National Council on Disability Affairs (Philippines)

Based on historical accounts the government's concern for the disabled persons began as early as 1917 and the national concern for rehabilitation was manifested by non-government organizations as well. On January 16–20, 1978, the country hosted the Second International Conference on Legislation Concerning the Disabled organized by the Rehabilitation International's national affiliate, the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation for Disabled Persons (PFRD). During the said conference, President Ferdinand Marcos signed Presidential Decree No. 1509 creating the National Commission Concerning Disabled Persons (NCCDP). NCCDP was tasked to prepare and adopt an integrated and comprehensive long-term National Rehabilitation Plan (NRP).

From the time of its inception in 1978, the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of Disabled, Inc. (PFRD) served as the commission's Secretariat to assist the NCCDP Board in the implementation of its objectives and functions. This arrangement stayed in effect until P.D. 1509 was amended by P.D. 1761 on January 4, 1981.

With the success of the important work began during the International Year of Disabled Persons in 1981, the Decade of Disabled Persons (1981–1991) was proclaimed for nationwide observance on December 17, 1981, with NCCDP as lead agency.

• Formulate policies on disability prevention and rehabilitation for the welfare of persons with disabilities.
• Formulate research and development policies on health, education, labor and social welfare for persons with disabilities.
• Undertake continuing research and related studies on various topics pertaining to disability prevention, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities.
• Formulate integrated and comprehensive long and medium-term national plans on the welfare of persons with disabilities.
• Establish and maintain linkages and networking with local and international organizations, including organization of and for persons with disabilities.
• Conduct program evaluation and monitoring, consultative meetings and symposia on issues related to disability prevention and rehabilitation.
• Propose legislation and initiate advocacy programs for the welfare of persons with disabilities.
• Develop a broad public information and dissemination program on disability prevention, rehabilitation, full participation and equalization of opportunities.
• Submit periodic reports to the DSWD Secretary on activities of the council.
• Establish and maintain a data bank and referral system on disability prevention, rehabilitation, full participation and equalization of opportunities.

1. To formulate and advocate policies according to internationally and nationally accepted standards in the areas of prevention of the causes of disability, rehabilitation and equalization of opportunities for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
2. To develop, promote and regularly review the national plan for the prevention, rehabilitation, full participation and equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities.
3. To coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of policies, plans and programs.
4. To advocate/promote respect for rights and privilege of Persons With Disabilities.

1. Maintains and strengthens coordination and networking with local government units, non-government organizations, people's organizations and other concerned agencies and get their commitment to implement programs in line with national and international mandates on disability;
2. Promotes the institutionalization of Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR), Non-Handicapping Environment (NHE), accessible Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for persons with disability as part of Web accessibility initiatives in the Philippines, Republic Act No. 9442 or the Amendment of the Magna Carta for the Disabled Persons, 1% budgetary allocation for persons with disability and older persons and other emerging disability trends and concerns;
3. Strengthens the Regional Committees for the Welfare of Disabled Persons as a structure for consultation and coordination through the provision of technical assistance and resource augmentation to link with local government units;
4. Intensifies advocacy in support of programs for persons with disability and other disability-related matters, i.e. education, skills development or training on ICT;
5. Monitors and assesses the implementation of the national and international mandates on disability in consultation with concerned government organizations, non-government organizations, people's organizations and local government units;[3]
6. Strengthens database on disability for policy formulation and program development.
7. Conducts policy review and consultation dialogues with different stakeholders, right holders and duty bearers in preparation for the participation on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.[4]

• Abilympics Philippines – This organization is in collaboration with NCDA. It aims to coordinate with various agencies to produce participants to compete in the International Abilympics (IA).[5]
• Asia-Pacific Center on Disability – NCDA is one of the focal organizations of APCD.[6]
• Autism Society Philippines – The ASP is a grassroots NGO, representing individuals on the autism spectrum and the families who care from them on various NCDA Sub-Committees and on the NCDA board.
• Digital Access for Information Systems – NCDA is one of the member organizations of DAISY Consortium.[7]
• Handicap International Philippines – NCDA is one of the partners of Handicap International, a funding agency.[8]
• Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf Foundation – MCCID provides trainings and supports other programs of NCDA through sub-committee on ICT.[9]
• Nova Foundation for Differently Abled Persons – Nova Foundation heads the NCDA sub-committee on ICT.
• Philippine Web Accessibility Group – NCDA initiates directly supervises and monitors the activities of PWAG.[10]
• Vision Office Limited, Canada – Vision Office conducts trainings for NCDA.[11]

• Philippines at the Summer Paralympics
• Paralympic Committee of the Philippines
• Phil Sports Federation of the Deaf

• National Council on Disability Affairs official website
• NCDA as attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development
• Asia-Pacific Center for Disability Country Profile for Status of Persons with Disabilities in the Philippines
• Executive Summary of Commission on Audit (Philippines) for NCWDP