The School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) made notable strides in global disability advocacy. They advanced education through their recent participation in the 2024 Kyosaren Conference. This event was held in Shiga, Japan from November 7-9. A delegation led by Mr. Sherlo Reyes, Director of Benilde’s Center for External Linkages, and Ms. Ana Arce, Chairperson of SDEAS, represented the Philippines. They shared valuable insights on disability rights. They promoted inclusive practices and established new partnerships with Japanese institutions.
At the conference, Mr. Reyes highlighted the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the Philippines. He focused on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Ms. Arce, a Deaf individual, shared her personal experiences of struggle and triumph. She offered a powerful perspective on the challenges faced by the Deaf community. The delegation also had the opportunity to see Japan’s successful model of disability sheltered employment. They visited Biwako Mimi no Sato. It is one of over 17,500 government-funded workshops across Japan offering skills training and employment to individuals with disabilities.
Kyosaren, Japan’s largest umbrella organization for PWD workshops, is a key partner of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. Both institutions are affiliated with Workability Asia. This regional organization promotes the employment of PWDs across the continent.
A key highlight of the trip was Ms. Arce’s lecture on the Filipino Sign Language (FSL) Law. It was presented during meetings with Tsukuba University of Technology on November 11, 2024. Her presentation emphasized the importance of language rights for Deaf communities, sparking meaningful exchanges with Japanese Deaf students. This engagement opened doors for potential collaborations. These include Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), joint research, and staff and student mobility programs. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Benilde and Tsukuba University is set to be signed in February 2025.
Also, the delegation visited Hosei University. Discussions centered on creating international educational tours for students. They also focused on developing a joint course on Deaf awareness and PWD policy. The details of this partnership will be solidified during Professor Ryuhei Sano’s visit to Benilde in January 2025. The goal is to launch the course by 2026.
The successful participation in the 2024 Kyosaren Conference is an important achievement. The next visits to Tsukuba University and Hosei University highlight a significant milestone in fostering international collaboration. This engagement strengthens cross-cultural understanding. It also contributes to advancing a more inclusive global community for individuals with disabilities.
