A Proposed Vocational Training Center for Blind, Deaf, and Mute: Creating a Wholistically-

molded Facility through Empathic Design

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study/Overview

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are individuals who suffer from long-term physical, mental,
intellectual and/or sensory impairments; therefore, limiting their interactions and possible
contribution to the society. Disability is a complex phenomenon that happens to a person. They
are exceptional individuals with likes and dislikes, abilities, interests, and skills. According to the
World Health Organization (WHO), barriers are more than just the physical obstacles. There are
many factors which affects the living quality of PWDs such as inaccessible environment and public
transportation, lacks assistive devices, negative perception towards their disability, services, and
systems that hinder their participation in all areas of life.

In accordance to WHO, there are over a billion or about 15% of the world’s population have
disability. There is a probability that they’ll grow in numbers due to population increase and
ageing, and chronic health diseases.

People with disabilities are diverse group of people with extensive varieties of needs. The
related conditions to them are activity limitations and participation restrictions. Activity limitation
is a hindrance facing by an individual in performing a task or action; while a participation
restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in doing normal daily activities.

Some disabilities are hidden or hardly able to see therefore their social involvement is
unsatisfactory and low. PWDs are often times neglected in our society and discriminated, and
considered as marginalized. They receive limited healthcare services, education, and livelihood
opportunities.

According to a special Education (SPED) teacher, Maria Theresa Marquina, “Children with
disabilities are like butterflies with a broken wing. They are just as beautiful as all others, but they
need help to spread their wings.” Disability is not a hindrance. PWDs may lack in many different
A Proposed Vocational Training Center for Blind, Deaf, and Mute: Creating a Wholistically-
molded Facility through Empathic Design

ways like sensory or physical skills but they would strive to shine on their own. They are even
more capable than most normal people as they can do their job properly.

As the trend in unemployment arise so as the obstacles PWDs are facing especially on the
situation of our society now. Barriers present prevents PWDs in getting a job. They are
experiencing different issues and this urged the need of vocational center as the main foundation
of development to improve all walks of life.

The history of vocational training/rehabilitation was way back in the early 19th century. Perkins
Institute was the first rehabilitation that started in 1829 in Boston. In here, blind people were
trained in order for them to get into the manufacturing industry. There were very limited training
programs and eventually at the end of the century, more programs were introduced.

The proposed vocational training center seeks to give more meaningful life for PWDs. It can
guarantee that they can acquire all the skills needed for them to live as a normal person. Many
people won’t understand the rights of the disabled regardless of what they can contribute to the
society. Disability shouldn’t be the cause of one’s failure. The function of this vocational school
is to give them opportunities to experience the life that is given to them. This will be provided with
facilities that can accommodate their disabilities in preparation for the workplace and having an
independent life.

The location of the project is in the City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. It is called as ‘The
Rising City.’ One of its vision is to provide basic necessities for PWDs. With their growing
population and current economic problems happening in the country, it has become quite necessary
that they contribute for the country’s economic growth.

The proposed vocational training center will be an exploratory project to encourage other
people to send their children to such development and to mold more competent PWDs. They will
be provided with facilities wherein they will be prepared for integration to the mainstream.
A Proposed Vocational Training Center for Blind, Deaf, and Mute: Creating a Wholistically-
molded Facility through Empathic Design

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The researcher listed below the problems to be studied to come up with strategies for the
proposed project.

MAJOR PROBLEM GOAL

What design solutions could create a The main goal of this research is to create
wholistically-molded environment for Blind, movements in design that would embrace the
Deaf, and Mute? complexity and distribution of diversified
people as a result of empathic environment.

1.3 Goal and Objectives

MINOR PROBLEMS OBJECTIVES

1. What design will engage blind, deaf, A facility where they can perform essential
and mute individuals to participate tasks.
actively? Strategies:
- Provision of flexible classroom
spaces
- By improving their built
environment
- Provision of B.P. 344
2. How will the project increase A facility that offers a training center and a
economic empowerment? place to work.
Strategies:
- By integrating accessible space for
easy navigation
- By designing an area for preparation
in acquiring social and training skills
A Proposed Vocational Training Center for Blind, Deaf, and Mute: Creating a Wholistically-
molded Facility through Empathic Design

- By integrating proper planning that

will help a student to adapt
3. What design approach would let A facility that will assist each individual with
Blind, Deaf, and Mute feel that they their disabilities.
belong in the society? Strategies:
- Study their strength and weaknesses
to improve quality of living
- To provide higher quality of
educational facilities
- By integrating aesthetically PWD-
friendly place.
- By integrating therapeutic spaces for
healing.

1.4 Definition of the Project

A vocational school focuses on students that help them prepare and train for their specific
careers. Vocational school is referred to us as trade schools, technical schools or career schools
which offer a career focused to many students. This can be helpful for the workforce that the
student is interested in.

The proposed vocational school will serve as the learning center that opens employment
opportunities for the PWDs. It has amenities and facilities fit to make them comfortable enough to
interact with others and accommodate their basic needs. It offers training programs with levels,
depending on what they could and could not do. Having this learning, working, and interaction
place would change the perspective of not only PWDs in the society, but also its people. The
vocational training center will reduce the stigma of an abled and disabled persons. Integrating them
in the society will make them productive member of the community rather than being a burden to
others.
A Proposed Vocational Training Center for Blind, Deaf, and Mute: Creating a Wholistically-
molded Facility through Empathic Design

The proposed vocational training center offers a step by step learning process wherein they
will be oriented first considering their capabilities and limitations. In order for these to work, it
requires proper guidance from trained teachers. It will also accept PWDs who weren’t able to study
and wants to have a vocational course and for those who are still having difficulties. They will
have an Alternative Learning System where basic learning is taught.

This project will serve as a training ground for learning. Provided with classrooms that caters
different programs. Recreational areas as part of their social interaction and healing. It will also
have an accommodation for PWDs who wished to study but struggling to go to school. They will
be provided with commercial area where they can use the training skills acquired.

This study aims to provide a vocational school that would accommodate PWDs that are willing
to work; increase the work rate in the Philippines with the help of PWDs, boosting its economic
growth; and plan and design a vocational school were PWDs can showcase what they are capable
of even with impairments. This project’s targeted users are the ones with sensory impairment such
as deaf, mute, and blind. As the sensory impaired individuals has higher potential in terms of
workforce.

1.5 Research Focus

Empathic Design

Empathic design is the most difficult simple approach to successful design. It is where you observe
the situations or problems around you without hesitating. It is also called user-centered design.
Designing a space or anything that concerns the needs of the users. It is focusing on the feelings
of who will use this approach.

A simple space that is designed with empathy could change the quality of life for a student at
school. Persons with disabilities are the most vulnerable members of society, empathic design will
cater to the special needs of PWDs.
A Proposed Vocational Training Center for Blind, Deaf, and Mute: Creating a Wholistically-
molded Facility through Empathic Design

1.6 Scope and Limitation

1.7 Significance of the Research

A. Importance to the Architectural Community

As an Architecture student, the researcher aims to contribute to the architectural community; (1)
to provide a designed facility for the growth of different skilled PWDs, (2) to offer a facility
that will accommodate different types of disability for learning and healing.

B. Importance to the Community

The researchers aims to provide a study that will contribute to the community: (1) to
accommodate the growing numbers of unemployed PWDs, (2) to increase awareness among the
community about the present conditions of PWDs, (3) to serve as a training ground that will
enhance their skills and abilities and increase economic activity.

1.8 Definition of Terms