Sunday, February 3, 2008
Independent Living Movement Activity
Life Haven, Inc. and SCIF held a seminar workshop to introduce Independent Living Philosophy and Peer Counseling to persons with disabilities last January 12-18, 2008 at Bahay San Lorenzo in Jalajala, Rizal. Holding of Independent Living Philosophy and Peer Counseling (IL-PC) seminar workshops was started by these two organizations in 2007 and the latest one is the first for 2008’s series of planned activities on Independent Living.
Life Haven Inc., an organization of PWDs working with and for PWDs is one of the frontrunners of the IL movement in the Philippines along with the other members (SCIF, HACI-Cebu, HACI- Cagayan de Oro) of the Philippine Council on Independent Living (PCIL). PCIL is part of the Asia-Pacific Network for Independent Living Centers (APNIL) Activities of APNIL include publication of activity information through website (http://www.apnil.org), monthly internet meeting, and support for implementation of IL related services such as peer-counseling, independent living program and personal assistance service.
Independent Living is a philosophy and a movement of people with disabilities who work for self-determination, equal opportunities and self-respect.Independent Living does not mean that we want to do everything by ourselves and do not need anybody or that we want to live in isolation. Independent Living means that we demand the same choices and control in our every-day lives that our non-disabled brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends take for granted. We want to grow up in our families, go to the neighborhood school, use the same bus as our neighbors, work in jobs that are in line with our education and interests, and start families of our own.
The latest workshop funded by the Department of Health thru the National Anti-Poverty Commission for Persons with Disability. 15 participants with varied types of disability (e.g. blindness, congenital deformity, paralysis) came from the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Batangas and Rizal. It is significant to mention here the participation of several leaders recognized on the national level. 15-20 participants is the ideal number to ensure that everyone will be given enough time to participate in all activities (sessions). This is to promote the participatory attitude and develop it among PWDs to empower them to take a proactive role regarding concerns of the sectors.
Presently, there are no services yet in the community to support persons with disabilities to live independently. It is important to develop human resources in the community first and encourage them to organize themselves as a self-help group before they can realize their potentials as member of the community. For this reason, there is a need for IL peer counseling seminar workshop to be organized as the first step necessary towards the realization of this goal.
IL peer counseling seminar workshop is the venue for participants to learn the concept of Independent Living. The purpose of peer counseling is to restore the self-confidence of persons with disabilities which will lead to rebuilding of human relationship to ultimately change the attitude of the society. In the workshop participants learn the methods and techniques used in peer counseling. Potential peer counselors are identified and groomed for them to provide support to their peers and launch from their community the Independent Living Movement. Peer counselors are key components when establishing IL centers. Present thinkers dangle the progressive notion that persons with disabilities, Irregardless of the severity of their disability can be proactive if given equal chance and opportunity.
Independent Living movement encourages the participation of the most severely disabled person in the community. Their participation in community activities encourages not only other persons with disabilities but the community in general and corrects the misconception and inappropriate attitude towards disability and to persons affected by it.
Thanks to our benefactors who believe in the Independent Living Philosophy and support the Independent Living Movement.
Life Haven Inc., an organization of PWDs working with and for PWDs is one of the frontrunners of the IL movement in the Philippines along with the other members (SCIF, HACI-Cebu, HACI- Cagayan de Oro) of the Philippine Council on Independent Living (PCIL). PCIL is part of the Asia-Pacific Network for Independent Living Centers (APNIL) Activities of APNIL include publication of activity information through website (http://www.apnil.org), monthly internet meeting, and support for implementation of IL related services such as peer-counseling, independent living program and personal assistance service.
Independent Living is a philosophy and a movement of people with disabilities who work for self-determination, equal opportunities and self-respect.Independent Living does not mean that we want to do everything by ourselves and do not need anybody or that we want to live in isolation. Independent Living means that we demand the same choices and control in our every-day lives that our non-disabled brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends take for granted. We want to grow up in our families, go to the neighborhood school, use the same bus as our neighbors, work in jobs that are in line with our education and interests, and start families of our own.
The latest workshop funded by the Department of Health thru the National Anti-Poverty Commission for Persons with Disability. 15 participants with varied types of disability (e.g. blindness, congenital deformity, paralysis) came from the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Batangas and Rizal. It is significant to mention here the participation of several leaders recognized on the national level. 15-20 participants is the ideal number to ensure that everyone will be given enough time to participate in all activities (sessions). This is to promote the participatory attitude and develop it among PWDs to empower them to take a proactive role regarding concerns of the sectors.
Presently, there are no services yet in the community to support persons with disabilities to live independently. It is important to develop human resources in the community first and encourage them to organize themselves as a self-help group before they can realize their potentials as member of the community. For this reason, there is a need for IL peer counseling seminar workshop to be organized as the first step necessary towards the realization of this goal.
IL peer counseling seminar workshop is the venue for participants to learn the concept of Independent Living. The purpose of peer counseling is to restore the self-confidence of persons with disabilities which will lead to rebuilding of human relationship to ultimately change the attitude of the society. In the workshop participants learn the methods and techniques used in peer counseling. Potential peer counselors are identified and groomed for them to provide support to their peers and launch from their community the Independent Living Movement. Peer counselors are key components when establishing IL centers. Present thinkers dangle the progressive notion that persons with disabilities, Irregardless of the severity of their disability can be proactive if given equal chance and opportunity.
Independent Living movement encourages the participation of the most severely disabled person in the community. Their participation in community activities encourages not only other persons with disabilities but the community in general and corrects the misconception and inappropriate attitude towards disability and to persons affected by it.
Thanks to our benefactors who believe in the Independent Living Philosophy and support the Independent Living Movement.
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