BAMBANG PWD ASSOCIATION INC.
(AKKAPP PWD Bambang)
www.fb.com/AKKAPPPWDBambang
<
[email protected]>
3
Cognizant Ph Skills Development Training For Bambang PWD 2025
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY :
On August 30, 2025, Bambang PWD Association, Inc., in successful partnership with Cognizant Philippines,
conducted a half-day Skill Development Training for its members and their guardians. The event, held at the
Caloocan Room in Cognizant Giga Tower, aimed to provide selected Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and
guardians with foundational digital literacy skills to enhance their personal and professional capabilities. The
training was met with enthusiastic participation and positive feedback, successfully achieving its objectives
of education, empowerment, and inclusion.
RATIONALE AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK:
The training was in line with national and international mandates promoting the rights and inclusion of
Persons with Disabilities.
• United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD): The activity
directly supports Article 9 (Accessibility), Article 19 (Living independently and being included in
the community), and Article 27 (Work and employment) of the UNCRPD, which the Philippines
ratified in 2008. It emphasizes the right of PWDs to participate fully in all aspects of society,
including the digital economy.
• Republic Act No. 7277 (Magna Carta for Persons with Disability): As amended by R.A. 9442
and R.A. 10754, this law mandates the State to provide PWDs with opportunities for skills training
to develop their capabilities and uplift their economic and social status. This training is a direct
response to that mandate.
In addition, it is also in line with Bambang PWD Association’s objective: “Reduce dependency of Persons
with Disabilities by empowering them and their Families”. By developing their skills and capabilities, they
can be more empowered and less dependent.
This initiative by Cognizant Philippines exemplifies Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that is strategic,
impactful, and aligned with global sustainability goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8
(Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM :
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Bambang community, and indeed across the Philippines, often face
significant barriers to economic participation and social inclusion. A primary obstacle is the digital divide—
the gap between those who have access to modern information and communication technology and the skills
to use it, and those who do not. This problem is characterized by:
1. Lack of Access: Many PWDs have limited physical and financial access to computer equipment and
internet connectivity.
2. Lack of Training: There is a scarcity of dedicated, accessible, and free training programs designed
to cater to the unique learning needs of PWDs and their guardians.
3. Economic Disadvantage: Without digital literacy skills, PWDs are excluded from a wide range of
educational, entrepreneurial, and employment opportunities in an increasingly digital world,
perpetuating cycles of dependency and poverty.
This training was designed to directly address these specific challenges.