Regional Workshop on Monitoring the Implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (BMF)
Bangkok, Thailand, 13-15 October 2004

COUNTRY PAPER : FIJI

Regional Workshop - Monitoring the Implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Right-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific

13-15 October 2004, Bangkok, Thailand

Prepared by FIJI NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR DISABLED PERSONS

This report focuses on our achievements and the progress made relating to the Agenda for Action concerning the Asia and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons; 1993 – 2002 and also discuss our future plans to achieve the targets pertaining to the extension of the Decade; 2003 –2012 under the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society for persons with disabilities in Asia and Pacific.  The Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons is currently under the Portfolio responsibility of the Ministry of Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation, and chaired by the Chief Executive Officer of this Ministry.

INTRODUCTION

The development of services for persons with disabilities in Fiji began in the mid-sixties through the efforts of pioneering organizations that were providing some services then, namely, the Fiji Crippled Children Society, the Society for the Blind and the Fiji Red Cross Society.  Momentum began to build up into the seventies and the need to diversify into Vocational training programmes became apparent, as was the need to train teachers to meet the educational need for the Fiji’s children with disabilities.  This was organized through the Ministry of Education.  However, the services and the established vocational training programmes were reviewed in the late eighties and found to be inadequate because they favoured those in the bigger urban centers but were inaccessible for the rural disabled population.  The need to identify ways and areas of improving these services was inevitable.

The declaration by the UN General Assembly in the year 1981, as the International Year for the Disabled Persons’ greatly assisted the attempts to reorganize Disability Development for Fiji, more so with the focus on the establishment of a central authority with powers under the legislation to spearhead this development.

The responsibility to organize and implement the much needed change fell on the lap of the Department of Social Welfare.  Through the guidance of the Department, a sub-committee was appointed, comprising government non-government organizations and disabled persons themselves in 1989.  It recommended the establishment of a Central Authority to look after the need of disabled persons and disability development in the Country.

Through the Ministry of Women, Culture and Social Welfare, the Cabinet in September 1992, approved the establishment of the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons (FNCDP) as the central authority and the National co-ordinating body for disability development in Fiji.  For the establishment of the National Co-ordination mechanism, the meetings held in Manila in April 1992 and Beijing in October 1992, merely reinforced the development that was already taking place.  The ‘Beijing Proclamation’ therefore became the framework and the springboard Fiji needed to carry out its commitment to disability development, in a planned and comprehensive manner.  It therefore became a signatory of the proclamation in 1993.

The consolidation of the establishment of the Council through its legal framework saw the enactment of the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons (FNCDP) Act no. 21 in December 1994.  Since then, the Country has developed its infrastructure and has been willing co-sponsor of the above instrument by using the Action Plan of the Agenda as its guiding document specially in regards to the twelve stipulated policy categories.

ACHIEVEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

During the past Decade, Fiji has recognized and undertaken measures to address the needs for people with disabilities and is committed to implement the principles, goals, targets and actions of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action; 2003-2012.  Some of these achievements include:

National Co-ordination:

• The establishment of the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons.
• The enactment of the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons (FNCDP) Act 21 of 1994.
• The appointment of the FNCDP Council members, Advisory Committees and District Committees.
• The registration of all disabled servicing NGOs with the FNCDP.

Legislation:

• The inclusion of anti-discrimination provisions against persons with disabilities within the Bill of Rights Chapter of the 1997 Constitution of the Republic of the Fiji Islands.
• Affirmative Action Programmes for Disabled Persons under Social Justice Act no.5 of 2001.
• The Equal Employment Opportunity Policy of the Public Service Commission 2000 which identified persons with disabilities as one of the four EEO targeted groups.
• Section 17 of the Fiji Human Rights Commission Act 1999, disability is a prohibited ground for discrimination particularly in the fields of employment, applying for work, providing approval for licenses or trade, calling or profession, the provision of housing, land or other accommodation and access to and participation in education.
• A Cabinet decision No. 474 dated 21.o9.04 entitled Proposal to ratify ILO Convention 159: Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) 1983.

