are commercially available to enable them to communicate through the telephone
system.
SECTION 24. Free Postal Charges for the Disabled
Postal charges shall be free on
the following:
(a). article and literature like books and periodicals, orthopedic and other devices, and
teaching aids for the use of the disabled sent by mail within the Philippines and abroad;
and
(b). aids and orthopedic devices for the disabled sent abroad by mail for repair;
Provided, That the aforesaid items are for personal purposes only: Provided further,
That the disabled person is a marginalized disabled as certified
by the Social Welfare and Development Office of the local government unit concerned
or the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
CHAPTER 6 – Accessibility
SECTION 25. Barrier-Free Environment
The State shall ensure the attainment of a
barrier-free environment that will enable disabled persons to have access in public and
private buildings and establishments and such other places mentioned in Batas
Pambansa Bilang 344, otherwise known as the
Accessibility Law’•. The national and
local government shall allocate funds for the provision of architectural or structural
features for disabled persons in government buildings and facilities.
SECTION 26. Mobility
The State promote the mobility of disabled persons. Disabled
persons shall be allowed to drive motor vehicles, subject to the rules and regulations
issued by the Land Transportation Office pertinent to the nature of their disability and
the appropriate adaptations or modifications made on such vehicles.
SECTION 27. Access to Public Transport Facilities
The Department of Social
Welfare and Development shall develop a program to assist marginalized disabled
persons gain access in the use of public transport facilities. Such assistance may be in
the form of subsidized transportation fare. The said department shall also allocate such
funds as may be necessary for the effective implementation of the public transport
program for the disabled persons. The
Accessibility Law,’• as amended, shall be
made supplementary to this Act.
SECTION 28. Implementing Rules and Regulations
The Department of
Transportation and Communications shall formulate the rules and regulations necessary
to implement the provision of this Chapter.
CHAPTER 7
Political and Civil Rights
SECTION 29. System of Voting
Disabled persons shall be allowed to be assisted by
a person of his choice in voting in the national or local elections. The person thus
chosen shall prepare ballot for the disabled voter inside the voting booth. The person
assisting shall bind himself in a formal document under oath to fill out the ballot strictly
in accordance with the instructions of the voter and not to reveal the contents of the
ballot prepared by him. Violation of this provision shall constitute an election offense.
Polling places should be made accessible to disabled persons during the national or
local elections.
SECTION 30. Right to Assemble
Consistent with the provisions of the Constitution,
the State shall recognize the right of disabled persons to participate in processions,
rallies, parades, demonstrations, public meetings, and assemblages or other forms of
mass or concerted action held in public.
SECTION 31. Right to Organize
The State recognize the rights of disabled persons
to form organizations or associations that promote their welfare and advance or
safeguard their interests. The National Government, through its agencies,
instrumentalities and subdivisions, shall assist disabled persons in establishing self-help
organizations by providing them with necessary technical and financial assistance.
Concerned government agencies and offices shall establish close linkages with
organizations of disabled persons in order to respond expeditiously to the needs of
disabled persons. National line agencies and local government units shall assist
disabled persons in setting up specific projects that will be managed like business
propositions. To ensure the active participation of disabled persons in the social
economic development of the country, their organizations shall be encouraged to
participate in the planning, organization and management of government programs and
projects for disabled persons. Organizations of disabled persons shall participate in the
identification and preparation of programs that shall serve to develop employment
opportunities for the disabled persons.