LUNA, Apayao – The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office led by Department Head Jocelyn Loyon in collaboration with the Area 1 Vocational Rehabilitation Center and Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office started the first day of Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Training with Braille Reading and Writing to local social welfare and development officers (and person with disability affairs officers earlier today September 24-27, 2024 held at Star Jewel Lodge San Isidro Sur, Luna, Apayao.
Braille reading and writing are essential skills for individuals who are totally blind or have low vision. They provide independence, access to information, communication, self-expression, cognitive development, confidence, social inclusion, academic success, employment opportunities, personal growth, and many other benefits.
Meantime, the O&M training provides guidance and support to teach a person with vision impairment to move through their environment safely and confidently.
Around 35 participants actively participated in the said workshop including individuals with visual impairment or the blind.
Based on data, there are 325 individuals with visual impairment in Apayao. Only around 2% of them have proper orientation and mobility training by enrolling into SPED schools, the rest survive with difficulties of navigating their environment as well as being dependent on their own families for daily survival.
During the training workshop some various topics were tackled including Braille Reading and Writing; (1) Reading and Writing the Alphabet using 6 Dots, (2) Familiarization in the Cell Pattern, (3) Writing beginning at the Right and (4) Writing beginning at the Left.
Nemalyn Agpuldo, a participant from the Municipality of Luna, expressed thanks to the trainers and the organizers of the training. Agpuldo said, ” this training workshop have a great impact to us to learn and have more knowledge about the orientation & mobility with braille reading and writing so that if there’s a client who belongs to differently abled person, I can apply what I have learned and help them.”
Statement of Johnny Velan, 43 years old, San Gregorio Luna Apayao (totally blind)
“Ti maubraak langen ket agpakan ti baboy nga taraken mi ken nakitarakenan mi, ken agkayas iti walis ting-ting nga ilako mi nu dadduma pagnayon iti allowance ti inaldaw aldaw.”
“Kas maysa a participant dakkel a tulong kanyak atuy a training maipanggep iti Braille Reading and Writing tapno maka communicate kn maiyebkas ko ti kaririknak uray kastoy iti kasasaad ko.” By Michelle Acantilado
