CLARK FREEPORT -- A shopping mall in Olongapo City recently held a seminar on handling persons with disabilities (PWDs).
SM Olongapo Central held the “Seminar on Handling Customers with Special Needs” to equip its employees, tenants, agencies and affiliates the knowledge so they can be comfortable in interacting with PWDs.
The recent seminar on “How to Recognize and Handle Children with Special Needs” especially those in the Autism Spectrum Disorder was discussed by Dr. David Calapatia, vice president of the Autism Society Olongapo Chapter.
“We are happy and thankful to SM for helping out in spreading awareness and giving out information on how to handle differently-abled persons,” Calapatia said.
Meanwhile, Millette Sarmiento, special education coordinator Gordon Heights I Elementary Special Education Center, discussed the topic “The Basics: Interacting with People with Disabilities.”
“It’s better to call them differently abled because though they look differently, act differently, still they have traits and abilities,” Sarmiento said.
In an aim to provide service that welcomes people with disabilities and better service to everyone, SM Supermalls established the SM Committee on Disability Affairs under SM Cares that led to partnerships with disabled groups that focus on the needs of the disabled.
Through this effort, SM malls have become PWD-friendly.
SM provides facilities like PWD ramps, toilet with handlebars, counters which are accessible to wheelchairs, elevator with braille dots, exclusive comfort rooms for PWDs, and PWD employees onboard.