I am a statistician by profession, and I have been working for more than 7 years in the field of research and statistics. I landed my first job as Statistician in the Department of Labor and Employment-National Labor Relations Commission and after 7 months of stay, A financing firm offered me a job as Company Statistician which I immediately grabbed. After 2 years of employment, I saw a vacancy in the newspaper that a prestigious university is looking of a Statistician and so I sent my application. Now I am attached to Arellano University for almost 5 years (July 2) as the University Statistician.
Prior to my employment to these companies/agencies, I have been a freelance statistician where I have catered students who are taking up their Bachelor's degree of different courses from the different Colleges and Universities in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Later on, through referrals, I have been consulted by some doctors, surgeon and OB Gynecologist from the different hospitals in Metro Manila and other provinces. How lucky I am that my wings can able to reach those persons who are, in turn, became my clients. Because of my exposures to Statistical Consulting, I have decided to make and build my own advertisements regarding the services which I am offering, until one day, a group of doctors and nurses from Saudi Arabia and Australia contacted me to help them with their researches. I was surprised because I was starting to tap the International market in Statistical Consulting. Not only that, I have clients before in Korea, Canada, Tibet and Nigeria. At the moment, I am now into an online consultant via https://www.odesk.com/users/~~bda9e98f31070da3.
Despite of my experiences, and exposures to research and statistics, it is not enough to prove that I am capable and have the ability to work as normal people can, still, I felt a big discrimination.
I am a Physically challenged individual, YES!. I am using my crutches in all my undertakings. I am using crutches everytime I go work, I go to mall and everywhere. It's not easy for me to do that but as a person of courage and determination, I know, I can. Last March 22, me and my friend visited Malaysia and Singapore for pleasure and Trip. It was one among my dream. Going abroad is not easy for someone like me. I need to have a strong determination and courage to do that, "Lakas ng Loob" is all I need. Lucky I am to have lots of friend. Imagine, I was able to ride in one of the Extreme Rides at Universal Studio in Singapore, the Cylon, Human, The Mummy, and the like. At first, the person in-charge of the those rides are hesitant to allow me because of my disability, but they still end up allowing me. I am happy that they were just considering my safety and they don't discriminate me. It was a wonderful experience.
In the country where I am - PHILIPPINES. I am so sad that discrimination is very high. We all know that we have a MAGNA CARTA for DISABLE and included in that law is the Right to Public Transportation. There are so many jeepneys, buses, taxis, etc and I am saddened because I am sometimes struggling to call them. They don't want to stop. This is the reason why I sometimes going home late, in fact, there was a time that I went home at around 12 midnight and I have no choice than to ride a taxi. There are some taxi drivers who are asking additional payment other than the meter rate. I remember during Christmas of 2010, I went to a mall to buy gifts for christmas party, at around 9 in the evening, I decided to ride in a TAXI (BASIC TAXI) in Ortigas. While we were on our way home, the taxi driver asked me to add additional 50 pesos aside from the mandated additional of 10 pesos. I was scared with his voice and I said "OK".
Another thing is the ELEVATOR access to a high rise building. There are buildings with more than 4 floors which has no elevator access. The LRT and MRT like in BONI Avenue, Pureza Station and other station have elevator, BUT it was not working. YES, I visited lately the BONI statition after 6 years, and still CLOSE. How could fly so I can reach the station.
With regards to the Underpass or overpass, I think, it's obvious, It is not easy for us to pass through other lane by passing through the underpass or overpass. It's good for the safety of many commuters/passersby, but hopefully, the government should think alternative ways for disable who can't go upstairs or downstairs like those using wheelchairs.
RIGHT To Employment, according to our law, a government should allot, at least 5% of its manpower to disabled.
For the past years, I also encountered different forms of discrimination. Way back 2009, I decided to apply in a bank (RCBC), I took the test and Interview and I passed, the last interviewer told me that he can't accept me for the position because of my disability. The interviewer is doubtful that I can deliver my services and can perform my duties and responsibilities as statistician. In the end, I went home with a very sad face. :(.. I ask myself, is there really a need for me to walk normally before I can perform the job and responsibilities as STATISTICIAN?.. I did not insist, because the decision is for them.
Months after, I decided to apply in an agency for Statistician position in Saudi Arabia. I am happy that they called me for an Interview. When I was there, the interviewer of the agency called me and tell me that I they can't able to accommodate me because the employer does not allow disable to work for them. For me, its alright, and I understand if that is the case. I don't have an idea regarding the working environment in Saudi Arabia. My point is that, I have included in my resume and I declared my Physical Condition. I insist to them this declaration, but the agency manager told me that they were not able to read that declaration in my resume. This kind of discrimination happened twice.
But I don't loose hope, I am continue applying for Job in Saudi Arabia. One day, a call from that country caught my attention and they were telling me that they received my application for Statistician positin in Al Noor Hospital. After few months, the director of Research Department called me just to informed that they are in the process of hiring me. He even congratulates and welcomed me. They already sent the Job Order. And the last thing I need to do is to go directly to the agency in the Country. I went to the agency, and after a week, there was no response at all. I called them up, and they told me that the employer Freeze the hiring and changed their mind in hiring a statistician. What I did, I called the hospital directly and explain my part. The person I'm talking said that they did not discriminate disable person because the job I am applying for does not need much to use my legs. He told me to coordinate with the embassy and so I did. After a month, the embassy told me that they don't discriminate, all I need to do is to fill-up a form, stating my physical condition. I presented it to the agency, but the agency told me, that it is our government embassy is prohibiting disabled person to work abroad. The agency told me, "mahihirapan kami sa embassy natin na payagan ka umalis at mag-work sa ibang bansa kasi may kapansanan ka". To my dismay, I did not apply again to the agency.
3 weeks ago, another agency called me for an interview. and they requested me to appear personally for an interview. I called them first and told them my concern and my situation. The personnel named SHARON, told me wait for a minutes because she needs to ask her manager. I waited for her call but I received no feedback so I called her back. Like the usual, they don't allow disable.
