The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) on Thursday strongly opposed the “Emily Blind Prank” trend circulating on TikTok and other social media platforms, warning that the content is both disrespectful and harmful.
In a statement, the NCDA said the trend, which encourages people, particularly children, to pretend to be blind for rewards or attention, is leading to discrimination against persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The council disclosed that more Filipino TikTok users are participating, often involving their younger siblings. As an example, the NCDA cited a user named “keyliee24” who allegedly used her daughter in the act to compete for a P100,000 contest prize.
The council stated that the videos minimize the lived experiences of PWDs and violate national laws.
“Disability is not a costume. It is not a challenge to be faked for entertainment,” the NCDA said. “These prank videos diminish the gravity of what it means to acquire a disability or fight through illness.”
The agency added that the videos mock the genuine fundraising efforts of PWDs and their families who face significant financial hardships seeking care and support.