Section 16Sec./Art. 16

Advisory Committee for Education of Learners with Disabilities. -An Advisory Committee for Education of Learners with Disabilities (Committee), which shall be composed of representatives from various disability sectors and a representative from the academe, is hereby created.

The Committee, which shall directly coordinate and collaborate with the Secretary, shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Represent learners with disabilities and their respective organizations, and participate in consultative meetings of the DepEd and other organizations of persons with disabilities in the formulation of policies, plans, and strategies, educational programs, rules and regulations, guidelines, or regulatory changes on the education of learners with disabilities;

(b) Conduct research and policy studies on inclusive education and other matters related to the education of learners with disabilities;

(c) Participate in crafting, amending evaluating, or updating the roadmap referred to in Section 14 of this Act;

(d) Subject to compliance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10173 or the "Data Privacy Act of 2012", gather, consolidate, or interpret relevant data on the education of learners with disabilities, and prepare the necessary report for the Secretary;

(e) For purposes of assessment, monitor the delivery of services for learners with disabilities as provided in this Act;

(f) Review existing and recommend new legislation to promote the educational welfare, and physical and psychosocial well-being of learners with disabilities; and

(g) Perform other similar functions as may be necessary.

Subject to prior consultation with organizations of persons with disabilities, other NGOs and relevant stakeholders regarding the composition of the Committee and the qualification and terms of office of the members, the DepEd, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, shall issue the necessary orders on the creation and composition of the Committee, and direct the Department, bureaus, ans its attached agencies to extend the necessary assistance and cooperation to the Committee in the performance of its functions. The composition of the Committee and the qualifications and terms of office of its members shall be stated in the IRR of this Act.

The Committee is independent from the DepEd and its members shall not be entitled to any compensation in the performance of their functions.