The Department of Tourism-Regional Office V, and the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) will sensitize tourism frontliners on September 29 and 30, despite the blow of unpredicted blow to tourism sector brought about the COVID-19 Pandemic, and persons with disabilities being affected among the vulnerable groups.
Dubbed as “Webinar on How to Assist Persons with Disabilities for Tourism Frontliners During the COVID-19 Pandemic” it is aimed to ensure that tourists/guests are accorded proper assistance in tourism establishment and destination at the current pandemic situation towards the new normal system. Likewise, to equip and capacitate the tourism frontliners adequate knowledge and techniques of the right ways of assisting tourists/guests with limitation in mobility, hearing and seeing.
A joint undertaking of DOT and NCDA, it started sensitizing tourism frontliners around the country since 2011 as “Seminar on How to Assist Persons for Tourism Frontliners” to promote the DOT’s “Tourism for All” policy which provides guidelines for stakeholders on accessible tourism as provided for in the government’s National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) in order to address the needs of tourists with disabilities.
This initiative is an off-shoot of DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2011-14 issued on February 11, 2011 entitled “Adopting the Guidelines on the Grant of Special Discounts to Persons with Disabilities Pursuant to the Provisions of Republic Act No. 9442” in response to Articles 9 and 30 of the UNCRPD to the provision of “ACCESSIBLITY” which enables persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life. Likewise, persons with disabilities can expect to participate fully and enjoy the same tourism activities at par with persons without disabilities.
Speakers from the Special Education Centers Teachers and Officials from the National Council on Disability Affairs will be discussing topics on “Making Tourism Establishment Barrier-Free” and “Key Mandates on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities”, respectively.
The DOT and NCDA believe that during this time of pandemic no tourist/guest with disability should be left behind in participating and enjoying tourism activities.
In the same event, three (3) Webinars will be undertaken in Region IV (CALABARZON) on October 15, Region I, on November 12, and National Capital Region, on December 4 of this year.
Refences:
JEMELLEE P. AGUILAR
ncda.jemellee@gmail.com
EMERITO L. ROJAS