Accessibility and Information:

• The proposed implementation of the Fiji National Building Code.
• The capital city of Fiji and other townships made alterations and adjustments in construction of structure that are disabled friendly, such as wheelchair access and public toilets, buildings and entertainment centers and street wheelchair ramps.
• Association with Japanese Group (Vinaka Group) - an organization whose members are persons with disabilities, who assist the Council in donating wheelchairs, school bus etc to our disabled population.
• Association with Latter Day Saints Wheelchair Foundation International which has donated up to 500 wheelchairs.
• Establishment of an Accessible web-site for the Council, www.fncdp.org

Education:

• Inter-Ministerial division on the formulation of relevant Special Education Policy.
• Blueprint for Affirmative Action on Special Education.
• Establishment of the HEAVEN Project which specialized in the testing of Visual/Audio problems amongst primary schools in Fiji and to refer those affected to consultants.
• The successful completion of a national research on Disability, Law & Policy.
• The design and updating of the Certificate course in disability studies for caregivers at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji.
• The Introduction of Community workers Certificate Disabilities Studies at the University of the South Pacific.
• Inclusion of questionnaire on Person with Disabilities in Fiji in the Census and Base line Survey with the Bureau of Statistics. 

Sports and Recreation:

• Annual sports event is organized for all special schools and disability organizations in the country.
• Participation of persons with disabilities in regional and international games for persons with disabilities.

Persons With Disabilities:                       

• Women with Disabilities have been attending workshop and training conducted by the Ministry of Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation.
• The creation of Community Based Rehabilitation Services by government to provide rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities in rural and remote communities.
• The participation of FNCDP in National forums for Children.
• The promotion and celebration of the International Day of Disabled Persons each year with the participation of special schools and disability organizations nationwide.

FUTURE PLANS

The quick review of development in the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, in as far as Fiji is concern, indicates that, in the establishment of Fiji’s co-ordinating mechanism, the Council has done well.  However, critical areas such as education, access, health, information and assistive technology, employment and the upgrading of vocational programmes, self-help organizations of persons with disabilities, as well as housing and transportation need to be pursued vigorously.  Government’s commitment, in this direction, particularly in terms of introducing new policies and initiatives and provision of resources for the funding of projects and programmes amenable to improving the quality of lives of people with disabilities is considered to be important and most critical.  Also considered important is the support from the NGO’s, private sectors and the community generally.

The Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons sees coming years ahead as more challenging and perhaps more rewarding for the people with disabilities. As the next few years is a time for achievement, which will culminate in the formulation of our National Disability Plan under the guidance of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action, FNCDP intends to collaborate and cooperate with other stakeholder in the implementation of the following:

• Implementation of the National Building Code;
• Blue Print on Affirmative Action on Special Education;
• The development and enactment of a Disability Discrimination Act;
• The Land Transport Act - To facilitate excess and use of public transportation system by Persons with Disabilities;
• The formulation of the National Disability Plan for Fiji;
• Review of vocational and pre-vocational programmes for disabled children;
• Strengthening of the District Disabled Council;
• Pursue consultation with ministries vital to disability development where little progress have been achieved;
• The Construction of the FNCDP Head Quarters.  The Council has received $900,000.00 for the Construction of its Headquarters which will also provide office accommodation for some disability Ngos;
• Greater participation and representation of Persons with Disabilities in Disability Development initiatives;
• Conduct National Disability Survey;
• The implementation and Review of the Biwako Millennium Framework For Action;
• Conduct disability awareness programmes.

IMPLEMENTING THE BIWAKO MILLENNIUM FRAMEWORK IN FIJI

Having attended the UNESCAP High Level Intergovernmental Meeting to mark the conclusion of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons in Otsu, Shiga prefecture, Japan in October 2002, our Minister for Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation returned to Fiji with a strong commitment to promote and implement the targets and actions of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society for persons with disabilities in the region.  In addition, the Prime Minister of Fiji along with other Pacific Islands Forum Leaders endorsed the Biwako Millennium Framework in their Forum Leaders meeting held in Auckland, New Zealand in August 2003.  Interestingly enough, the Fiji Disabled People’s Association, the national disabled persons organization in the country was actively engaged in promoting BMF to relevant Government departments, private sector and civil society organizations since 2003.  A sample of their promotion materials are attached for reference purposes.  In September 2004, FNCDP organized and conducted a one-day national workshop with the aim to discuss the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific Region and explore its implementation and implications to the disability community in Fiji through the FNCDP mechanisms.  Representatives from various Government Ministries, private sector, human rights institution, organizations for/of persons with disabilities and special schools attended this important workshop.  An important outcome was the formulation of a draft BMF Action Plan developed by the participants under the seven priority areas.  The resolution passed at the end of this workshop directed the Council to develop and consolidate the draft plan before presenting it to the Cabinet through the line Ministry as the National Disability Action Plan.  FNCDP also intends to educate its Advisory and District Committees on this regional framework as well as the BMF Action Plan to ensure linkage and relevance in the implementation phase, and greatest impact at the grassroots level. 

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