Summary & Future Directions and basic Data of PWDs in Fiji.

[a-1) Cite and describe three most significant changes for the life of PWDs in Fiji over the A/P Decade.

1. Greater participation of persons with disabilities in disability-related activities. During the Decade, it became apparent that persons with disabilities are becoming more visible in their participation and involvement in the management of disability organizations, seminars/workshops/meetings relating to disability and even open employment to some extent. Several single-disability organizations of persons with disabilities were also established during this period.

2. Greater disability awareness among members of society. The Decade also saw better awareness of members of the public in disability issues largely due to the first reason given above. As persons with disabilities become more visible, this impacted the attitude, perception and behaviour of the Fiji society. Disability organizations too were actively involved in disability awareness raising programmes during the Decade.

3. Strengthening of the disability movement in the country. As more persons with disabilities were mobilised through the various self-help organizations that were established in Fiji during the Decade, the disability movement became stronger and active. As a result, Fiji was able to provide valuable leadership and experience to other Pacific Island countries especially in this area.

[a-2] Cite and describe the three most undeveloped issues concerning PWDs compare with non-disabled people in Fiji.

1. Unavailability of effective vocational training and employment opportunities. Even though Fiji provided sufficient educational opportunities for persons with disabilities in the country, vocational training and transition from school to employment or home did not get much attention or support as compared to opportunities for able-bodied persons. As a result, many persons with disabilities do not possess relevant vocational skills, fail to meet minimum entry requirements, under-qualified, become unemployed and stay idle at home.

2. Disability legislation and policy provisions. Fiji still does not have specific disability legislations or policies even though legislation is the second key objective in the Agenda for Action. Therefore, development, access and participation of persons with disabilities in Fiji have been slow since progress is largely dependent on people's good will, generosity and priority.

3. Lack of priority, political will and commitment. The lack of progress of persons with disabilities in Fiji during the Decade can also be attributed to lack of political will, priority and commitment by the Government and private sector. Whilst non-governmental organizations are largely responsible for initiating and delivering disability services in Fiji, their contributions are not supplemented by Government programmes. Also, these NGOs are aid-dependent and charity-based which means the continuity or expansion of their services relies on availability of funds acquired from various sources and donors.

[a-3] Three priority measures to be taken up by Fiji Government for PWDs in the country.

1. Formulation and enactment of disability legislation and policy provisions targeting important areas like education, training/employment, housing, transportation, accessibility, human rights, etc.

2. Increase in annual financial grants to disability NGOs to support service delivery to their different groups of disabled persons being targeted.

3. Implementation of Affirmative Action programmes concerning persons with disabilities.

[a-4] Three priority programs of regional co-operation for PWDs in Fiji.

1. Provision of training programmes in disability-related fields like special education, leadership, management, empowerment, etc.

2. Provision of funding assistance to support existing disability services or initiate new ones.

3. Technical assistance and Information sharing.

[b] Basic Data

[b-1] Cite and describe the basic data of PWDs in Fiji.

The total population of persons with disabilities in Fiji is still not known today. As in many countries, Fiji uses multiple definitions and classification systems for disability. For example, The last Census, in 1996 included questions about disability but was not based on a specific definition of disability and was mired with methodological problems, which has resulted in a gross underestimation of disability incidence. The Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons Act (FNCDP) which came into force on 1 December 1994 is the main piece of legislation dealing exclusively with issues concerning persons with disabilities. It establishes the National Council as the main coordinating and policymaking body concerning disability matters and comprised of relevant Government Ministries as well as major disability NGOs including the national self-help organization of persons with disabilities. In the FNCDP Act, disabled individuals are defined as people who "as a result of physical, mental or sensory impairment are restricted or lacking in ability to perform an activity in the manner considered normal for human beings." (Part 1, Article 2) No specific categories of disability are identified in the Act.

Fiji has no national registration system for people with disabilities and therefore does not have an official classification system for collecting data. Nevertheless, these categories of disabilities are used widely by disability organizations and special education schools in the country without proper criteria or incidence figures: multiply handicapped, developmentally delayed, slow learners, physically disabled, hearing Impaired, intellectually handicapped, mentally retarded, blind and low vision. An initiative to undertake a national disability survey that is focused on identification rather than diagnostic is being discussed as a result of collaboration between Inclusion International Asia/Pacific Region and Fiji Disabled People's Association. An interim working committee has been appointed and given the task of preparing survey forms, establishing contacts with target groups and identifying processes and strategies. Education for disabled persons are largely provided through the seventeen special schools currently existing mainly in urban centres of the country which are all established and managed by registered charitable organizations. Mainstream education is also practised by several special schools where students with disabilities are now placed in primary, secondary and tertiary schools. The Fiji Education For All National Policy includes provisions for children with disabilities as a result of interventions made by some disability agencies. Girls and women with disabilities enjoy similar access to education like their male counterparts. Hence, the literacy level of persons with disabilities in Fiji is relatively high due to exposure to educational opportunities particularly at primary level. However, Fiji does not have a special education policy or specific disability act as yet. There are provisions within the 1997 Constitution of the Republic of Fiji which provide useful discriminatory clauses against persons with disabilities. Also, the Social Justice Act of 2001 provided two specific affirmative action programmes for persons with disabilities in areas of education under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education as well as care and rehabilitation of disabled persons to be implemented by the Department of Social Welfare. Just recently, the 2003-2005 Strategic Development Plan of Fiji also promises to reflect some important measures to address disability matters at national level.

