Manila - The Department of Education (DepEd) initiated the 2023 National Deaf Awareness Week (NDAW) on Friday, aiming to promote Filipino Sign Language (FSL) and inclusive communication methods. The week-long event, led by the Bureau of Learning Delivery - Student Inclusion Division, includes discussions on laws related to inclusive education, interpreters' guidelines, court interpretation, newborn hearing screening, and success stories of deaf individuals.
According to Philippines News Agency, Commissioner IV Benjamin Mendillo of the Commission on the Filipino Language (CFL) emphasized the importance of Republic Act (RA) 11106, or the FSL Act, which declares FSL as the national sign language and mandates its use in government transactions, schools, media, and workplaces.
Mendillo highlighted the law's role in recognizing and promoting the cultural and linguistic identity of the Filipino deaf community, as well as its contribution to making government services fully accessible and eliminating barriers for deaf Filipinos. The FSL Act aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and seeks to restore the dignity and rightful place of deaf individuals in society. Mendillo also noted that NDAW is not only about emphasizing deaf rights but also about recognizing their contributions as a workforce and linguistic community. The NDAW celebration, which continues until November 16, focuses on the responsibility of caring for, appreciating, and respecting individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, and late-deafened.