3-8. Disability Equality Training (DET) Seminar in Opol

Participants (Barangay officials and Youth Council members) of the DET Seminar discussed problems and solutions based on the social model of disability

The Disability Equality Training (DET) seminar was held on December 17, 2010 in DLRC Building, Opol, Misamis Oriental. This seminar was conducted by Ms. Chona Sabo as a part of her action plan in her previous training during the DET Training of Trainers (TOT) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia together with Ms. Mary Jane Villanueva and Mr. Joseph Rabanes (ex-participants of the DET TOT held in Manila from September 7 to 14, 2009).

Invited participants of the DET Seminar were sixteen (16) including three (3) Barangay Captains, five (5) Barangay Councilors, two (2) Barangay Health Workers, and six (6) Youth Council members.

The objectives of the seminar were for participants to understand and learn about disability in social model perspective; for participants to realize the existing problem that disabled persons (Note: In DET Disabled Persons instead of Persons with Disabilities has the preference) encounter in the society that hinders them to join freely in social activities in their community and enjoy their lives as human beings; and for participants to learn what DET believes - its purpose and ultimate goal.

Participants of the DET Seminar in Opol, Misamis Oriental together with DET facilitators

In the group activity, participants were asked to analyze the video (a video which is being used by the DET Trainers for problem posing) and asked them to write their solution to the problem, how to solve the problem of the disabled persons using the social model perspective. They also made group action plan for their respective Barangays to promote DET and support its goal to change their society.