A bill for persons with special needs

MANILA, Philippines - With the success of indie films that tackle the plight of people with disabilities like Mike Sandejas’ Dinig Sana Kita, which describes the bond between a young lady and a deaf man, and Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil’s Boses, which shows how a mute child got the chance to express himself via a musician’s guidance, it is evident that special attention is being given to persons with special needs. Rep. Irwin Tieng of Buhay Partylist is one with them.

He has proposed to the 14th Congress the passing of House Bill 4217, an act granting exemptions from securing permission from the publisher or copyright owner of printed materials to reproduce the same in a specialized format for exclusive use of the blind.

The Bill will amend Section 185 of Republic Act 8293, known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

“We have to acknowledge the need for the blind to have the same opportunities normal people have,” he says. “With the passing of this bill, blind people will have access to pieces of information available to others.”

HB 4217 will permit production and distribution of special format books and magazines for the visually impaired without first getting a copyright clearance from the appropriate bureau. This expedites the early circulation of the materials needed for the use of visually-impaired persons.

“As legislators, we have to acknowledge the fact that blind people are very much a part of society and that they should have access to education,” concludes Tieng. “This will provide them with the tools to be of service to the country and to be sources of inspiration to other Filipinos.”