Establishment of the Vocational Rehabilitation Office
- Creation of a dedicated Office under the supervision of the Social Welfare Administrator.
- Headed by a Supervisor appointed by the Social Welfare Administrator with an annual compensation of ₱5,400.
- The Office serves as the implementing agency of vocational rehabilitation programs for blind and handicapped persons.
Powers and Duties of the Social Welfare Administrator
- Designate the Vocational Rehabilitation Office as the sole agency for vocational rehabilitation.
- Formulate and implement policies, programs, and methods for vocational rehabilitation.
- Ensure programs are available only to employable disabled persons as defined by the Act.
- Appoint qualified technical personnel and other necessary staff subject to civil service rules and free from political influence.
- Promulgate rules and regulations governing the Act’s administration.
- Delegate powers necessary for effective implementation except for rule-making.
Vocational Rehabilitation Program
- Adoption and maintenance of a comprehensive Vocational Rehabilitation Plan including:
- Early identification and location of disabled individuals for prompt rehabilitation commencement.
- Rehabilitation diagnosis through medical exams, interviews, and aptitude tests.
- Counseling and guidance to help individuals understand their abilities and job options.
- Medical services to physically restore or reduce disabilities.
- Provision of vocational training tailored to selected job goals.
- Auxiliary services such as transportation, training materials, and necessary licenses.
- Placement services to secure suitable employment.
- Follow-up to monitor job performance and provide additional support if needed.
Personnel Standards
- Officers and staff must have knowledge and skills in vocational training and adjustment for blind and disabled persons.
- Must be familiar with both public and private rehabilitation services and possess expertise in casework for employment challenges.
Duties and Powers of the Supervisor of the Vocational Rehabilitation Office
- Supervise and coordinate all rehabilitation services.
- Oversee training and adjustment programs.
- Advise blind and handicapped groups for self-help initiatives.
- Keep updated on global rehabilitation progress relevant to disabled persons.
- Provide vocational information, self-inventory, and counseling services.
- Arrange employment placements including sheltered workshops, self-employment, and other sectors.
- Maintain public and inter-agency relations.
- Promote recreational activities among disabled organizations.
- Perform duties assigned by the Social Welfare Administrator.
Adjustment and Training Center Program
- Establish a center offering individualized, comprehensive rehabilitation programs.
- Staffed by rehabilitation specialists, vocational counselors, instructors, and clerical personnel.
- Programs include medical, psychological, vocational evaluations, skill training, group participation, and work experience.
- Flexibility to tailor programs to individual needs, capacities, and objectives.
- Orientation with experienced trainees and a structured daily operation.
- Minimum training duration of three months, extendable to six months.
- Provision of gratuity allowance as maintenance during training.
- Procedure for discharge includes staff review, trainee counseling, agreement on future plans, and notification to involved parties.
- Maintenance of detailed records on employment, training, production, and financial aspects for monitoring and auditing.
Eligibility Criteria for Vocational Rehabilitation
- Must be of working age.
- Must have a substantial job handicap due to physical or mental impairment.
- Must have a reasonable prospect of becoming employable or securing better employment through rehabilitation.
Funding Sources
- Annual fundraising week designated as “Aid to the Blind and Handicapped Week” to create a trust fund.
- Special sweepstakes race authorized with proceeds allocated to the trust fund.
- Appropriations from the National Treasury to cover necessary expenses including construction of training centers.
Key Definitions
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services: Necessary services to enable disabled individuals to engage in gainful occupation.
- Blindness: Defined by specific visual acuity thresholds or limitations in visual field; excludes monocular blindness or acuity better than 20/200 without field defects.
- Disabled Person: Includes blind individuals and other persons with substantial job handicaps from physical or mental impairments.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect immediately upon approval on June 19, 1954.