How Media and Information Literacy Empowers Persons with Disabilities

  

This is the last part of the four-part series Empowering Vulnerable Populations through Media and Information Literacy. This article discusses how Media and Information Literacy (MIL) persons with disabilities by overcoming barriers, promoting accessibility, and fostering inclusivity in the digital age.

Media and information literacy does not only aim to instill critical thinking among individuals, it also aims to make a difference in the world. This is why teaching MIL should also be inclusive. It should be the priority of our policymakers to design education as equal and equitable as possible because everyone should be empowered. They should be able to contribute to others and to themselves regardless of abilities.

To ensure that people with disabilities can be equal in sharing the digital space, it is imperative to understand their challenges and strategies to make MIL education accessible.

Understanding the Challenges

•           Limited Access: Since some inventors do not consider persons with disabilities in mind, many individuals with disabilities face challenges accessing the internet or necessary adaptive technologies. This is a problem because they cannot share the same space of digital benefits with those people who have no disabilities.

•           Accessibility Barriers: Digital content and platforms often lack proper design for people who have disabilities. This makes navigation and comprehension difficult. Hence, they tend to be left behind in adapting to the digital space.

•           Educational Gaps: Lower levels of education and digital literacy can hinder effective media engagement. This does not mean they are intellectually challenged over other people with no disabilities. There are just not enough accommodations for students with disabilities.

•           Socio-economic Disparities:  This tends to exacerbate the obstacles of people with disabilities to gain digital literacy because they lack resources in general. If they cannot fend for basic commodities, they cannot easily access investments for social mobility like education

MIL: A Powerful Tool for Empowerment

•           Overcoming Barriers: MIL equips persons with disabilities with the skills to navigate digital spaces effectively in order to overcome inaccessible content and technology limitations. However, this is effective only to the extent that policymakers exert efforts to make MIL inclusive.

•           Promoting Accessibility: Through MIL training, individuals learn about available tools and resources that make online content accessible and usable. This includes having several adaptive technologies and people to guide them in their learning.

•           Fostering Inclusivity: By participating in media creation and sharing, persons with disabilities gain a voice and contribute to a more diverse digital landscape.

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Strategies for Enhancing MIL Accessibility

•           Universal Design: Designing digital content from the start to be accessible to all users, regardless of ability.

•           Adaptive Technologies: Utilizing tools like screen readers, voice recognition, and alternative input devices to enhance interaction with digital content.

•           Clear and Simple Language: Using plain language that is easy to understand benefits everyone, especially those with cognitive disabilities.

Conclusion

Media and Information Literacy is a transformative force for persons with disabilities. By addressing the challenges they face and providing inclusive MIL initiatives, we can create a truly inclusive digital world. It's about empowering individuals, breaking down barriers, and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate fully in today's information society.

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This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

Philippine Paint and Coatings Association Teams Up with UN Laureate for Sustainability

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



In a major stride towards sustainability, Reginald Yu, President of the Philippine Paint and Coatings Association Inc. (PPCAI), has partnered with Glenn Banaguas, the world-renowned science diplomat and UN Sasakawa Laureate. This collaboration aims to elevate the association’s sustainability efforts by leveraging Banaguas’ expertise in climate change and sustainable development.

Reginald Yu expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, ““Partnering with Glenn Banaguas is a transformative step for our industry. His innovative strategies and unwavering commitment to sustainability will help us redefine our environmental impact. We are not just aiming to comply with global standards; we are setting new benchmarks for the entire sector. This collaboration is about leading by example and inspiring other industries to embrace sustainable practices.”

Glenn Banaguas shared his excitement about the collaboration, stating, “This partnership with the Philippine Paints and Coating Association is a powerful opportunity to drive meaningful change. Under Reginald Yu’s visionary leadership, we can implement sustainable practices that will significantly reduce the industry’s environmental footprint. Together, we are committed to creating a resilient and sustainable future, demonstrating that economic growth and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.”

