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Visual Impairment

The document discusses the qualifications for a Persons with Disability (PWD) ID card in the Philippines according to the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA). It clarifies that to qualify for low vision, one must have a best corrected visual acuity of 20/70 or worse in their better eye, and to qualify as legally blind the acuity must be 20/200 or worse. Specialists further explain that only individuals whose poor vision cannot be improved with glasses, contacts lenses, medication or surgery are eligible for the PWD ID card and its benefits.

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583 views2 pages

Visual Impairment

The document discusses the qualifications for a Persons with Disability (PWD) ID card in the Philippines according to the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA). It clarifies that to qualify for low vision, one must have a best corrected visual acuity of 20/70 or worse in their better eye, and to qualify as legally blind the acuity must be 20/200 or worse. Specialists further explain that only individuals whose poor vision cannot be improved with glasses, contacts lenses, medication or surgery are eligible for the PWD ID card and its benefits.

Uploaded by

Tin Causaren-Gertos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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There are seven (7) categories that qualify for a PWD ID:

 Physical/Orthopedic Disability
 Visual Impairment
 Hearing Impairment
 Speech Impairment
 Intellectual Disability
 Psychosocial Disability

PWD ID holders are entitled to several benefits and privileges:

 20% discounts & 12% VAT exemption on certain transactions including


medical services and even tollway fees
 5% discount on basic necessities
 Education assistance
 Government benefits including P15,000 worth of benefits from PhilHealth
 Free movies, VIP parking
 Opportunities for employment
 Express or priority lanes in both commercial and government establishments
 Protection against verbal and non-verbal ridicule and vilification

NCDA clarifies

The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) has issued a statement to clarify
the qualifications under “visual impairment.”

According to Department of Health Administrative Order 2009-0011 and NCDA


Board Resolution No. 1 Series of 2006:

“Visual Disability is defined as one who has impairment of visual functioning even after
treatment and/or standard refractive correction, and has a visual acuity of the better
eye of less than 20/70 for Low Vision and or worse than 20/200 for Blind, or a visual of
less than 10 degrees from the point of Fixation.

A certain level of visual Impairment is defined as Legal Blindness. One is Legally Blind
when your best corrected central visual acuity in your better eye is 20/200 or worse or
your side vision is 20 dress or less in the better eye”.

This means people who has the 20/70 and 20/200 visual acuity with the best corrected
vision and even with eyeglasses or contact lenses on are considered with Low Vision and
Legally Blind respectively. Thus, they are considered as Persons with Visual Disability and
qualify for a Persons with Disability ID Card.

Carmen Reyes Zubiaga, the OIC executive director of NCDA has cautioned the
public to be more mindful when applying for the PWD ID. “Siguraduhin niyo po kayo
ay may disability at hindi basta sakit lang," she said.

Specialists explain

St. Luke’s Eye Institute Global City has posted their clarification stating, “In order to
be qualified for a PWD (person with disability) ID card and its benefits, individuals with
VISUAL DISABILITY must have 20/70 best corrected visual acuity on the better eye to be
labeled LOW VISION, and 20/200 visual acuity on the better eye to be labeled LEGALLY
BLIND.”

The Philippine Blind Union also urged the public to be cautious in asking for a PWD
ID for visual impairment. They said, “Hindi po baseham ang grado para mabigyan ng
PWD ID. Ang basehan po ay ang visual acuity/visual field. Pakitandaan na ang visual
impairment/disability ay hindi napapalinaw ng salamin at contact lenses.”

Dra. Grace Adriano of Allied Care Experts Medical Center gave a more detailed
explanation:
“Only persons with poor vision that cannot be corrected with spectacles, contact lenses,
medication or surgery are eligible for a PWD Card.”

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