I. Program Overview

Description

The Area I Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC I) is a facility which:

Provides rehabilitation programs and services to Persons with Disabilities PWDs) and their qualified dependents to be a contributing and productive member of the society.

Integrates the knowledge, skills and abilities of different disciplines in a well-defined system in one physical setting adopting comprehensive and developmental programs responsive to the needs and potentials of PWDs and their qualified dependents.

Has an organized constructive structure with clearly defined lines of authority and responsibilities for each area of service and function.

Serves as a demonstration and resource center for policy formulation, program and strategies, development, research, case management, training and supervision.

Provides technical assistance to similar institutions managed by Local Government Units, Non-Government Organizations/Civil Society Organizations, Government Organizations, and other stakeholders and intermediaries.

Establishes network/linkage with Non-Government Organizations, Government Organizations and various stakeholders i.e., Academe for research purposes towards improving its programs and service delivery for continuity of care.

Accesses PWDs in the connectivity to partner agencies both private and government organizations needing auxiliary services and other    technology/assistive devices to improve their condition.

Objectives

VISION

A rehabilitation facility where the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are empowered to become productive and economically competent through collaborative support of various stakeholders

MISSION

To develop and implement coordinated and comprehensive social and vocational rehabilitation programs for the empowerment of Persons with Disability (PWDs).

GOALS

Economically independent and empowered Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) equipped with highly competitive social and vocational skills.

Legal Bases

The Vocational Rehabilitation Centers draw its mandate from the following:

1. Republic Act (RA) No.1179 of 1954
   Provides for the promotion of vocational rehabilitation of the blind and other disabled for their return to civil employment. It provides for the establishment of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) which is charged with the responsibility of implementing the major programs or vocational rehabilitation of the former Social Welfare Administration (SWA) now Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
2. Republic Act (RA) No. 997 of 1956
   For the reorganization plan which defines the organizational functional structure of the Office including that of the Vocational Rehabilitation Section at the Regional Office.
3. Republic Act (RA) No. 2615 of 1959
   Amends Republic Act (RA) No. 1179.  It provides for the establishment of nine (9) Regional Rehabilitation Training Centers and extends the six-month period of Vocational Training for the disabled trainees to a period of one (1) year.
4. Republic Act (RA) No. 5416 of 1968
   Elevated the former SWA into a status of Department. With the enactment of the law, the OVR became “Bureau” which expanded the clientele to cover the Special Groups which included the Released Prisoners, Negative Hansenites, Recovered Drug Dependents and Alcoholics, Disadvantaged Women, Mentally Retarded and Improved Mental Patients.
5. Republic Act (RA) No. 7277 of 1991 – Magna Carta for PWDs
   An Act providing for the rehabilitation, self-development, and self-reliance of disabled persons and their integration into the mainstream of society and for other purposes.
   Specifically, under Title II – Rights and Privileges of Persons with Disabilities
   Chapter I Section 9. Vocational Rehabilitation – Consistent with the principle of equal opportunity for disabled workers and workers in general, the State shall take appropriate vocational rehabilitation measures that shall serve to develop the skills and potentials of disabled persons and enable them to compete favorably for available productive and remunerative employment opportunities in the labor market.
   The state shall also take measures to ensure the provision of vocational rehabilitation and livelihood services for disabled person in the different Vocational Rehabilitation Centers.
6. Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 (Accessibility Law)
   An act to enhance the mobility of disabled persons by requiring certain buildings, institutions, establishments and public utilities to install facilities and other devices.
7. United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) of 2006
   Article 24 – Education –
   5. States Parties shall ensure that persons with disabilities are able to access general tertiary education, vocational training, adult education and lifelong learning without discrimination and on an equal basis with others. To this end, States Parties shall ensure that reasonable accommodation is provided to persons with disabilities.
   Article 27 – Work and employment
   States Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to work, on an equal basis with others; this includes the right to the opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted in a labour market and work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities. States Parties shall safeguard and promote the realization of the right to work, including for those who acquire a disability during the course of employment, by taking appropriate steps, including through legislation
   Sustainable Development Goals for 2006-2020
   Disability is referenced in various parts of the SDGs and specifically in parts related to education, growth and employment, inequality, accessibility of human settlements, as well as data collection and monitoring of the SDGs, for instance:
   Goal 4 – Inclusive and equitable quality education and promotion of life-long learning opportunities for all focuses on eliminating gender disparities in education and ensuring equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities. In addition, the proposal calls for building and upgrading education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and also provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.
   Goal 8 –  To promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all, the international community aims to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
8. Incheon Strategy 2012-2022
   Goal No. 1 – Reduce Poverty and Enhanced employment prospects of PWDs
9. ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025: Mainstreaming the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
   AEC 25 Encourage an inclusive global economy and non-discrimination for persons with disabilities in the region through the promotion of equitable opportunity to employment and entrepreneurship and economic integration for all.

