Materials : Country
Submissions :
National Disability Policy
Vanuatu, April 2004
Tabled by: HON PRIME MINISTER EDWARD NATAPEI NIPAKE
Purpose
The purpose for introducing this paper before the Council of Ministers is
to have the Council discuss it and approve this document as the National
Disability Policy. This is to ensure that the Policy recognizes persons with
disabilities and to include them in national development.
Background
Since Independence in 1980, Vanuatu has not had in place a national
policy on disability, a fact which is reflected in the absence of any one
specific Ministry mandated and responsible for persons with disabilities and
disability issues. Whilst this may be the case, it may prove advantageous
since disability issues cuts across all sectors of the community and to have
one Ministry alone mandated and responsible for persons with disability,
diminishes the importance of this fact. In this light, this document will
draw the attention of the Council of Ministers to deliberate on a policy
that will both be wide in its scope as well as specific in its target whilst
placing a high priority on the issue of coordination.
Article 5(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu specifically
provides for non discrimination on a number of grounds. Whilst disability is
not specifically indicated, Article 5(1) (k) provides for
equal treatment under the law or administrative action, except that no
law shall be inconsistent with this sub-paragraph insofar as it makes
provision for the special benefit, welfare, protection or advancement of
females, children and young persons, members of underprivileged groups
or inhabitants of less developed area.
The Government has, over the years, recognized the disadvantaged and
vulnerable position occupied by persons with disability within society. This
recognition has been acknowledged in development plans since 1981 under the
general rubric of disadvantaged groups without specifically qualifying this
term. This in turn has made it difficult for implementers of national
policies and goals to specifically address and target the needs of persons
with disabilities and disability related issues. Government recognition of
this reality was clearly evident soon after independence when in 1986, it
provided the building which now houses the only rehabilitative service
provider, the Vanuatu Society for Disabled People (then called the Nakato
Society). Since then the Government has addressed disability issues but
sporadically and initiated by individual Ministries as opposed to addressing
it in a comprehensive, systematic and coordinated approach. Today Vanuatu is
a leader in the Pacific for advocating for addressing disability issues as
seen in the successful part Vanuatu played in getting the Forum Heads
of Government to endorse the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action for the
Asia Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities 2003-1012.
More details of what the Government has accomplished is provided as
Supplementary Notes 1 attached with this document.
The Prime Minister’s Office has developed this National Disability Policy
to formally have in place mechanisms by which the Government can be
systematic and comprehensive in its
approach to address needs of persons with disabilities and disabilities
issues in its national development plans. Priority issues which this policy
aims to cover include the following:
- National Coordination and Legislation;
- Self-help Organizations and Rehabilitative/Service Organizations
- Women with Disabilities
- Education, Training and Employment
- Access to built environments and public transport
- Poverty alleviation
- Early detection, early intervention and education
- Access to Information and communication including ICT
- Regional Cooperation
These policy areas are further expanded and provided as Supplementary
Notes 2 attached with this document.
Consultation
As indicated above, the Government has over the years consulted and
involved relevant stakeholders and partners including persons with
disabilities on both national and regional issues. The consensus reached
strongly indicate the need for the establishment of a Disability Desk to
coordinate Governments initiatives including the development of a National
Disability Policy. This document therefore is the Government’s response to
this need to formalize what already exists, as well as to implement in a
systematic manner, long term plans aimed at addressing needs of persons with
disabilities and to ensuring the successful implementation of our
international commitments.
Financial Implications
In addressing disability issues which cuts across all sectors of the
Government, it is imperative that all Ministries are fully aware of the
possible financial implications indicated and the commitment required for
the successful implementation of this policy. For there to be a
comprehensive, systematic and coordinated approach, a Disability Desk
requires support and the Prime Minister’s Office is well positioned to play
this coordinating and monitoring role. In other Ministries, there will be
financial costs associated with the implementation of the policy issues
indicated above. Following these thoughts, the Prime Minister’s Office will
ensure that there are budgetary provisions in each Ministry and further,
that the Ministries implement these policies.
Legal Implications
The thoughts contained within this policy paper are consistent with the
laws of the Republic including the Constitution, the Education Act, the
Employment Act, the Penal Code and policies of the Ministry of Health. With
Vanuatu’s accession to the International Labour Organization, this policy
also falls in line with international laws, some of which Vanuatu needs to
effect into domestic laws. In particular, the Prime Minister’s Office will
continue to work with the State Law Office, organizations working with and
for persons with disabilities, and regional organizations to effect this
policy.
