Roadshow set in Dumaguete to prepare PWDs for 2013 elections

By Jennifer C. Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Aug 28 (PIA) -- The Foundation for Communication Initiatives, Inc. (FOCI) is set to hold a Fully Abled Nation (FAN) Day national roadshow in September in Dumaguete City to increase active participation of persons with disabilities in 2013 elections. 

FOCI Managing Director Criselle Capistrano said the FAN advocacy campaign is implemented by the Asia Foundation (TAF) with the support from Disability-Inclusive Elections program of Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). 

FOCI will visit key cities in the country where PWD concentrations are located that include Legazpi, Cotabato, Davao, La Union, Iloilo, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Dumaguete City. 

The foundation will collaborate with PWDs, disabled peoples organizations (DPOs), the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), and other elections-focused NGOs to increase awareness of the Comelec and local government units (LGU) on the needs and concerns of PWDs, as well as to promote their participation in elections and other democratic processes, said Capistrano. 

The activity will also provide technical assistance on advocacy strategies, financial management, volunteer management, and media training for DPOs and NGOs working with PWDs to enhance their participation in the next year’s elections and also develop PWD responsive election materials. 

The foundation urged stakeholders to participate in the FAN Day to present proposals to the Comelec especially on easy access to registration sites and polling places for PWDs to reduce or remove constraints that PWD voters face to freely exercise their rights. 

The FAN Day will be opened with a disability-sensitivity workshop to be followed by a media interaction. (MBCN/JCT-PIA Negros Oriental)