Law Summary
Construction and Scope
- Liberal construction in favor of deaf Filipinos.
- Focus on respecting, protecting, and fulfilling rights of Filipino Deaf as linguistic and cultural minority.
- Coverage includes all national government agencies, instrumentalities, government-owned and -controlled corporations, local government units, state universities and colleges, and autonomous regions.
Declaration of Policy
- Compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
- State guarantees accessibility, nondiscrimination, and full participation of persons with disabilities, especially the deaf.
- Promotes use of FSL as the national sign language and official language of government transactions involving deaf individuals.
- Supports cultural recognition, education, and international commitments (e.g., ICCPR, ICESCR, CEDAW, CRC).
General Rules on Implementation
- Agencies advised to adopt measures to recognize and support the cultural and linguistic identity of the Filipino Deaf.
- National Information & Communication Policy promotes:
- Training on FSL in civil service.
- Testing of FSL competency.
- Standards for interpreting and translation.
- Agencies must guarantee accessibility and non-discrimination for deaf clients and employees.
- Each agency to formulate and implement an Agency Information & Communication Policy incorporating FSL requirements.
- Inclusive governance encouraged through policy reforms, data gathering, Deaf participation, resource coordination, and alignment with related laws.
- Coordination among agencies with related mandates suggested.
Definitions
- Define key terms such as deaf, Deaf (linguistic and cultural minority), Deaf community, Filipino Sign Language (FSL), interpreting, sign language competency, qualified interpreters, universal design, and Visual Communication Assessment for the Deaf (VCAD).
Interpreting in Filipino Sign Language
- FSL recognized as the medium and official language for interpreting in transactions involving the deaf.
- KWF to establish national standards, accreditation, training, and practice policies for FSL interpreting.
- Includes Deaf Relay Interpreting.
- University of the Philippines and state universities encouraged to conduct research.
Use of FSL in Education
- DepEd, TESDA, CHED, and related agencies mandated to use FSL as medium of instruction in early education, basic education (K-12), technical-vocational education, and higher education.
- ECCD Council to include FSL in early childhood care.
- Policies for hiring Deaf teachers and qualified interpreters.
- Curriculum adjustments to integrate FSL, including Mother Tongue Based-Multilingual Education.
- Professional Regulation Commission to adapt licensing processes for Deaf teachers.
- UP and KWF to develop training materials.
Instructional Materials
- DepEd to develop guidelines for the selection, procurement, and distribution of print and video materials in FSL.
- Engagement of local deaf organizations for production of materials.
- Data monitoring and reporting to NEDA.
FSL in the Justice System
- DOJ, Judiciary, DILG, and other quasi-judicial bodies to adopt FSL as official language for all transactions involving the deaf.
- Issuance of policies, standards, and procedures for interpreting and handling of deaf clients’ cases.
- Use of Visual Communication Assessment for the Deaf (VCAD) to determine communication preferences.
- Data compilation and case monitoring.
Use of FSL in Workplaces
- Civil Service Commission to declare FSL as official language in civil service and government workplaces.
- Incremental recruitment and training of interpreters across six domains.
- Personnel audit and strategic staffing plans.
- Training programs for government employees, appointing authorities, and local chief executives.
FSL in the Health System
- Department of Health to declare FSL as official language for all health transactions involving deaf persons.
- Revision of training curricula for health professionals.
- Ensuring barrier-free services for priority health areas (e.g., sexual and reproductive health, mental health).
- Appointment of FSL consultants and provision of interpreters and accessible materials.
FSL in Other Public Transactions and Agencies
- Agencies such as GSIS, SSS, PhilHealth, and PAGCOR to adopt Agency Policies for FSL use.
- Philippine Statistics Authority to create and maintain a database of deaf Filipinos and interpreters.
- DILG to review local government codes and ensure accessibility and FSL integration.
- Networks of government interpreters and FSL focal points established.
- Special provisions for Deaf Muslims and BARMM context.
FSL in Media
- MTRCB to adopt policies declaring FSL as official language for broadcast interpreting.
- Coordination with broadcaster groups and stakeholders for standards, accessibility, and technical guidelines.
- Programs designed to be universally accessible and used for alternative learning.
- Policy for feedback mechanisms from deaf viewers and quality improvement activities.
Promotion of Filipino Sign Language
- DepEd, CHED, UP, KWF, and other agencies to conduct awareness campaigns and offer FSL training for hearing individuals.
- Inclusion of FSL as elective courses in universities.
- Ongoing research and preservation initiatives for FSL and deaf culture.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- FSL Inter-Agency Council comprised of representatives from human rights, children’s welfare, women’s commission, KWF, and Deaf organizations to coordinate implementation.
- Monitoring, reporting, and oversight functions.
- Annual reporting to Congress and published in accessible formats.
Final Provisions
- Separability clause to preserve unaffected provisions if part is invalidated.
- Repealing clause removing inconsistent laws and issuances.
- Effectivity clause sets rules to take effect 15 days after publication.
- Inter-Agency Council to undertake review after five years.