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To improve the situations of persons with disabilities in Pacific Island Countries & Territories, the Pacific Disability Forum has over the years developed Guides, Documents and Papers to ensure the development and strengthening the capacity of member Organisations of & for Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
Persons with disabilities face far greater impact and disproportionate effect and risk due to COVID-19. The global pandemic poses greater risk of exposure and the possibility of suffering serious health effects due to a range of factors, which may include an inability to practice basic preventative measures, a lack of access to information, pre-existing health conditions and other vulnerabilities. Engaging persons with disabilities in decision making and also in planning is paramount during this global pandemic.
The Pacific Disability Forum with the assistance of donors, has been able to:
(i) has compiled a comprehensive set of papers to assist in the engagement process
- DIDRR in COVID-19 outbreak (pdf version) (Word doc.) (French version)
- Disability Inclusive Communication Guideline (pdf version) (Word doc.) (French version)
- Disability Inclusive Messaging Guideline (pdf version) (Word doc.) (French version)
- Guideline on pre-condition to inclusion for persons with disabilities (pdf version) (Word doc.) (French version)
- Human Rights Based Approach Guideline to Disability Inclusion in COVID-19 Response (pdf version) (Word doc.) (French version)
(ii) develop accessible materials to assist persons with disabilities prepare as well as stay safe during this global pandemic.
- COVID-19 Practical Guidance – Person with disability (Download)
- COVID-19 Practical Guidance – Service Providers (Download)
- COVID-19-Appendix (Download)
- Vaccination Disability Guidance for Ministries of Health (Download)
- Vaccine Guide: Easy to Read Information Sheet (Download)
(iii) undertaken the distribution of PPE and other assistive devices to help persons with disabilities during this period.
2022
WGSS stands for Washington Group Short Set on Functioning. The WG-SS is intended for use in censuses and surveys. The WG-SS obtains information on difficulties a person may have in undertaking basic functioning activities that apply to people in all cultures and societies and of all nationalities and so are universally applicable. The final set of questions includes difficulties seeing, hearing, walking or climbing stairs, remembering or concentrating, self-care, and communication. The questions are designed to collect information on the population aged 5 years and above. The sample used as a precedent for Pacific Disability Forum can be downloaded in two formats:
(i) In a PDF version: Template of basic WGSS Set up
or (ii) In an accessible Word version: Template of basic WGSS Set up
2019
Report on the Design of a Situational Analysis of the Experience of Deaf People in the Pacific emanates from a research project funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Government of Australia and which was managed by the Pacific Disability Forum and conducted jointly by Dr. Elena Jenkin, Philip Waters, Krishneer Sen and Dr. Robert Adam.
Download: PDF Version in English
2017
The Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) along with other regional stakeholders released a new PRIF research report on improving accessibility in transport infrastructure for people with disabilities – Improving Accessibility in Transport Infrastructure projects in the Pacific Islands’.
Download: PDF Version in English
2022
15 Pacific Island countries have launched the new Pacific Regional Inclusive Education Review yesterday to ensure all children, including those living with disability and out-of-school children, have equal access to quality learning.
The Review was designed to advance understanding of the situation of inclusive education in the Pacific, foster cross-country learning and sharing, as well as strengthen partnerships, planning, decision-making and action at both regional- and country-levels.
This was achieved by taking stock of policies, plans, investments and practices in inclusive education, as well as gaps, positive practices and recommendations for making education fully inclusive.
Download Report PDF version: Inclusive Education Review 2022
2016
Development of the Pacific Indicators for Disability-Inclusive Education (PacificINDIE) was funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under an award titled ‘Developing and testing indicators for the education of children with disability in the Pacific’.
Download: PDF version in English
2022:
1. The Pacific Disability Forum in partnership with Women Enabled International (WEI) and the UNFPA have released three separate documents featuring a Sexual Reproductive Health and Persons with Disabilities Survey carried out in three countries – Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu. The Reports gives first hand insights to the lives of persons with disabilities and the issues they face in accessing basic health services.
Download PDF versions of the: Fiji Needs Assessment, Samoa Needs Assessment & Vanuatu Needs Assessment
2021:
1. The Pacific Disability Forum together with WEI, UNFPA and the Australian Aid have developed a set of Know Your Rights guidelines that contain resources and information relating to the right of women, girls and gender non-conforming persons with disabilities to lead a life free of gender-based violence during crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Download: PDF version in English
2014:
Toolkit on Eliminating Violence Against Women and Girls with Disabilities in Fiji. This is a result of the joint partnership between the Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation and Pacific Disability Forum, supported by financial and technical assistance from UN Women, with primary funding from Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Download: PDF version in English
The Toolkit on EVAW was also produced in Kiribati and Samoa. This is a result of the joint partnership between Te Toa Matoa (OPD) of Kiribati and Nuanua O Le Alofa (OPD) of Samoa, supported by financial and technical assistance from UN Women, with primary funding from Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Download: PDF version in English, PDF version in Kiribati
Download: PDF version in English, PDF version in Samoan
2022
1. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 aims to achieve the substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries over the next 15 years. The Framework was adopted at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, on March 18, 2015.
Download : PDF Version in English, Word version in English, PDF version in French, Word version in French
2. The Pacific Disability Forum as part of the Asia Pacific Ministerial released a Mid Term Review statement on the work being undertaken by Governments and stakeholders, providing an insight into areas that need improvement.
