.
Scholarship and Training Programs
- Scholarships for in-service teachers to gain competencies in special needs education.
- Pre-service curricula to include inclusive education courses.
- Continuous training, seminars, and workshops coordinated with CHED and TESDA.
- Professional Regulation Commission to integrate specialization fields in licensure exams.
- Centers of Excellence to be established regionally.
Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
- Developed with active involvement of learners and parents/guardians.
- Based on multidisciplinary assessment.
- Annual or as-needed review to assess progress and revise plans.
Inter-Agency Coordinating Council for Learners with Disabilities (IACC)
- Composed of top officials from DepEd, DOH, DSWD, DPWH, DILG, DOF, and NCDA.
- Oversees implementation, policy formulation, roadmap review, service coordination.
- Conducts audits and ensures compliance with this Act.
Bureau of Learning Delivery
- Implements Act’s provisions for DepEd.
- Coordinates agencies and stakeholders.
- Supervises and monitors ILRCs and schools.
- Develops IEP frameworks and supports Child Find System.
Multi-Year Roadmap
- Strategic guide ensuring timely compliance and realization of inclusive education.
- Targets establishment of ILRCs, staffing, and resource allocation.
- Submitted annually for budgetary considerations.
Advisory Committee for Education of Learners with Disabilities
- Composed of representatives of disability sectors and academe.
- Participates in policymaking, research, monitoring, and legislative review.
- Independent and unpaid entity.
Learner Information System
- Secure system maintaining disaggregated data on learners with disabilities.
- Linked with Child Find System and partner agencies’ databases.
- Compliance with privacy laws enforced.
Continuing Research
- Ongoing studies to improve instructional techniques, materials, and programs.
- Focus on independent living, vocational training, and societal integration.
Learner Assistance Programs
- Financial, educational, and accessibility support targeted especially to economically disadvantaged learners.
- Extension of government assistance programs.
Sports and Recreational Opportunities
- Provision for inclusive sports, recreational, artistic, and social activities.
- Aim for physical, mental, and cultural development.
Instructional Materials
- Authorized to transcribe materials into accessible formats without royalty.
- Publishers to provide digital copies promptly for accessible versions.
- Compliance with international treaties and local laws.
Education for Family and Care Providers
- Training and orientation programs to enable participation in education.
- Awareness of rights, privileges, and procedural safeguards.
Incentives for Private Sector
- Encouragement of partnerships with tax incentives and other benefits for donations.
Roles of Government Agencies
- Clear designation of roles among DepEd, DOH, DSWD, DPWH, DOLE, TESDA, PESO, DILG, LGUs, and barangays.
- LGUs empowered to legislate and support programs locally.
Protection of Learners with Disabilities
- Policies against neglect, abuse, bullying, and discrimination in schools and ILRCs.
- Alignment with existing protective laws.
Procedural Safeguards
- Ensures rights to information, confidentiality, participation, and speedy complaint resolution.
- Administrative liability for delays or non-compliance.
Public Information Campaigns
- Nationwide awareness activities in accessible formats.
- Joint efforts of DepEd and Philippine Information Agency.
Administrative Sanctions
- Enforcement and penalties for violating provisions at schools, government offices, and ILRCs.
Transition and Compliance Period
- Five-year period for schools and ILRCs to comply.
- DepEd to assess readiness and coordinate with CHED for qualified professional supply.
Program Support Budget
- Dedicated budget line in DepEd for the delivery of services, personnel salary, assistive devices, and operational expenses.
Appropriations
- Initial funding charged to existing appropriations, with subsequent direct budget allocations.
Issuance of Implementing Rules and Regulations
- To be issued within 90 days of effectivity, after consultations.
- Public posting and submission to Congressional committees mandated.
Oversight and Evaluation by Joint Congressional Committee
- Oversight body with Senate and House members.
- Annual mandatory review and impact assessment of implementation.
Separability and Repealing Clauses
- Invalid provisions do not affect the operation of the remaining parts.
- Inconsistencies with existing laws repealed or amended accordingly.
Effectivity
- Takes effect 15 days after publication.
- Operative notwithstanding non-issuance of IRR.