NCDA backs new PWD-accessible school standards for 2027

MANILA, Philippines — New public school buildings will be required to meet updated accessibility and disaster-resilience standards beginning in fiscal year 2027 under a Department of Education (DepEd) policy welcomed by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA).

In a statement, the NCDA said DepEd Order No. 022, series of 2026, establishes enhanced minimum performance standards and specifications for public basic education facilities, including requirements aimed at making school buildings more accessible to learners with disabilities.

The standards require wheelchair ramps with a maximum incline of 1:20, non-skid flooring and walking surfaces, tactile paving and wayfinding features, continuous safety handrails, and fully accessible sanitation facilities.

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The policy also incorporates climate and disaster resilience into school infrastructure standards, with the aim of ensuring that new facilities are accessible to learners with disabilities while providing protection against natural hazards.

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The NCDA described the policy as a step toward more inclusive education, emphasizing that school facilities should accommodate learners regardless of their abilities.

“Persons with disabilities are inherently entitled to spaces that enable their mobility, ensure their safety, and empower their participation — today and in the future,” the council said.

“Inclusive education begins with infrastructure that leaves no learner behind,” it added.

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The council said the new standards reinforce Republic Act No. 7277, or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities, and Batas Pambansa Blg. 344, or the Accessibility Law, including its revised implementing rules and regulations.

It stressed that accessibility should be recognized as a fundamental human right rather than a privilege.

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The NCDA also pledged to coordinate with DepEd, local government units and other stakeholders to support the policy’s implementation. It urged the education sector to uphold the standards and accelerate compliance to make schools safer and more accessible to learners with disabilities.

The new standards will take effect in fiscal year 2027, according to the NCDA.