Other issues raised by members of the sector during open forum • There are difficulties to work in the new normal: access to safe transportation to workplace, unfamiliarity with the use of technology (devices, software, internet) and rapid transition on remoted work, and difficulty to focus and concentrate. • There is a need to strengthen the presence of NCDA, especially during the pandemic. • Programs are not specifically designed for persons with disabilities and are, therefore, inaccessible to some members of the sector. • Programs are politicized in the local government. • There is no provision of sign language interpretation or closed captioning. • There is a lack of information dissemination on the services provided by different government agencies. • Transportation remains to be inaccessible, especially now in the pandemic. RECOMMENDATIONS From Project • Invest in, and implement programs that bridge the gap on Inclusion Network employability skills and encourage entrepreneurship of Persons with Disability • Ensure representation and inclusion of the disability sector in the design and delivery of economic empowerment and poverty alleviation programs • Review and improve the collection, interoperability and storage of data on persons with disabilities to provide better references for public and private sector agencies to implement accessible and disability-inclusive recovery programs • Advocate or strengthen budget of PDAOs to deliver specialized services for PWDs, along with promoting their mainstream participation and availment of the government programs From Leonard • Information sharing among employers, government Cheshire Disability agencies, and local government units who may be Philippines interested in the tool and technology Foundation, Inc. • Provision of technical assistance and work with these entities on setting up this tool which can be managed by them independently. • Partnership with employers, local and national government agencies and disability organizations in promoting inclusive employment for people with disabilities. From other • For NCDA to help CHR complete the directory of members of the Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) sector • For the agencies to have initiatives to continue providing the services amidst pandemic; provide analysis on what programs can be introduced or developed