An Approach for Initiating Educational Programs for the Blind in Asia the Philippine Program,Phase One

Abstract

Another advantage of the integrated program cited by Dr. Vitaliano Bernardino, Director, Bureau of Public Schools, Philippines, is its acceptability and attractiveness to the public. All things considered, this system is less expensive than establishing special schools. Assuming there are certain essential requirements common to both systems such as trained teachers, braille reading matter, and other needed facilities, the use of the regularly established school buildings and classrooms for educating the blind makes the integrated system that much cheaper. This is the main reason why, particularly for those countries or school systems that are just beginning to establish programs for educating the blind, this approach seems to offer greater possibilities.¹⁷

Of the diversiphased approach itself, Dr. Bernardino recently stated, “We are finding the diversiphased approach most practical and flexible in the context of developing the total Program for the Education of the Blind in the Philippines.”

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References

Farrell

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: The Blind in Asia, New York: American Foundation for Overseas Blind, 1958.

Proceedings of the Pan-Pacific Seminar on Vocational Rehabilitation of the Disabled, Manila, November 28-30, 1962.

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Yvonne

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