MODULE 1

Special Education in
the Philippines
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Prepared by:

JELYN O. MAGONALIG, MAEd

 Lesson 1 - Special Education: Vision, Policy, Goal and Objectives, Programs and Services
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LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Explain the vision, policy, goals and objectives for
children with special needs,
 Discuss the legal bases of special education in the country.
 Lesson 1 - Special Education: Vision, Policy, Goal and Objectives, Programs and Services
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ACTIVITY: Read and Comprehend the stories of two

young persons with disabilities

Ana Kristina Arce Brina Maxino

 Lesson 1 - Special Education: Vision, Policy, Goal and Objectives, Programs and Services
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Ana Kristina Arce, deaf since she was born. Her hearing
disability didn't stop her from unstoppable yearning to learn.
She was awarded class valedictorian at the Philippine School
for the Deaf and her success in the academe went on from
there.
In 2009, she graduated magna cum laude from the De La
Salle - College of Saint Benilde (CSB) with a degree in Applied
Deaf studies. Her focus was on the multimedia arts and she
went on to become a graphic artist at her alma mater, CSB.
 Lesson 1 - Special Education: Vision, Policy, Goal and Objectives, Programs and Services
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Blazing the trail, she continued on to study abroad to

pursue a Master's Degree. She earned her MA in Deaf
Studies from the Gallaudet University, Washington
D.C., one of the world's most prominent universities in
the field of deaf studies. She is the first Filipino to be
sent to Gallaudet University with a World Deaf
Leadership Scholarship.
Why all the studying? Ana says she wants to give back.
 Lesson 1 - Special Education: Vision, Policy, Goal and Objectives, Programs and Services
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On the New Internationalist Blog she said:

"I hope to not only help them (the deaf) go through college,
but also make them good researchers, and active advocates in
their respective communities. In my advocacy, I’m looking at
opportunities to bring the needs of the Deaf into the
consciousness of society, especially the hearing people. I aim
to help integrate the Deaf and the hearing together in unity,
bridge the communication gap, increase awareness of the
Deaf culture, and raise the respect for the natural sign
language of the Filipino Deaf – the Filipino Sign Language."
 Lesson 1 - Special Education: Vision, Policy, Goal and Objectives, Programs and Services
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This teacher with Down syndrome’s achievements prove

“disability does not mean inability” by Pauline Miranda
MARCH 5, 2018

Brina Maxino, a 21-year-old AB History graduate and current

assistant teacher, shares how despite having Down Syndrome, she has been
able to graduate with a college degree and several special skills courses,
while also serving as a Special Olympics Youth Ambassador.
 Lesson 1 - Special Education: Vision, Policy, Goal and Objectives, Programs and Services
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And in the spirit of Down Syndrome

Consciousness Month last February, Maxino also calls
others to respect persons with disabilities
(PWDs).“Please do not call us names like mongoloid, idiot, moron,
stupid, or retarded,” Maxino writes. “It hurts us. Please be kind to us.
Our disability does not mean inability. We can be useful members of
society.”
 Lesson 1 - Special Education: Vision, Policy, Goal and Objectives, Programs and Services
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According to the Down Syndrome Association of the

Philippines, one in 800 Filipino children has Down Syndrome.
MIMS Today also notes that there are about 1,875 new cases of
Down Syndrome reported every year, with more than 100,000
families living with a person diagnosed with this disability.

Although Down Syndrome is a common disability in the country, it

seems many still don’t recognize that people with this disability can still live
normal lives, especially if given proper education and therapy.
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ANALYSIS: (20 points)

1. What characteristics that Ana and Brina possess that help
them become successful despite their disabilities?

2. What are your insights/learning after you have read the

success stories of two persons with disabilities?