PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL ACCESSIBILITY AMONG PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Abstract

Introduction: Recent studies show that the disability-inclusive laws which are expected to enhance the movement and participation of persons with disabilities around their environment are not effectively known and entirely complied with. Therefore, this study sought to evaluate and compare private and public secondary schools in Ilocos Norte with regards to their awareness of Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities and compliance to the Accessibility Law to ascertain that person with disabilities are rightfully assisted by the laws. Methods: The study employed a descriptive-comparative quantitative research design that compares the group of private secondary schools to the group of public secondary schools that were selected through a stratified equal allocation. Additional samples were determined by randomly selecting learners and employees without disabilities; and total enumeration on learners with disabilities from each group. A checklist was used to assess the infrastructures by a skilled assessor while a survey questionnaire was answered by the respondents. Results: A total of 156 learners and employees participated in the study. Both private and public on 10 secondary schools had high levels of awareness regarding the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities. Furthermore, the schools were found to have almost all the required disability-accessible features in compliance with the Accessibility Law. Analysis using the Mann-Whitney U test showed no significant differences in the level of awareness and compliance to these laws between private and public secondary schools as well as among their respective learners and employees. Discussion: The findings suggest that these disability-inclusive laws are being effectively implemented in the two groups of secondary schools with similar levels of commitment to promoting disability-inclusive education and accessibility for persons with disabilities.