Learners with disabilities deserve equal access to education and full participation in society, educators and local officials said as they marked National Disability Rights Week in Dagupan City.

West Central Elementary School 1, which has more than 180 learners enrolled in its Special Needs Education (SNED) program, joined the observance by holding activities for students in partnership with the local government.

Dr. Leah Surot, the school's SNED coordinator, said the celebration aims to reinforce the rights of children with disabilities, including their right to learn and take part in community life.

"Para maipakita natin na karapatan nilang mag-aral, karapatan nilang mag-participate sa society. Sa lahat ng aspeto dito sa bansa natin, may participation sila," she said.

Authorities said disabilities generally fall into four categories: physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional, and sensory disabilities.

Many of the students enrolled in the school's SNED program have autism spectrum disorder, which is classified as a developmental disability.

Surot said learners with autism often face challenges in interacting with other people, prompting teachers to focus on helping them develop social and behavioral skills.

"Social skills, 'yun ang difficulty nila. They cannot deal with you or other people. Behavior modification ang ginagawa namin," she said.

Among the students in the program is the nephew of Jesusa Rosario from Barangay Carael. Rosario said she and her family have taken on the role of raising the child after he was orphaned.

She said caring for a child with a disability requires love and patience.

"Pagmamahal, pasensiya… Wala namang magmamahal sa kaniya kundi kami-kami lang din," she said.

The school, together with the Dagupan City government, organized activities for SNED learners as part of the National Disability Rights Week celebration to promote inclusion and raise awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities.