Lived Experiences of Parents in Raising their Children with Disabilities in Barangay Lacnog East

Abstract

This mixed-methods study examined the lived experiences of parents raising children with disabilities in Barangay Lacnog East, Tabuk City, Kalinga. It described caregiver profiles, assessed awareness of rights and privileges under Republic Act No. 9442, identified major caregiving challenges, and tested differences in awareness across demographic characteristics. Eleven primary caregivers participated. Quantitative data from a structured four-point awareness questionnaire were analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, independent-samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance, while semi-structured interviews were analyzed thematically. Most respondents were female (81.82%), all were married, 72.73% were unemployed, and 72.73% relied on farming as the household income source. Awareness of statutory rights was Highly Aware (M = 3.53), with the highest awareness for mandatory PhilHealth coverage and state family support (M = 3.73 each). Awareness of commercial privileges was Aware (M = 2.93), ranging from high awareness of medicine discounts (M = 3.55) to low awareness of restaurant discounts (M = 2.36). Four qualitative themes emerged: financial and economic strain, physical and caregiving demands, emotional and social challenges, and structural and institutional gaps. Educational attainment was the only profile variable associated with significant differences in awareness of both rights (F = 8.00, p = .032) and privileges (F = 15.70, p = .009). The findings indicate that rural caregiving is shaped by economic vulnerability, unequal access to services, social stigma, and uneven policy literacy, supporting localized information campaigns, health and rehabilitation access, parent support networks, and livelihood assistance.