Twenty-five years ago, one blind pastor had a vision of using technology so that blind people can lead better lives. So he started a computer training in DOS right in his own backyard which eventually was institutionalized as Adaptive Technology for the Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired Incorporated also known by its nickname ATRIEV.
ATRIEV has lasted and endured because of its valuable friends and partners who were recognized during the modest celebration of ATRIEV’s silver founding anniversary held on November 26, 2019 at the Marikit Function room of One Shangrila Place, Mandaluyong City.
Dubbed as “25 Years of Creating Vision Beyond Sight; Be our Partners in Sight, Partners in Deed”, ATRIEV gave due recognition to the following:
CBM is an international development organization committed to improving the quality of life of people with disabilities in the poorest countries of the world. CBM addresses poverty as a cause and consequence of disability and works in partnership with local development organization to create an inclusive society for persons with disability.
In 2003, CBM provided ATRIEV a five-year grant that jump-started ATRIEV’s formal organizational set-up. Through the CBM grant, ATRIEV established a six-person full-time staff which assured the quality delivery of its services. CBM continues to provide salary support to ATRIEV staff as well as support to training, employment efforts and disability inclusive orientation projects.
CBM was ably represented by Ms. Erly Ocasiones, Program Manager, CBM Country Office Philippines and Ms. Julie Ann Nery, Livelihood cluster Field Coordinator.
The Liliane Fonds of the Netherlands aims at giving children and youngsters with disabilities, up to 25 years, in developing countries to enable them to participate and count in their community. NORFIL Foundation is the Strategic Partner Organization (SPO) of the Liliane Fonds in the Philippines under the Partnerships for Inclusive Development (PFID) team. As an SPO, NORFIL provides financial and technical support to local non-profit and people’s organizations supporting children and youth with disabilities.
In 2007, Liliane Fonds gave support to 25 ATRIEV trainees. To date, Liliane through NORFIL Foundation, has provided tuition and dormitory sponsorships to more than 400 blind trainees. NORFIL has also given support to the training of over 500 teachers in the use of assistive technology as a teaching and learning tool.
NORFIL Foundation was ably represented by JonalynGalamgam, Program assistant, Partnerships for inclusive development.
The UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, the country’s National University, has partnered with ATRIEV through the UP College of Education, Diliman campus. Aware of technology’s role in the education of persons with disabilities, special education students of the UP College of Education participate in ATRIEV’s Basic ICT for SPED Teachers training so that they will be able to use assistive technology in both Windows and Android platforms in teaching their future students. Since 2018, ATRIEV has conducted two batches of ICT training for the UP College of Education students. Both institutions plan to formalize the partnership in the succeeding years UP College of Education was ably represented by Dr. Marie Therese Angeline Bustos, former Dean, College of Education, University of the Philippines.
One Meralco Foundation (OMF) is the social development arm of Meralco. OMF undertakes various projects for the upliftment of disadvantaged sectors within the Meralco franchise areas. In the Christmas of 2018, OMF launched “Kita-Kita Ngayong Pasko” an employee giving project to support ATRIEV’s programs. Among the programs supported by One Meralco Foundation are nationwide teacher training on assistive technology, social media marketing training for persons with disabilities and Android accessibility training for children and youth with disabilities. One Meralco Foundation was ably represented by its Program Manager, Mr. Neil Celeste Rara, during ATRIEV’s 25th founding anniversary event. With One Meralco Foundation and ATRIEV working hand-in-hand, the blind will truly see the light at the end of the tunnel.
