Autism Society PH Calls Out Candidates, Supporters Using Disability Slurs In Campaigns

The heat is on as the campaign period of the 2022 national elections officially started last February 8.

Candidates and their supporters have stepped up efforts to win votes, even to the point of engaging in trash talk. Some of them use words that purposely demean their targets but actually discriminate against certain sectors in society.

People with disabilities, including those who fall under the autism spectrum disorder, are oftentimes the recipient of discriminatory remarks, or slurs. Thus, the Autism Society Philippines (ASP) recently issued a statement condemning the use of disability slurs, particularly in election-related activities.

The nonprofit advocacy group says it "condemns the use of 'autistic' and 'special child' as verbal ammunition in the on-going political exercise."

It adds, "Within the first two weeks of the campaigning, we have seen disability slurs hurled by supporters on-line as well as by a candidate on-stage at a political rally. We expect leaders to protect vulnerable Filipinos -- not use their disability to ridicule others."

ASP national president Mona Magno-Veluz expounds on the issue in an opinion piece she sent to SmartParenting.com.ph: "The words 'bobo' and 'lutang,' alluding to those with intellectual disabilities, have become so ordinary that many do not even notice the problem."

She goes on giving a few examples: "A now banned Twitter account @SonnyRobredo captioned Leni Robredo's photograph with 'Signs of Autism.' At a Ping Lacson political assembly on February 12, Congressman Pantaleon Alvarez used the terms 'autism' and 'special child' to describe how a political adversary looks; and said ''Yan ang normal!' to refer to a party mate."

Magno-Veluz points out that "instead of shouting disability slurs on stage or amplifying videos poking ridicule at the working class," she hopes that "candidates and their supporters can model behaviors our children can genuinely aspire for."

The mom of 3, with the eldest on the autism spectrum, quotes Mahatma Gandhi for emphasis: “The measure of a civilization is how it treats its weakest members.”

ASP also challenges all those running for public office to "articulate their plans for the improvement of the lives of Filipinos with disabilities and those who care for and love them -- outside the context of charity."

It further states, "We want to support leaders who have spent time as public servants -- listening to those with disabilities and creating sustainable programs for them -- keen on inspiring genuine INCLUSION of those who have been cast to the fringes of society."

Magno-Veluz notes that "many of the candidates for national positions have laid out their plans in various fora and interviews." But, she says, "I have yet to see one who has articulated a plan or program for Filipinos with disabilities.

"Maybe they do have something planned; but they are not sufficiently significant to make it to the slides they present to the public."

Presidential candidate and incumbent Vice-President Leni Robredo's camp has announced that she, along with her running mate Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, will have a covenant signing of disability agenda on February 17. 

To learn more about the Autism Spectrum Disorder and its signs, read here.