Recommendation
That the Council of Ministers consider the policy areas identified in
this document and approve this National Disability Policy.
Supplementary Notes 1
Currently services provided to persons with disabilities are carried out
by the Vanuatu Society for Disabled People (VSDP). As a registered
non-governmental organization, it is the general assumption of VSDP, the
Disability Promotion & Advocacy Association and vandisports that the
Ministry of Internal Affairs is responsible for persons with disabilities
since it is responsible for NGOs.
This has not always been the case. For example, in 1992, the Hon Minister
for Health, Hilda Lini attempted to house rehabilitative service providers
under the Ministry. In 1994, children with disabilities were specifically
highlighted by the late Father Lini in the development of a policy on
children. In 1999 the Education Master Plan specifically provided for the
‘inclusion of children with disabilities’ in its plans and programmes. In
the same document, the Education Department identified its commitment to
establishing two schools for children with disabilities. This was
consolidated in amendment of the Education Act in 2000 and further supported
by the Education For All plan which included a representative of the Vanuatu
Society for Disabled People. In 2003, a Special needs Officer was appointed
in the Education Department and in the same year, the first statistical data
on the number of children in schools throughout the country was collected.
The Ministry of Health is one the few ministries that specifically
provides for non discrimination on the grounds of disability in its policy:
The Ministry of Health is committed to eliminating all forms [of]
discrimination of staff in the workplace based on age, sex, race, place or
origin, geographic location – urban/rural, culture, language, physical,
intellectual or psychological disability …
In 2002, the Prime Minister’s Advisory Group included representative from
the disability field.
On the regional level, the Government through the Hon Minister for Health
Clement Leo singed on behalf of the Government in 1999 the Proclamation
on the Full Participation and Equality of People with Disabilities in the
Asian and Pacific Region and announced that the Government will
pass a National Disability Act. In 2001 the Hon Joe Natuman, Minister for
Internal Affairs accepted the recommendation from representatives of people
with disabilities in the Pacific for Vanuatu to put disability issues on the
Forum. Since 2002, the Hon Prime Minister Edward Natapei has faithfully
carried this onerous task and has succeeded in getting the Forum Heads of
Government endorse the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action for the Asia &
Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities 2003 – 2012.
On the international level, the Government of Vanuatu has further
recognized persons with disabilities and the need to coordinate to address
disability issues. In 2003, the Hon Joe Natuman, Minister for Internal
Affairs in consultation with the Hon Prime Minister nominated John Suran,
Chair of the Disability Promotion & Advocacy Association, to represent
Vanuatu at UN meetings relating to the drafting of the Convention on Persons
with Disabilities.
Supplementary Notes 2
1. National Coordination & Legislation
To establish a National Coordination Committee on disability concerns and
ensure inclusion of people with disabilities in policy and decision-making
at a national level, protect and promote rights of people with disability
through identifying, examining and amending existing legal and policy
provisions that may be discriminatory against people with disabilities.
2. Self-Help Organizations and
Rehabilitative/Service Organizations
To strengthen the capacity of self-help organizations and rehabilitative
service providers and ensure that persons with disabilities have equal
access to health care, rehabilitation and equal opportunities to influence
policies and decision-making in those organizations as well as decision
making at the national level.
3. Women with Disabilities
To recognize that women with disabilities are doubly discriminated and
ensure that issues affecting them are incorporated into national programmes
and policies.
4. Education, Training & Employment
To ensure that all girls and boys with disabilities be given the fullest
possible opportunity for education, provide equal opportunities for
vocational training and employment for people with disabilities.
5. Access to built Environments &
Transport
To ensure that barrier-free features are
incorporated as a standard requirement in designs and plans for all new
construction, renovation and expansion of building and facilities used by
members of the public, including transport, public offices and buildings,
educational facilities, housing facilities and incorporate these provisions
into existing building laws where they exist and where they do not exist, to
enact new legislation.
6. Poverty Alleviation
To reduce the increasing trend of poverty particularly in urban pockets
impacting on persons with disabilities and nationally through a poverty
alleviation policy and programme.
7. Early detection, early prevention and
education
Initiate public education campaigns directed early detection and the
prevention of the most preventable causes of disability.
8. Access to Information & communication
To generate, collate and disseminate information on the situation of
persons with disability to provide a sound basis for policy formulation and
action and to increase public awareness.
9. Regional Cooperation
To enhance the sharing of information and experience on the advancement
of people with disability and to strengthen their effectiveness in advocacy
at regional and international forums.
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