SANTOS, Francis English 30 Report
2014-61290
The Accessibility of Buildings in the University of the Philippines Diliman Campus to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
Miguel Alexander “Miggy” Bautista is a student who was born with spinal muscular atrophy. This condition, caused by a loss of motor neutrons, has greatly affected his muscle movement (Spinal Muscle Atrophy, 2013). As a result, Miggy has to use an electric wheelchair to be able to navigate through the campus. In an interview with our batchmate, Miggy laments the inaccessibility of certain buildings. One example would be his very own home college, the Virata School of Business. Miggy states how difficult it is to be able to go above the first floor while the elevator is currently being repaired. However, the burden is eased with the help of his parents. Miggy says that his parents always accompany him in the campus so that he has assistance in going to his classes. He has also stated about how understanding the UP administration has been for him. To make navigation easier for Miggy, the classes he takes are usually held in the first floor in Palma Hall and the Virata School of Business (personal communication, October 13, 2015).
In 1982, the Accessibility Law (or BP 344) was passed. It is “an act to enhance the mobility of disabled persons by requiring certain buildings, institutions, establishments and public utilities to install facilities and other devices.” (Accessibility Law, 1982) The act lists down provisions for accessibility features in public facilities, such as external ramps, PWD parking slots, an elevator or ramps to access higher floors, and PWD stalls in restrooms.
In 1992, the Republic Act No. 7277, the act known as the “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons”, was approved (Republic Act No. 7277, 1992). This law grants the many rights and privileges of disabled persons in the country, one of which is the right to accessible education. The state must ensure that disabled students are given equal opportunities as other students. With the Accessibility Law and the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, we are reminded of the handicapped student’s right to be free of hindrances to learning.
However, it is a harsh reality that the Accessibility Law is not always followed in the UP Diliman campus. This may consequently impede PWDs like Miggy from their right to accessible education. In our group’s study, we evaluated certain buildings and we checked if they were able to follow the provisions listed in BP 344. Some colleges, such as the School of Statistics and the College of Fine Arts, were not included in the study due to their buildings being only one story high.
Vinzons Hall is said to be the center for students. This building is home to all the Offices concerned with helping students in their different endeavors. Despite that, Vinzons lacks all the necessary provisions indicated by BP 344. The building has an exterior ramp, however, it lacks provisions that allow PWDs to ascend or descend between floors. There is also a lack of PWD parking slots, so these handicapped students may instead park by the area near the organization tambayans, where they have to pass through an unpaved surface area before getting to the building. The building does, however, have PWD stalls in its restrooms.
Located across Vinzons Hall is Benitez Hall, home to the College of Education. The building has an exterior ramp and PWD parking slots for accessibility. Its restrooms also have PWD stalls. Handicapped students may find it difficult, however, to access the upper floors due to the lack of an elevator or ramps.
Palma Hall, home to the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, is one of the most well-known landmarks in the campus. Every student of the university has probably had a class in this building. While students from all over the university access this building, a few questions about its accessibility are asked. Palma Hall has a ramp at its side entrance, near the ruins of CASAA, but PWDs would have to pass through rocky ground and an unevenly paved sidewalk to access it. The building also lacks an interior ramp or elevator, making it practically impossible for students with motor impairment to go between floors. In fact, Mr. Bautista has stated that all his classes were in the first floor. Palma Hall has PWD stalls in restrooms, but it lacks PWD parking slots. Students may, however, park behind the old Biology building for easy access to the side ramp.
The Palma Hall Annex, recently named Lagmay Hall, currently houses the College of Psychology. The building has an external ramp near its main entrance and it also has parking slots for PWDs. However, Lagmay Hall lacks an interior ramp or elevator, making it difficult for PWD students to ascend or descend between floors. The building also lacks PWD stalls in restrooms.
The Main Library, also known as Gonzales Hall, is another well-known landmark in the university. This is where students are able to access research materials for their work. Despite that, the building has trouble adhering to BP 344. The Main Library has an external ramp. It, however, lacks an interior ramp and an elevator, PWD stalls in restrooms, and PWD parking slots.