Resource and Development Center to Empower People with Disabilities

In the pursuit of sustainable development, it is important to create inclusive living spaces for all communities. Providing accessible mobility and disability service centers is essential in achieving inclusivity to ensure equal opportunities and improved quality of life for everyone. Committed to building an inclusive city, Taguig City in the Philippines has launched a disability empowerment center operated directly by the local government.

People with Disabilities in Southeast Asia

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 15.6% of people in the Southeast Asia region live with a severe disability, making it the region with the third-highest prevalence of disabilities in the world. 

Despite the large number of individuals with disabilities, Southeast Asia’s inclusive spaces and non-discriminatory systems remain insufficient. People with disabilities face numerous daily and lifelong challenges, including limited access to education and employment.  Additionally, frequent discrimination and stigma make their lives even harder.

Taguig’s Disability Resource and Development Center

To create a more inclusive city and address the challenges faced by people with disabilities, the Taguig City Government in the Philippines launched a new service building dedicated to empowering and developing their capacities. It is the first one in the country that is managed and operated by a local government. 

The Disability Resource and Development Center opened in January 2024. This center is a vital resource for information, program and policy development, and capacity building for the disability community in Taguig City. 

It offers a range of free services, including speech therapy, physical therapy, and consultations with medical and developmental specialists. The Center also houses the Philippine Registry for Persons with Disability Services that provides applications for free livelihood and developmental training programs. Additionally, an e-library is also available to all residents of Taguig City to ensure access to inclusive educational resources.

Towards Equal Opportunity and Inclusive Living Space

Creating inclusive living spaces and ensuring the well-\being of all citizens, including people with disabilities, heavily depends on proactive government measures and resources. Governments need to shift from fragmented support systems to comprehensive services, programs, infrastructures, and supportive policies.

Increasing public awareness and understanding of disability issues is also vital. Hence,  workplaces, businesses, and communities also play a key l role in promoting inclusivity and offering equal opportunities for people with disabilities, thereby improving their involvement and integration in society., 

All in all, collaboration and shared awareness between civil communities and government can cultivate inclusive living spaces for everyone and pave the path towards a sustainable, fair future for all.

Editor: Kresentia Madina & Nazalea Kusuma