II. Programs/Services/Activities/Modalities

1. Social Adjustment Service – Assist the persons with disabilities achieve adjustment to disability and work towards reintegration to family & community.
2. Medical/Dental Service – Help the clients by determining their capabilities and  limitations with regards to daily activities and job performance to improve their condition.
3. Psychological and Vocational Guidance Service – Assist clients in the formulation of their goals through the evaluation of their mental ability, aptitude and skills, and determining their work experiences, Vocational, and occupational Preferences.
4. Vocational Training Service -Teaches the PWDs with employable skills and develops their positive work habits,  attitude, knowledge & skills that leads to economic productivity and independence.
   Major Vocational Courses
   1. Tailoring with ISMO (Industrial Sewing Machine Operation) NC II
   2. Dressmaking with ISMO NC II
   3. Massage Therapy NC II
   4. Cookery NC II
   5. Beauty Care NC II
   6. Hairdressing NC II
   7. Basic Computer Course

Related Courses

1. Braille
2. Sign Language
3. Orientation and Mobility
4. Citizenship Training
5. ALS Review for Basic Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic to prepare for Equivalency Test
6. Music Development
7. Daily Living Skills
8. T-shirt/Mug Printing

Short-term Courses Offered

1. Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)NC II
2. Electronics Product Assembly and Servicing (EPAS) NC II
3. Bread and Pastry Production NC II
4. Digital T-shirt Printing /Silk Screening
5. Food and Beverages Services
6. Food Processing

On-the-Job Training
Exposure to actual work setting in preparation to  eventual employment.

5. Placement Service – Assist persons with disabilities/ graduates to find employment  either in:
– Self employment
– Open employment
– Sheltered Employment

Gratuity Assistance

Gratuity assistance is provided to the trainees primarily to subsidize the     transportation, meals training materials and other expenses that may be incurred while undergoing one-year vocational training covering regular working days, Saturdays and Sundays and Holidays in the amount of P220.00 per day. The Client is entitled to receive gratuity assistance for a period of one year only. School placement cases are also entitled to receive gratuity assistance.

III. Target beneficiaries
https://avrc1.dswd.gov.ph/index.php/about-us/clientele-category/

Target Clientele

Physical Disabilities

1. Orthopedic Disability
2. Visual Disability
3. Communication Disability
4. Deaf
5. Hard of Hearing
6. Speech Impairment
7. Other handicap
8. Cleft Palate
9. Harelip
10. Clawhand
11. Hunchback
12. Little People
13. Meningocile

Mental Disabilities

1. Upper trainable/Educable
2. Slow Learner
3. Individual with Intellectual Disability/ Learning Disability
4. Mentally Challenged/ Mental Retardation

Psycho-Social Disabilities

1. Recovered Drug Dependents
2. Recovered Alcoholic
3. Negative Hansenites
4. Released Prisoners
5. Improved Mental Patient

Dependents/immediate Family Members of PWDs

Only 10% of the annual total admission of persons with disabilities are allotted slot for qualified dependents who meets the eligibility requirements for admission. They are also entitled to one (1) year gratuity assistance.

IV. Eligibility Requirements

An individual is eligible for rehabilitation service if:

• Person with disability is 16 years old and above;
• Physically and mentally fit to undergo vocational training;
• Has reasonable chance for employment; and
• Willing to undergo vocational training and rehabilitation

V. Documentary Requirements

1. Social Case Study Report from LGU/MSWDO
2. Birth Certificate
3. Barangay Clearance/Certificate
4. Chest X-ray with  Negative PTB
5. 1 (1×1) I. D. Picture, 1 Whole Body

VI. Contact Person/s

VIRGINIA P. SESAY
Training Center Superintendent II / Area I Vocational Rehabilitation Center (AVRC I)
Bonuan Guesset, Dagupan City, Pangasinan
+63 (075) 653-4910 (Telefax)
avrc.fo1@dswd.gov.ph

 

AVRC I WEBSITE:   http://avrc1.dswd.gov.ph