[ SC CIRCULAR NO. 46-95, September 18, 1995 ]

[ SC CIRCULAR NO. 46-95, September 18, 1995 ]

[ SC CIRCULAR NO. 46-95, September 18, 1995 ]

Untitled Document OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR

TO :

ALL JUDGES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS IN CITIES, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS AND MEMBERS OF THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES

SUBJECT: ACCESIBILITY OF COURTROOMS TO DISABLED PERSONS

Quoted hereunder is a letter from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons:

"The Inter-Agency Committee of Accesibility (IACA), created by the National Council of the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP) Governing Board, is tasked to coordinate with agencies/departments in the monitoring and enforcement of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Batas Pambansa Blg. 344, also known as the Accesibility Law.

"During a recent accesibility meeting attended by the undersigned, we have been informed that hearing of court cases involving persons with disabilities, especially the wheelchair borne, are being conducted in the second or upper floors (above the ground floor) of the Halls of Justice Buildings. This report have been confirmed by the KAMPI, We understand that the building housing the courtrooms, mostly consist of 2-3 floors only, and are not required to provide elevators for vertical transportation. This condition therefore affects the mobility and access of disabled person on wheelchair, during hearings of cases that take place in the upper floor courtrooms.

" x x x

(Signed) "Arch, J. C. Marquez, FUAP "Chairman "INter-Agency Committee on Accesibility"

"WHEREFORE, in line with the effort of the government to provide disabled persons the opportunity of fully exercise their rights and perform their duties is society, judges should take the proper measures to fully realize the policy set forth with the view of providing disabled persons convenient access to courtrooms holding sessions, if absolutely necessary, on the ground floor or court houses.

September 18, 1995.

(SGD.) ERNANI CRUZ PANO

Court Administrator