MODULE 9 Activity

1. Choose one of the social justice issues in computing discussed above and find out to what extent it is an issue in the Philippines. Then find out what is being done to address it in specific countries. For example, in the case of the digital divide due to language differences, Soriano reports the adoption of the Unicode Standard, “a character coding system designed to support the word wide interchange, processing, and display of the written tests of the diverse languages of the modern world.” Developed extended and promoted by a non- profit organization, the Unicode Consortium (www.unicode.org), the Unicode Standard makes international communication easier.

3. CURRENT SITUATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
3.18 Access to Information and Communication

A Philippine Dictionary of Signs was developed in 1999, including VHS tapes, which is used to standardize sign language for Filipinos with hearing impairments. The Dictionary was funded through a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and is circulated in schools and organizations of the deaf and other interest parties. Two national television programs in the country provide sign language interpretation, which include interpreters during national events, conferences and meetings. Closed caption television sets and films with subtitles for people with hearing impairments as well as telecommunication devices (TDD) for people with hearing impairments are available. . Interregional Seminar and Demonstration Workshop on Accessible Information and Communication Technologies for Persons with Disabilities. The workshop was held in March 2003 with the theme "Empowering Persons with Disabilities through IT". The event was funded by UN-DESA in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, the United Nations Development Program and the Department of Foreign Affairs. Two documents were produced as a result of the workshop, "Manila Declaration on Accessible ICT" and Manila Accessible ICT Design Recommendations". Resources for the Blind Inc., (RBI) is a non profit charitable organization that was formed in 1988 to provide a full spectrum of services to blind people throughout the Philippines. Dr. Lown, Director of RBI, translated the Bible into a Tagalog (Filipino) Braille version along with other dialects as well as cassette and large print Bibles. According to the RBI, a half million Filipinos are blind and that the conventional methods of producing Braille materials were not adequate to meet the required needs. Through RBI's Philippine Braille Technology Center, computer technology using small computer driven Braille embossers, has aided in the production of up to one million pages of Braille a year. Through this technology and RBI's resources, they produce two magazines, Insight and Double Yum, which are the only Braille periodicals produced in the Philippines for the blind. Insight Magazine is written for blind adults and is sent out six times a year to 600 Braille subscribers and 100 cassette tape subscribers. Each issue contains tips and techniques for living with blindness, news about the latest technology for the blind, and articles about blind people who are gainfully employed. Each issue contains scripture portions in English, Tagalog, Cebuano, Hiliganyon, and Ilocano dialects. In order to encourage Braille reading skills among children, RBI produces a biweekly Braille childrens reader titled Double Yum. This magazine is sent out to 600 blind children and to classes for blind children around the country. Additionally, RBI provides approximately 5,000 Braille textbooks each year to students. According to RBI, specialized equipment and materials needed by blind people are not readily available in the Philippines. To help meet the needs, RBI imports many items needed by the blind including Braille writing slates, white mobility canes, talking watches, talking calculators, talking blood pressure kits, talking thermometers, Braille typewriters, and special software and hardware to allow a blind person use a computer.

SOURCE: http://www.apcdproject.org/countryprofile/philippines/situation.html

2. Is denial of access in computing a social justice issue? Discuss your answer.

Denial of access in computing can be considered as social injustice issue because this will give interruption of the legal users. From the given definition of denial of access it shows unethical way of using services and from the given definition of social justice, it refers to the promotion of the welfare of the people, in that situation social justice is in reverse of denial of access. It is expected that all staff or members of the company or institution will use resources and facilities in accordance with laws and company or institution rules. Failure to fulfill these responsibilities may lead to the cancellation of your computer account(s), other disciplinary action by the company or institution referral to legal and law enforcement agencies. In that situation social injustice involved. Creating a computer malfunction or interruption of operation or any means of harmful access will lead to denial of access.