[b-2] People in Fiji estimated to be aware of the...

A/P Decade of Disabled Persons 1993-2002:

less than 1%.

Does your government informed the nation about the decade?

No.

UN's Declaration of Disabled Person in 1975:

almost none.

International Year of Disabled Person in 1981:

less than 1%.

UN's Decade of Disabled Persons 1983-1992:

less than 1%.

Basic Information concerning PWDs in Fiji.

[a] National organizations of/for PWDs:

ORGANISATION	CONTACT DETAILS	CONTACT PERSON
Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons	PO Box 16867, Suva, Fiji. Tel/Fax: (679) 3320055	Chairperson
Fiji Disabled Peoples Association	PO Box 15178, Suva, Fiji. Tel: (679) 3311203. Fax: (679) 3301161.	President
Counterstroke Fiji	PO Box 14323, Suva, Fiji. Tel: (679) 3305007 Fax: (679) 3301161	President
Spinal Injuries Association	PO Box 17417, Suva, Fiji. Tel: (679) 3307908 Fax: (679) 3301161	President
United Blind Persons of Fiji	PO Box 16015, Suva, Fiji. Tel: (679) 3300616 Fax: (679) 3301161	President
Fiji Cripple Children Society	PO Box 1152, Suva, Fiji. Tel: (679) 3312210 Fax: (679) 3313441	President
Fiji Society for the Blind	PO Box 521, Suva, Fiji. Tel: (679) 3382966 Fax: (679) 3387950	President
Fiji society for the Intellectually handicapped	PO Box 896, Suva, Fiji. Tel: (679) 3321375 Fax: (679)	President

[b] Well-known persons with disability in Fiji as good models or leaders of PWDs.

NAME	DISABILITY	OCCUPATION	CONTACT
Angeline Chand	Low Vision	Administrator	United Blind Persons of Fiji, Box 16015, Suva, Fiji.
Phillip M Filipo	Amputee	Principal Administration Officer	Public Service Commission, Berkley Crescent, Suva, Fiji.
Frederick Miller	Spinal Chord Injury	School Principal	Champagnat Institute, Box 5318, Raiwaqa, Suva, Fiji.
Sam Vilsoni	Amputee	Accountant	Telecom Fiji, Suva, Fiji.
Setareki Macanawai	Blind	School Principal	Fiji School for the Blind, Box 521, Suva, Fiji.

[c] Future leaders of PWDs in Fiji:

NAME	GENDER	DISABILITY	ADDRESS
Iosefo Verevou	Male	Upper limb amputee	Fiji Disabled People's Association, PO Box 15178, Suva, Fiji.
Asesela Waqaniolo	Male	Amputee	Same as above.
Sajen Sharma	Male	Spinal Chord Injury	Spinal Injury Association, PO Box 17417, Suva, Fiji.
Naomi Botenavanua	Female	Same as above	Same as above.
Lanieta Tuimabu	Female	Blind	United Blind Persons of Fiji, PO Box 16015, Suva, Fiji.
Cathy Bali	Female	Hearing Impaired	Fiji Disabled people's Association, PO Box 15178, Suva, Fiji.

[d] Foreign organizations doing significant co-operation programs in the field of disability in Fiji:

ORGANIZATION	ADDRESS
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Fiji Office.	JICA Fiji Office, Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji.
Disabled Peoples' International	Disabled Peoples' International-Asia/Pacific Region, 325 Bondstreet Rd., Muangthong Thani, Pakkred, Nonthaburi 11120 THAILAND Tel/Fax: 66-2984-1007, 66-2984-1008.
CBM International	South East Asia and Pacific Regional Office, Unit 604, Alabang Business Tower, 1216 Acacia Avenue, Madrigal Business Park, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, 1780 Philippines.
Vision Pacific Charitable Trust	PO Box 96151, Belmoral, Auckland, New Zealand

[e] Expert of disability policy, study and research in Fiji:

NAME	JOB TITLE	ADDRESS
Frank Hilton	Retired Civil Servant	PO Box 1152, Suva, Fiji.
Joyce Heeraman	Lecturer	Department of Education, School of Humanities, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji.
Mariselina Tabalailai	Education Officer	Special Education Unit, Ministry of Education, Quality House, Suva, Fiji.
Setareki Macanawai	Principal/Leader/Advocate.	Fiji Disabled People's Association, PO Box 15178, Suva, Fiji.