The Filipino Sign Language Act in the Philippines: Policy Analysis

Author

Angela Rogers, Gallaudet University

Date of Award

Spring 5-15-2020

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

David Penna

Second Advisor

Brendan Stern

Abstract

Passed in 2018, the Filipino Sign Language Act provides full access for Deaf Filipinos in the Philippines and fully recognizes the Filipino Sign Language as a national sign language for the Deaf. This benefits analysis identifies objectives concerning all areas of public life--such as medicine, education, civic and government affairs, employment, television news access, and other media access--and compares this broad law to the narrowly focused preceding policy, Republic Act no. 10905. The law contains an implementation timeline and requires reporting; yet, evidence shows some implementations but no reporting. To explore these findings, interviews were conducted with two Filipinos at Gallaudet, one Deaf, and one hearing, and three Deaf Filipinos in the Philippines. Results confirm the improvement of services and access resulting from the Filipino Sign Language Act. Providing some insight, the interviews suggest that the Filipino government still needs to work on implementing the Filipino Sign Language Act to the fullest extent, thus allowing the Deaf Filipinos a wider range of opportunities to access public and government institutions.

Recommended Citation

Rogers, Angela, "The Filipino Sign Language Act in the Philippines: Policy Analysis" (2020). Undergraduate University Honors Capstones. 73.
https://ida.gallaudet.edu/honors_capstones/73