The common notion that the reading and comprehension capability of the deaf/hard of hearing is intact
and unaffected by the disability is inaccurate. Truth is, they have limited vocabulary in comparison with
their hearing counterparts which affects their comprehensions and literacy skills. Such limited
vocabulary renders them to having difficulty in reading and understanding passages;
The same goes for technical /difficult/peculiar words; and
The deaf do not understand questions in Filipino, and do not have an equivalent sign language for
numerical formula/equations.
Thus, as an immediate recourse to address the cited predicament, we shall extend for one hour the
examination time limit for the deaf/hard of hearing examinees during the October 23, 2016 Career
Service Examinations. Anchored on the existing extended time limit for the blind/visually impaired,
duration of examinationfor the deaf/hard of hearing shall be, as follows;
Professional – 4 hours, 10 minutes
SubProfessional – 3 hours, 40 minutes
Consequently, the following related guidelines/procedures shall be observed:
a. Account the number of deaf/hard of hearing examinees.
b. To facilitate preparation (printing) and packing of test materials, submit to ERPO, not later than
October 06, 2016, the statistics for:
-Deaf/hard of hearing examinees
-Blind/Visually Impaired Persons (VIP); and
-Rest of PWD examinees
c. Do randomization procedures separately for the deaf/hard of hearing examinees, for the the
blind/VIP, and for the rest of PWD examinees.
d. Generate and print separate Examinee Attendance Sheets for the deaf/hard of hearing examinees, for
the blind/VIP, and the rest of PWD Examinees.
e. As far as practicable, provide a room for the deaf/hard of hearing separate from the rest of PWD
Examinees.
f. As far as practicable, tap sign language interpreterto be utilized only for the general
instructions/information (portions of the Manual on administering the examination that are read out
loud by the Room Examiner) during preliminary activities. (NOTE: The sign language interpreter shall
leave the room immediately before the test proper starts)
g. Instruct Room Examiner and the Room Proctor assigned in the room for the deaf/hard of hearing to
prohibit examinees from doing sign language to other examinees during the test proper.
For the blind/VIP, directions for administering civil sevice examinations using either the Dictation
system, or the Braille system are in place.
We encourage all the Regional Offices to provide us feedback/comments on the conduct of examination
for the deaf/hard of hearing examinees. Yopur inputs shall be valuable in the finalization of the policy on
the matter.
Thank you