Helping Priorities

Francis Olivia A. Mijares & Carleen Nemenzo Sacris

Introduction
What does it means to have SPED as pro-humanity? In order to gain more insight,
we dissect the term pro-humanity. PRO is the prefix, „for‟, whereas the word
HUMANITY is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as:
1. Human beings collectively; the human race
2. Condition, quality, or fact of being human; humaneness
3. The quality of being humane; benevolence
4. A humane quality or action

Thus, for SPED to be pro-humanity, it adopts to a certain mindset that:

1. SPED is for the human race;
2. SPED recognizes the humaneness in each being;
3. SPED is characterized by benevolence; and
4. SPED techniques and strategies adapt a humane quality or action

Rationale
This thought evolves from the belief that society is ready to take one more step
towards the advocacy of SPED. Indeed, we have come a long way from being ignorant
and indifferent of the special needs of exceptional individuals. The present community
espouses a certain tolerance of these individuals. This paper would like to discuss the
need for a new level of acceptance for this sector of society: a pro-humanity response.

The levels of responses to an individual with special needs (ISN) vary from apathy
to tolerance to a true valuing of people. Apathy is from the Greek word apatheia that
means “without feeling.” This denotes that anyone who is apathetic is “uninterested.”
Therefore, there would be no interaction between individuals with and without special
needs. This kind of interaction stems from sheer ignorance and feelings of either
superiority or inferiority, and manifests because of the basic instinct of humans for self-
preservation. Apathy can be communicated through callousness, avoidance and belittling
or bullying. It has a negative effect on both the ISN and the agent and the community at
large. All of which are de-humanizing and builds the image of the ISN as people to be
excluded from society,
 Tolerance is from the Latin word, tolerare or “to bear.” It is the capacity for or
practice of recognizing and respecting the opinions, practices or behavior of others. It can
also be defined as a leeway for variation from a standard; or the permissible deviation
from a specified value of structural dimension. This stems from the intelligence to acquire
information ISN because of the natural instinct to protect and champion them. Of course,
the intent is to pave the way for more people with special needs to be accepted and
some efforts are manifested in awareness campaigns, SPED programs and supporting
projects that include ISNs. The mindset, however can pave the way for marginalization
or the clustering into sectors of society, The ISN gains a basic understanding that they
must adapt to those and around them. Tolerance allows us to live with one another
peacefully, It is a necessary step in order for the community at large to accept the ISN
fully but we must prepare ourselves to go further in order for us to realize our dream of
inclusion – one world, one earth.

Pro-humanity, being “humankind” in general, leads to dynamic interaction

amongst people because of the belief that ever because of the belief that everyone has
special needs. It draws energy from spiritual strength wherein the base of all is love.
Here, SPED aspires to develop not only the ISN but also the society at large, one person
at a time, It is true advocacy that espouses the total inclusion of the ISN in all aspects of
life; believing that they are contributing members of society, thus, equal. This mindset
liberates all members of the community for each becomes more self-aware. The effect on
the ISN could be a decision to reach out because they are full-time, contributing members
of society. This mindset liberates all members of the community for each becomes more
self-aware. The effect on the ISN could be a decision to reach out because they are full-
time, contributing members of society. It would be then that everyone would feel that
SPED empowers.

Different Levels Of Acceptance Of An Individual with Special Needs

APATHY TOLERANCE PRO-HUMANITY
Interaction Inactive; dead One-sided; want for Two-way; consistent;
change and equality creative; dynamic
Assumptions of Ignorance; feelings Intelligence to Spiritual strength;
Where the of superiority and/or acquire information knowledge; “everyone
Response Stems inferiority about ISN: “to fight is unique”
From for”
Motivation of Self-preservation; Protection of a Acceptance of self; self-
the Agent fear; ignorance loved-one; pity; actualization/knowledge
need to give
Methods callousness advocacy true advocacy
do nothing awareness dialogue
 look away doing good direct action
avoidance to the ISN prayer
belittling inclusion of
bullying people with
takes special needs in
advantage all aspects of life
Effects De-humanizing marginalized liberation

Teaching appropriate social skills and proper utilization of community resources

The concept of normalization asserts that a child must be afforded the same
opportunities as regular individuals in all aspects of society. To achieve this, it is necessary
to equip the child with the appropriate skills that will allow him to relate to relate to his
peers and the rest of the community. Achievement of these skills would mean developing
socially-acceptable behavior. It also aims to teach the child the different resources
available in his community and how to utilize them fully. Teaching these skills and giving
awareness to the child about the community intends to help him build his confidence in
interacting with people.

Participating in community, youth or religious activities

Allow the child to actively participate in as many community activities possible.
This will not only expose him to different types of people, but also to varied situations,
that will surely enrich his life. Encourage him to join in sports events, community parties,
church choirs, holiday events like caroling or the Sta. Cruzan, barangay-sponsored events
and the like. Exposing him to diverse circumstances will provide him a wider realm of
experience.

Similarly, the child should be involved in civic responsibilities such as maintaining

cleanliness in the community, tree-planting and the like as these are important social
functions which the child, as part of the community, should not be exempted from.

Understanding the Filipino special child within the context of poverty

We as helpers should remember that the majority of the Filipino population came from
the middle to lower classes. it is, therefore, important that we understand the socio-
economic background of the child so that planning for programs and activities would
take this into consideration. We must address the needs of the child within the context of
the community where he lives in. intervention programs should suit the capabilities f the
child and the resources available so that realistic services may be developed and
sustained.
 Organizing and networking with different support groups for parents and families
Support groups lend assistance in different areas of need for parents, families and other
concerned individuals working with the child. these groups help in the advocacy of
special children in the community as well as provide psychological and emotional
support to the parents and families.

Collaborating with support-service givers

We recognize the contributions of all professionals in upholding the perspective
that each child, more so a special one, is everybody‟s responsibility. No one profession
can claim that it can provide all the services needed by the child. These groups help in
the advocacy of special children in the community as well as provide psychological and
emotional support to the parents and families.

Collaborating with support-service givers

We recognize the contributions of all professionals in upholding the perspective
that each child, more so a special one, is everyone‟s responsibility. No one profession can
claim that it can provide all the services needed by the child. Networking is, therefore, of
utmost importance gathering together a pool of specialists to help the child.

Collaborating with the business sector and advocating employment of special people in
the community
Part of the program developed specifically for the special child is preparation for
employment. To develop a close circuit of services for the individual with special needs,
we must also advocate for their employment in the community through collaboration
with the business sector.

Utilizing enlightened media support for an enlightened community

Awareness of the presence and nature of persons with special needs in the
community is the first step to acceptance. People tend to fear or reject things they do not
understand, Through the help of an enlightened media, let us show the community that
there is nothing to fear, that it is only the acceptance of our diversity can we truly be
considered a humane society.

Implementing ordinances and laws that safeguard the welfare and rights of special
children
There are existing ordinances and laws that address the welfare of persons with
special needs, but these have yet to be fully implemented. We can, therefore, raise the
awareness of these laws to empower ourselves and strive for better conditions for our
special children.