Transition Programs for Persons with Disabilities in the Selected Municipalities of Quezon: Their Level of Effectiveness

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Special Education in the Philippines has only served 2% of the targeted 2.2 million children with disabilities in the country who live without access to a basic human right: the right to education. Most of these children live in rural and far flung areas whose parents need to be aware of educational opportunities to guarantee their right to receive appropriate education within the regular or inclusive classroom setting. This study was conducted to find out the level of effectiveness of the transition programs for Person with Disabilities in different municipalities of Quezon Province and came up with a proposal to create an ordinance that will intensify the employment support system forPWDs in the municipality of Lopez.

METHODS

This research study utilized a descriptive-evaluative method to determine the level efficacy of government programs for PWDs and its implementation in Selected Municipalities of Quezon. A group of respondents composed of fifty-four (54) PWDs who availed of the transition programs participated in the study. A researcher-made survey questionnaires and informal interview was used to gather data and Two-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS

The findings of the study are: (a) The participants' ages were between 21-65 years old, majority were males who have reached high school level; (b) The transition programs in the participating municipalities provided trainings on livelihood and entrepreneurial skills development. (c) The level of effectiveness of transition " ̈programs in all selected municipalities in terms of accessibility, employers/customers, and PWDs are highly effective; (d) There is a significant difference in level of effectiveness of the transition programs among aspects while there is none among municipalities; (e) There are perceived personal factors very highly affecting the level of effectiveness of the transition programs.

DISCUSSIONS

The participants of the study were persons with orthopedic, visual, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, autism, and speech and language disorder which, prior to the training, majority did not have work experience. The transition provided livelihood programs; the perceived factor that are highly affecting the PWDs are: Adaptive Skills, Values and attitudes, Interests, Life Goals and Education while Family. In the light of these findings, the researcher came up with a proposal to create an ordinance that will intensify the employment support system for PWDs in the municipality of Lopez.