GUIDE: Person With Disability ID Applications In The Philippines

    

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  Disabilities define as an impairment or a problem a person encounters with his or her physical or mental function which is the three areas that comprise the term ‘disability’, that according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF); are impairment, activity limitation, and participation restriction.

Some common types of disabilities include:

1. Physical Disabilities
Involve impairments in mobility or physical functioning.
Such as paralysis, limb loss or limb differences, muscular dystrophy, and cerebral palsy.

2. Sensory Disabilities
It affects one or more senses, such as:

• Visual impairments range from low vision, partial sight to total blindness
• Hearing impairments range from partial hearing loss to complete deafness

3. Cognitive Disabilities
Are impairments in cognitive functioning that affect learning, problem-solving, memory, and processing information, such as:

• intellectual disabilities
• learning disabilities
• developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or Down syndrome

4. Psychiatric Disabilities
It encompasses mental health conditions that impact a person's emotional well-being, behavior, and cognitive processes.
Such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
 
5. Neurological Disabilities
Affects the central nervous system and can result in various impairments.
Such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and cerebral palsy.

National Council on Disability Affairs

        In the Philippines, as stated in the Republic Act (RA) No. 7277, more commonly known as Magna Carta for Persons with Disability can be broken down into seven different types, such as:

1. Psychosocial disability

Pertains to any psychological or social condition that limits a person’s ability to effectively interact with others. People with this disability look fine from the outside but have a tendency to display asocial or anti-social behavior.

2. Disability caused by chronic illness

A disability caused by chronic illness is a disability that results from complications brought about by the worsening of a chronic medical condition. For example, a person living with diabetes may suffer from complications such as diabetic retinopathy and sepsis due to the inability of his or her body to process sugar. Diabetic retinopathy can cause one to go blind, while sepsis can force one to have his or her limbs removed or experience heart problems, which could result in a stroke.

3. Learning disability

A learning disability is a disability that makes it difficult for a person to focus, comprehend, and retain information. It is usually detected and diagnosed during a person’s time in school. 

4. Mental disability

A mental disability is a mental illness-triggered disability. People with Down syndrome, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia belong to this disability bracket.

5. Visual disability

Unlike other disabilities, a visual disability is considered a disability only when it can no longer be corrected. This means that a person who can still see clearly while wearing eyeglasses is not yet classified as visually impaired, regardless of the grade of his or her eyeglasses.

6. Orthopedic disability

An orthopedic disability refers to a disability that interferes with the ability of the joints, muscles, or limbs to function normally. It includes people with spina bifida, paraplegia, quadriplegia, hemiplegia, cerebral palsy, and polio.

7. Communication Disability

A communication disability is a disability with two sub-types: hearing impairment and speech and language impairment. A person is said to be hearing impaired when he or she partially or completely lose his or her hearing ability. Meanwhile, a person with a speech and language impairment has trouble articulating words.

        Some areas in the Philippines use the specific types of disability in applying the PWD ID as listed below:

1. Physical Disability – e.g : wheelchair user
2. Intellectual Disability – e.g : down syndrome and autism spectrum disorder
3. Learning Disability – e.g : dyslexia and ASD
4. Visual Disability – e.g : Blind, low vision
5. Mental Disability – e.g : dementia, alzheimer’s, schizophrenia
6. Psychosocial Disability – e.g :bipolar, prolonged depression
7. Deaf/Hard of Hearing – e.g :stuttering, cleft palate
8. Speech and Language Impairment – e.g :leukemia, lymphoma
9. Cancer (RA 11215) – e.g :leukemia, lymphoma
10. Rare Disease (RA 10747) – e.g : maple syrup urine disease, rett syndrome

Person with Disability Identification Card

        It issued to individuals with disabilities and serves as official documentation to disability status. It provides also various benefits and privileges in certain countries.

        In the Philippines, the process of applying for a Person with Disability (PWD) ID involves several steps. Here is a general overview of the application process:

It issued to individuals with disabilities and serves as official documentation to disability status. It provides also various benefits and privileges in certain countries.

In the Philippines, the process of applying for a Person with Disability (PWD) ID involves several steps. Here is a general overview of the application process:

1. Prepare the required documents: You will need to gather the necessary documents to support your PWD ID application. These typically include:

• Barangay certification or proof of residency
• Medical certificate or assessment from a licensed physician or specialist indicating your disability and its corresponding International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code
• 2x2 recent ID photo

2. Accomplish the application form: Obtain the PWD ID application form from the local government's Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) or the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (C/MSWDO). Fill out the form with the required information.

3. Submit the application: Submit the completed application form and the supporting documents to the PDAO or C/MSWDO office in your city or municipality. Some local government units may require additional documents, so it's best to inquire beforehand about any specific requirements.

4. Assessment and evaluation: The PDAO or C/MSWDO office will assess and evaluate your application, including the review of your documents and verification of your disability.

5. Photo capturing and payment: Once your application is approved, you will be asked to have your photo taken for the PWD ID. Pay the required fee, which may vary depending on the local government unit.

6. Claim your PWD ID: After processing, your PWD ID will be issued. You may need to return to the PDAO or C/MSWDO office to claim your ID. The validity period of the PWD ID may vary but is typically valid for a few years.

    It's important to note that the application process and specific requirements may vary slightly depending on the local government unit. It's best to directly contact your local PDAO or C/MSWDO office to inquire about the exact process and documents needed for the PWD ID application in your area. They can provide you with accurate and up-to-date information and guide you through the application process.

Person with Disability PWD ID cardholders benefits and privileges