The key initiatives of the partnership include:

1. GHG and Carbon Footprint Assessment: Developing a net-zero emission roadmap.

2. Sustainable Raw Materials: Using eco-friendly, non-toxic materials to minimize environmental impact.

3. Energy Efficiency: Adopting technologies to reduce carbon emissions and operational costs.

4. Recycling and Reuse: Encouraging material recycling to foster a sustainable production cycle.

5. Water-Based Paints: Shifting to less harmful water-based alternatives.

6. Life Cycle Assessments: Evaluating product impacts to guide more sustainable practices.

The first assessment will be conducted at Times Paint Corporation, setting a precedent for the industry.

This partnership signals a robust commitment to sustainability, positioning the association as a leader in green innovation and ensuring compliance with evolving environmental regulations.

Photo caption: Pres. Reginald Yu and Sci. Dpl. Glenn Banaguas

MPT South’s “ALERTO KADA KILOMETRO” Drayberks Road Safety Seminar isinagawa sa PITX

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Bilang dedikasyon sa pagsusulong ng road safety, ang Metro Pacific Tollways South (MPT South), konsesyonaryo ng Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) at Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), ay nagsagawa ng Leg 3 ng Drayberks Road Safety Seminar, gamit ang temang “ALERTO KADA KILOMETRO”, sa Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) noong Agosto 27, 2024. Nagpulong ang 65 na drayberks ng pampublikong sasakyan at pribadong sasakyan upang makinig sa seminar tungkot sa road safety. Pumunta din sa seminar na ito sila Arnold Yuson, Terminal Operations Manager ng PITX, at Rechillo Baladjay, Technical Staff mula Toll Regulatory Board (TRB).

Nagbahagi naman sa nasabing seminar si Carlo Hipol, Head ng Traffic Operations ng MPT South. Siya ay nagbigay ng mahahalagang kaalaman tungkol sa road safety tulad ng kamalayan sa trapiko, mga dapat makasanayan sa kalsada, paano magplano ng mga alis, at ang pamamalakad sa toll. Pagkatapos ng kanyang presentasyon, binuksan niya ang entablado para sagutin ang mga katanungan ng mga drayber, kung saan tinulungan siya ni Ginoong Rechillo Baladjay. 

Giniit ni Arlette V. Capistrano, Vice President for Communications and Stakeholder Management of MPT South, ang kahalagahan ng seminar na ito sa pagsulong ng kaligtasan ng kalsada, upang mabawasan ang aksidente at makabuo ng komunidad ng drayberks na may malay sa kaligtasan. “Our goal in this seminar is to help reduce accidents in the expressway by imparting the importance for drivers to be concerned for their well-being and the well-being of other road users and equipping them with vital information on proper driving along the expressways, vehicle roadworthiness and opening their consciousness to the responsibility of the role they play in being part of a mobile society.”  

Ang Drayberks Road Safety Seminar ay bahagi ng malaking hakbangin ng MPT South para mapalawak ang kaalaman at kahusayan ng mga drayber upang makabuo ng mas ligtas na kalsada at transportasyon para sa mamamayan. Dahil sa seminar, nabigyan ang mga drayber ng mga bagong kaalaman na magagamit nila sa kanilang araw-araw na operasyon tulad ng kung paano pagplanuhan ang kanilang mga ruta, kung paano gamitin ng tama ang tollways, at ang paguna palagi ng kaligtasan sa kalsada. 

Bilang bahagi ng misyon ng MPT South na magtaguyod ng ligtas at mabisa na transportasyon sa bansa, ang “ALERTO KADA KILOMETRO” Drayberks Road Safety Seminar ay isang mahalagang programa na makakatulong sa ating dedikasyon na makabuo ng ligtas na kalsada para sa lahat at magtaguyod ng maayos na edukasyon para sa mga drayber. Dahil sa mga ganitong programa, nakakabuo tayo ng mas responsable mga drayber na may malay sa kaligtasan. Ito ang magdudulot ng mas maayos at ligtas na kalsada para sa lahat.

Ang MPT South ay isa sa mga subsidaryo ng Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), ang nagpapatakbo sa madaming toll road networks sa bansa, tulad ng CALAX, CAVITEX, NLEX, SCTEX, at CCLEX.