The New Era University
Darlene graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, majoring in Animal Nutrition, from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 2001. She later earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education and Inclusive Education at New Era University, launching her career as a Special Education Teacher at Lagro High School in 2012, where she worked until 2019. Her qualifications include passing the United States Licensure Examination for Teachers (PRAXIS I) in 2006, the Career Service Professional Examination in 2007, and obtaining her Licensure as a Professional Teacher in 2009.
Darlene’s journey into Special Education began at Lagro High School in Quezon City, where she managed a multi-disability, multi-grade class, teaching students with a range of disabilities. This experience honed her expertise in classroom organization, curriculum adaptation, and instructional modification, establishing her as a skilled and compassionate educator.
Since joining Balibago Elementary School in 2019, Darlene has made substantial contributions to research in Special Education and Inclusive Education. She presented her study “Children-AT-Risk, Remediation, Identification and Early Detection (CARRIED): Transcending Education Beyond Barriers” at the 8th World Disability and Rehabilitation Conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka. In 2024, she presented “Support Provision for Receiving and Inclusive Education Teachers Empowerment (SPRITE): A New Milestone for Special Education and Inclusive Education” at the 9th World Disability and Rehabilitation Conference in Bali, Indonesia.
Currently, Darlene serves as the Special Education Key Teacher and Research Coordinator at Balibago Elementary School. She is an active member of the Santa Rosa City Research Council, continuing her commitment to advancing inclusive education and contributing to impactful research in the field.
The “Educate and Accept Diversity (LEAD)” program blueprint focuses on establishing an inclusive and accessible special education framework tailored to the unique needs of developing countries. LEAD aims to address the barriers to education faced by children with disabilities, promote awareness and acceptance, and create an environment that nurtures diversity within educational settings. Here’s an overview of its key elements:
Primary Health Care Physician Public Health Specialist Research Consultant
Dr. Jeganish A, MBBS, MD (Community Medicine), a dedicated public health specialist and academician, is currently a Senior Resident in the Department of Community and Family
Medicine at AIIMS Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh. He holds the prestigious University Gold Medal in MD Community Medicine from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, awarded for his outstanding academic performance in University Examinations.
Dr. Jeganish is an experienced professional with expertise in primary health care, disability rights, and public health research. His key research works include studies on Perceptions of disability rights under the RPWD Act, Physical and mental health status of police personnel, , and the role of family members in antenatal decision-making. He has successfully presented his papers at various National and International conferences, including the 8th World Disability and Rehabilitation Conference 2023 and ICOPH 2022.
In his professional journey, Dr. Jeganish has held various leadership and administrative positions, including serving as the President of the Alumni Association of Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College and as General Secretary of the Postgraduate Student Council at St. John’s Medical College.
He has also contributed as a reviewer for reputed journals like IJOEM and PLOS Global Health Journal, and also a reviewer for various National and International conferences.
Dr. Jeganish’s commitment to inclusive public health is reflected in his involvement in innovative programs, such as Health Needs Assessments in underserved communities and his work as a consultant with NUHM Karnataka. He is also skilled in mentoring students research on disability rights and mental health integration.
With a passion for empowering communities and advancing inclusive rehabilitation strategies, Dr. Jeganish continues to contribute significantly to the field of disability and public health.
Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) for mental wellness emphasizes the integration of inclusive and empowering strategies within communities to address mental health challenges. It seeks to improve accessibility to care, reduce stigma, and foster sustainable support systems by leveraging local resources, training stakeholders, and promoting active participation of individuals in their rehabilitation journey. This approach prioritizes dignity, equity, and community ownership, ensuring holistic and culturally sensitive mental health interventions that empower individuals while strengthening the resilience of the communities they belong to.