NCDA, JICA to hold forum on non-handicapping environment

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will be holding a forum on non-handicapping environment (NHE) on July 4 and 5 at the Dynasty Court Hotel, here. 

The two-day forum, anchored on the theme, “Making a Path to Non-Handicapping Environment,” aims to orient and advocate NHE to local government units (LGUs) for their adoption and to introduce to them the concept of Universal Design (UD) relative to NHE.

Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Akiie Ninomiya, executive director of the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) are scheduled to attend the opening ceremony. 

The local chief executives (LCEs) of New Lucena in Iloilo province and Opol in Misamis Oriental will also be sharing their experiences and achievements as NHE-pioneer municipalities, along with some testimonials on the impact of NHE by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the said two towns. 

Expected participants are LCEs, municipal social welfare and development officers (MSWDO) and presidents of PWD Federation of the LGUs candidate for NHE expansion, as well as, representatives from related line agencies, chairperson of the Regional Council on Disability Affairs (RCDA), representatives from people’s organizations, and other NHE stakeholders.

These participants will also be treated to a study tour in Opol town on the morning of July 5. (APB-PIA10)

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