Vision and Hearing Screening Pilot Activity in the Philippines

The study aimed to address the low school enrollment and high dropout rates of children with disabilities in low and middle-income countries. Key drivers of this issue include socio-cultural barriers, limitations in the operationalization of national policies, and lack of materials and resources. The study identified several gaps in the current evidence base, including the need for widely adopted, validated screening and measurement tools for disabilities that can be adapted to local context. Research on learning outcomes of students with different disabilities and severity levels, as well as causal models that can underpin the plausibility of interventions addressing barriers to inclusive education, is also necessary. Additionally, cost-effectiveness research into different models of inclusion is required. The study focused on vision and hearing screening, with the goal of determining whether selected screening tools can appropriately and reliably detect children with vision and hearing difficulties within the Filipino context. The necessary conditions to effectively administer the selected tools were also investigated. Furthermore, the study aimed to assess whether the screening tools can be effectively used by teachers in the Philippines to screen and detect students with vision and hearing difficulties. The study's objectives included sharing approaches and lessons from the screening pilot, sensitizing participants to important considerations in the selection of screening tools and approaches based on purpose, context, and resources, and disseminating the findings of the study. The study's methodology involved the use of mobile technology for sensory disability screening, with field experiences from the Philippines. The study's background and procedures were informed by the demonstrated commitment to inclusion by the Department of Education and the commitment by USAID/Philippines to support the country's education development and inclusion agenda. Emerging international evidence of a potentially higher than 15% disability prevalence rate, advancements in disability measurement and screening approaches, and emerging international evidence of practical approaches to addressing drivers of low school enrollment and limited implementation of inclusive education were also considered. The study's findings and recommendations will inform the development of inclusive education policies and practices in the Philippines, with the goal of improving the educational outcomes of children with disabilities. The study's results will also contribute to the global evidence base on inclusive education and disability, with implications for policy and practice in low and middle-income countries.