Figure 1
This conceptual framework was developed to represent the experience of persons with disabilities from the time they are made aware of the law and its benefits, to applying for P W D I D, to accessing its benefits. The leftmost column lists the key stakeholders involved in the implementation of the law. The second to fourth columns then detail the processes in the implementation of the law, with those within solid borders depicting the ideal and those within broken borders depicting departures from ideal. For persons with disabilities, they ideally should be aware of the law, its stipulations and benefits, the requirements and processes to apply for a P W D I D, and accessing benefits. However, they may lack awareness or there could be physical and communication barriers that could affect how they apply and access disability benefits. For healthcare workers, they should ideally have awareness of the law and their role in the process of applying for a P W D I D. They conduct screening and issuance of medical certification for patients with disabilities, and monitor the condition of the patient to ensure that they are entitled to their benefits. However, they could lack awareness, and could be forced to ethical dilemmas if they are co-opted in fraudulent applications. Local government social workers should also ideally be aware of their role in the processing of P W D I D application, they should screen and approve applications, and monitor proper provision of disability benefits by business establishments. However, these may be stymied by complex application processes and lack of monitoring of provision of disability benefits by business establishments. Lastly, business establishments should ideally be aware on their role in providing disability benefits and provide them to customers presenting a P W D I D; however, they may not be aware of the provisions of the law or their staff were not properly trained, which results to the inconsistent provision of benefits. These are all affected by stigma and the prevailing biomedical model of disability as seen by Philippine society.Conceptual framework of the study