MOA Signing Between ATRIEV and Capiz State University: Building Bridges Towards Inclusive Society

Over the years, ATRIEV has been successful in making its mission possible in transforming the lives of hundreds of people with visual impairment and educating thousands of teachers, parents and other stakeholders through its programs and services. Of course, it will not happen without the support and assistance of different private and public institutions such as schools, universities, companies and other agencies.

Taking steps to Possibilities

Capiz State University(CapSU), a public educational institution, has expressed care and support for persons with visual impairment in Visayas and decided to sign a memorandum of agreement in partnership with ATRIEV.

CapSU was no longer a newbie when it comes to trainings for visually-impaired students and for teachers because Dr. May D. Dumapig, the CapSU-Pontevedra campus administrator, is a mother to a low vision person, and has already joined a lot of ATRIEV’s computer trainings for teachers and parents in the past years. ATRIEV had also conducted a five-day Android training of trainers for the first time in the same campus last 2016, and was attended by 30 SPED teachers, student teachers and CapSU teaching personnel.

On July 22, 2019 , CapSU-Pontevedra has finally strengthened the bind between ATRIEV and CapSU through a MOA signing that will be effective within three years. It was represented by the ATRIEV trainers, Ms. Lourdes Borgonia (ATRIEV’s program coordinator), Dr. May D. Dumapig (campus administrator), Dr. Judel V. Protacio (dean of College of Education, Arts and Sciences), Ms. Sandra Escabarte (CapSU Pontevedra Extension in-charge), and Dr. Matilde C. Tonel( extension coordinator). It was held during the opening ceremony for the five-day Windows trainers training and was witnessed by the representatives from different schools, stakeholders and linkages around the province of Capiz.

Both parties agreed to join force for a program titled “BALIKATAN”, under the banner program of CapSU-Pontevedra, Extension Department with the slogan: “Suporta sa Aton Komunidad para sa paglab-ot sang ila Damgo kag Gugma sa Pagbag-o – support for our community to reach their dreams and to love change (SAKDAG-sa Pagbag-o).”

This program aims to increase community awareness and participation on inclusive education, launch support programs for students with special needs, develop a more committed and competent faculty to handle students with special needs, and equip persons with disabilities the appropriate skills and knowledge in using technology for learning and entrepreneurial ventures.

These will be conducted through activities such as training for teachers and students with special needs, training of trainers for the visually impaired on using computer applications and Community-based training for stakeholders and persons with disability.

Join Us with Our Mission

Compared to other progressive countries, it’s still a long way for us to achieve a friendly society for persons with disability, however, leading this kind of partnership project would be a great start in breaking barriers and building bridges towards inclusion and accessibility.

Just like what Helen Keller quoted, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Let’s work hand-in-hand in accomplishing our mission to empower persons with disability, improve their way of living, stop stereotyping, inculcate disability awareness and encourage inclusion for all.

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