REFLECTION PAPER ON SPECIAL EDUCATION

KYU, EDUARD AUNG JR. COLODB.S. SOCIAL WORK 3

SOCIAL WORK 22- SPECIAL EDUCATIONMWF, 1PM-2PM, SECOND SEMESTER ACADEMIC YEAR 2011-2012ROOM 504, WALDO PERFECTO BLDG., SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY

REFLECTION PAPER

I. DEFINING DISABILITY

The Plight of those who are called to be Persons with Disabilities

or otherwise referred as PWD’s would be the existing social

stratification from Persons without Impairments in which they are

subjected into discrimination and treated as second class citizens

therefore Disability is not a physical and mental incapacity rather it

is a social construction formulated by majority opinion which are not

consistent with actual scientific findings and with the emerging

trends that seeks to bring the People referred as PWD’s into a better

social environment that would manifest Social Equality and Social

Justice in their part. Thus, this kind of perspective would eventually

enable social inclusion to PWD’s eliminating the latter social

stratification and as well as practicing a better form of social

pedagogy.

II. CLIENT SELF-DETERMINATION

Each Person has the right to decide for themselves and if not

able for their closest love one to decide for them in which

institutions, groups, and persons should not compel them to be

subjected under rehabilitation by imposition. The value of one’s

worth and dignity is disregarded if we violate one’s freedom to

decide for his/her life whether or not he/she is young and old,

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literate and illiterate, male or female, with impairment or without

impairment thus in all future cases that we as future social workers

would encounter, we should see to it that we will never forget this

principle. Rehabilitation, Development, and Enhancement must

always be the choice of the client or in rare cases, the person

legally in trusted for him/her.

III. PARTICPATORY DEMOCRACY AND PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT

As e advocate for Equality to all persons, it is a must that it

should always be from the consensus of the people and the said

consensus depends on the bases of their rebuttals and surrebuttals

which are nonetheless the existing information and form of

consciousness socially constructed to them. There should be

participatory democracy in the sense that it doesn’t only refer to

decision-making rather systematic and comprehensive information

dissemination among the people thus leading into a more

considerate and more thorough deliberation which is done critically

and consciously consistent to the betterment of the people as the

first step of social inclusion of PWD’s. People Empowerment on the

other hand is the outcome of participatory democracy in which by

allowing them to be properly informed, and to participate in

carrying out simultaneous tasks in decision-making and

implementation it leads to them to use their attributes which results

to their empowerment.




IV. COMMUNITY-BASED REHABILITATION

Popular opinion often defines Rehabilitation to be

institutionalized and marginalized which results to the exclusion of

Persons with Impairments to the society, the consequence of such

action resulted into the lack of understanding in both sides which

eventually to social disparities. As the concept of Community-Based

Rehabilitation emerged, the step for bringing Equality to all was

furthered in which this concept enables both sides to interact to one

another allowing each one to understand each other better and

establish rapport to the said parties. It also allows the society to be

more socially inclusive as it addresses the plight of PWD’s as a

whole thus their Rehabilitation is more accessible and acceptable in

its form creating a Social Environment that reduces the barriers

both environmental and social and develops a more friendly

environment to all.

V. ROLE OF THE SOCIAL WORKER

The Role of the Social Worker based on the interventive roles

would be primarily an Enabler, a Social Broker, and an Advocate in

which the said Worker should see to it that all the persons involved

and the client system are properly conditioned as well as the linking

of support from all sectors involved. As an Enabler, the Worker

should provide the necessary information as well as the sources of

support for these emerging operational activities to push through.




As a Social Broker, the Worker should link them to the necessary

connections needed in order to provide all the necessities in the

said operations. As an Advocate, the Worker’s vital role is to bring

Consciousness-Raising to the Communities and Institutions in order

for them to carry out their own agendas consistent with the goal of

ending the plight of PWD’s in terms of social stratification.

VI. ROLE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR

The Public primarily the Government has the highest degree on

Social Responsibility and Public Accountability for the People. It is

the role of the Public Sector and the Government to ensure that the

Welfare of the People is properly provided as well as to ensure

Social Protection to all Persons within the State. Thus, the Public

Sector should be the first to initiate the goal on bringing Social

Justice and Social Equity to all persons which does not exclude

anyone and aimed for the General Welfare of the People.

VII. ROLE OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR

The private sector though private in its label and form is still

subjected for Social Responsibility and is still involved in the mode

of the Society. Thus, it is just proper for the aforementioned sector

to aid the initiators of the said agenda on promoting Social Justice

and Social Equity to all especially in the part of PWD’s and other

marginalized sectors.

VIII. COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION

“Coordination and Collaboration is the key for the unification and

over-all development of our nation.” As much as possible, the




initiators of the said agenda on CBR and as well as on Social

Transformation should be inclusive in order for it to be in a broader

range, in a more effective and efficient implementation, and a more

consolidated one. Each one should cooperate and contribute so that

the movement would eventually be adequately addressing the

dilemmas, genuinely implement change, and sustainable.

IX. INSTITUTIONAL VIABILITY

Institutional Viability should be prioritized creating a broad

network of stakeholders on advancing various socially

transformative agendas which in the long run would not just be

sustainable but also highly organized, highly efficient and effective,

and highly recognized in the degree of its significance. A joint-action

on all existing structures in the entire society would eventually lead

a great impact to the aforementioned agenda thus leading into a

more feasible plan of action for Social Development.

X. POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

Policies are the sole bases of all operations in a society. The

mode of operation of the Society is based on the provisions enacted

in its jurisdiction. It is a social contract that binds the people into

one state with a government in harmony and order thus the policies

should always be consistent with the socially transformative goals

therefore there should be social legislation bringing social reform

that would enable the legal framework to consistent with the

maximization of the provision for the general welfare of the people.

It is our role to determine the effects of these policies and its




advantages and disadvantages to the people and give certain

professional recommendations to local and national legislators.

XI. CONSCIOUSNESS-RAISING AND ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES

“Information is the primary tool for empowerment.” Social

Pedagogy cannot be possible without social awareness on the part

of the people. The initiators of the said agendas stated earlier in this

reflection paper should first inform the people in order for them to

understand, be involved, and to participate resulting into their

empowerment. We should begin in advocating the cause before

starting the movement, an advocacy of informed choice and

solutions which are universal to all.

XII. ROLE OF THE INDIVIDUAL FOR SOCIO-CULTURAL RENEWAL

The Individual may not be the start of change for I believe that

change can only be possible if both the person and the social

environment would start the move for genuine change in which the

individual can be a co-initiator of change and a propagator of such

movement for betterment. The Individual’s willingness,

determination, commitment, and dedication would be the core of

the aforementioned change but it doesn’t end there for it should

always be in uniformity with the others who are in the same

movement and thus by adhering to one another, change can be

done. A world without discrimination and prejudice can be attained

that is socially inclusive and adaptable to all persons if only each




individual begins the movement with other individuals in the same

cause and the same line of operation.


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REFLECTION PAPER ON SPECIAL EDUCATION