THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Tuesday launched an information, education, and communication project to help visually and hearing- challenged people participate in good environmental practices.
Titled, "Strengthening DENR’s Partnership with the Deaf/Blind Community," the program was aimed at enabling the visually and hearing impaired, including the blind and deaf-blind, to gain access to essential IEC materials and strengthen their capacities as partners in advocating good environmental citizenships.
The move was made in consonance with annual observance of the Deaf Awareness Week and initiated by the Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service (SCIS) - Person With Disability Desk (PWDD).
Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said the initiative highlights DENR’s agenda to build strong frameworks for disability inclusion and advocacy for their rights.
"The DENR believes people with disabilities have and should have all the same access to our communication tools as others," Cimatu said.
Cimatu cited that the partnership is DENR’s commitment to support broad-based and inclusive approaches to address climate-related threats and push for green recovery under the government's pandemic recovery plans.
The launch was highlighted by the presentation of DENR's IEC materials with sign language interpretations and Braille translations, and the pledge of solidarity with the deaf and blind community.
The group was represented by National Council on Disability Affairs Executive Director Emerito Rojas and Integrated Blind of the Philippines president Gerard Amosco.
Meanwhile SCIS Director Hiro V. Masuda said their push to create disability-inclusive activities such as the production of IEC video and print materials accessible to the deaf and blind “echoesDENR’s putting policy into practice for personswho are most at risk of being left behind due to their vulnerabilities.”
The materials, which are considered the first-of-its-kind in DENR’s history, consist of 16 videos with sign language interpretations.
These include materials about the key projects of the DENR, namely Battle for Manila Bay, Manila Bay Accomplishment Reports, Manila Bay Beach Nourishment, and Battle for the Rivers and Esteros.
Tags: #DENR, #inclusivity, #physically-challenged