Download: PDF version in English, Word version in English, PDF Version in French, Word version in French
3. The Pacific Disability Forum in partnership with the International Disability Alliance (IDA), and CBM Global’s Inclusion Advisory Group, have released a series of resources to to help disability-inclusive DRR become a reality. The work prioritizes of the diverse range of persons with disabilities in relation to disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
As a result of this, a report titled “Our Lessons” delivers findings and recommendations from the Region (Pacific) to inform governments, the development and humanitarian sectors, and other actors involved in disaster policy, mitigation, and response.
Download: PDF version in English.
For accessibility purpose, an Easy Read and a Short Report has also been produced.
Download: PDF of the Easy Read Version in English, Word Version of the Easy Read Version in English
2021:
1. The Pacific Resilience Partnership (PRP) Technical Working Group Report on Localisation links to realising the Framework of the Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP) an integrated approach to addressing climate change and disaster risk management in the Pacific, specifically on goal 3 on ‘strengthened disaster preparedness, response and recovery’.
Download: PDF version in English, Word version in English
2013
1. The “Fiji Disability Inclusive Community Based Disaster Risk Management Toolkit” is part of the pilot project in partnership with the Pacific Disability Forum which is fully funded by the Australian International Development Agency (AusAID) from 2011 – 2013. It is adapted from the Disability Inclusive Community Based Disaster Risk Management Toolkit for South Asia developed by Handicapped International (HI), a network partner in Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Network for Asia and Pacific Region.
Download: PDF Version in English
2012:
The Incheon Strategy goals cover development areas including poverty reduction, employment generation, political participation, ensuring accessibility in comprehensive terms, social protection, early intervention, education, and disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction.
Download: PDF Version in English, Word Version in English
2022
1. The Disability and Climate Change in the Pacific – Study done by PDF. The study was funded by the Australian Government with technical support from the Australia Pacific Climate Partnership and conducted in three Pacific Island countries: Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Tuvalu.
Download: PDF Version in English
Effective Pacific Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) are critical to the achievement of inclusive Pacific societies and efficient economies. They know and understand disability issues better than any other group. They are needed by Governments and communities as advocates, experts to inform policy development and also as providers of some services for people with disabilities.
To this regard, PDF in partnership with the Australia Pacific Islands Disability Support released a report focusing on the Capacity of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities.
Download: 2013 Capacity Development (PDF version)
Regional Frameworks
Since its establishment in 2002, the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) has been working to improve the situation of persons with disabilities across the Pacific, by engaging with national OPDs, civil society and Governments in 22 Pacific countries and territories, as well as Timor-Leste, in order to understand the challenges they face and identify practical actions towards an inclusive and equitable Pacific society.
This has resulted in Regional commitments and Frameworks to translate into tangible action. This section showcases the Regional Frameworks which have developed as a result of this work.
- 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent – Download PDF version
- 2050 Implementation Plan for the Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent – Download PDF version
- Pacific Framework for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2016 to 2025– Download PDF version
- Pacific Regional Strategy on Disability 2010 to 2015 – Download PDF version
- Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific – Download PDF version
- Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility – Download PDF version
- Pacific Regional Education Framework – Download PDF version
Organizational Policies
The Pacific Disability Forum has undertaken a comprehensive study into the role it plays as custodians of the rights of persons with disabilities in the Region. As such, the Forum has outlined a 5 year plan to towards achieving a “Truly Inclusive Pacific by the year 2030.”
A careful look at the Strategic plan of the Organisation will ensure you are able to walk with us as we map out goals towards that ultimate vision.
- 2021 to 2025 Strategic Plan for PDF – Download PDF Version
- 2016 to 2020 Strategic Plan for PDF – Download PDF version
- 2011 to 2016 Strategic Plan for PDF – Download PDF version
3rd Pacific Disability Conference on Disability (PRCD) Outcome Documents
- 3rd Pacific Conference Outcome Statement – Download PDF version
- Outcome Statement for Women with Disabilities – Download PDF version
- Outcome Statement for Youths with Disabilities – Download PDF version
6th Pacific Disability Conference on Disability Outcome Document
- 6th Pacific Regional Conference Outcome Statement – Download PDF version
7th Pacific Disability Conference on Disability Outcome Documents
- 7th Pacific Conference Outcome Statement – Download PDF version.
- Outcome Statement for Indigenous Persons with Disabilities – Download PDF version.
- Outcome Statement for Older Persons with Disabilities – Download PDF Version.
- Outcome Statement for Youths with Disabilities – Download PDF version.
- Outcome Statement for persons with Psychosocial disabilities – Download PDF Version.
- Outcome Statement for persons with Intellectual Disabilities – Download PDF Version.
- Outcome Statement for Women with Disabilities – Download PDF version.
Disability inclusion has been on the agenda for our region since 2009. Since that time, we have seen progress in many areas. Many mainstream development donors and investments now have disability inclusion policies or strategies. We congratulate and thank the Australian Government for leading the way in this area since its first Development for All strategy, and its successor, and are pleased to have this opportunity to provide our recommendations to strengthen the direction of DFAT’s new International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy (IDEARS).
PDF Submission to DFAT’s New International Disability Equity and Rights Strategty (PDF Version)