Page 14 - IB Sept-Oct 2020

Disability advancement in Fiji

As Fiji commemorates its 50th anniversary of Independence establishment of the Fiji Association of the Deaf 14th April, 2004
the Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation (FDPF) and its 4 affiliated or- and the Psychiatric Survivors Association on the 4th of September,
ganizations together with its branches reflects on its achievements 2006.
over the past 5 decades. Whilst these organizations were established to address specific
Originally established as the Fiji Paraplegic and Paraplegia As- issues and implement activities for its members the partnership and
sociation in the mid 1970s mainly focused on sports representation relationship with the FDPA remained strong and true. Understand-
for Persons with Disabilities, Organizations for Persons with Dis- ing that the organization had built its capacities to function inde-
abilities in Fiji begun advocating and carry out awareness on and pendently in most
for issues relevant to disability. In the early 1980s as the members areas there was still a need for a united approach to many ac-
of the association grew with representation of cross-disability there tivities to enable change. The establishments of the branches were
was a change to the Fiji Disabled Peoples Association in 1984. The also activated and begun formal partnerships with the FDPA by
change in name and re-structure expanded its activities and func- 2010.Today there are 18 Branches throughout Fiji. On 20th De-
tions representing persons with disabilities to meetings and forums cember, 2012 the FDPA realizing its role as the umbrella of these
national, regional and international. affiliated organizations formerly changed its registration to what it
is today the Fiji Disable Peoples Federation.

The contribution of these organizations over the 50years have
Many of our pioneers during this period volunteered their time
and committed to supporting their colleagues and friends to activi- resulted in multiple milestones for inclusion in Fiji including the
ties and functions of the organization. Without a registered office accessibility to Fiji’s currency for blind and visually impaired,
the homes of our pioneers were venues of operations and our public establishment of a Fijis Sign Language dictionary, establishment
for service delivery of mobility aid and appliances, achieving Fijis
parks were often converted into meeting areas. Reflecting back to
these times would leave people in awe but when talking to our first gold medal in Paralympic Games and etc. The lobbying and
pioneers the response commonly “those were the good old days.’’ advocacy of these organizations have also contributed greatly into
the recognition of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in our
National Constitution 2013 and Rights for Persons with Disability
Act 2018. There have also been significant contributions towards
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in our other National Laws
and Policies ranging from inclusive education, employment regula-
tions and etc.

This sentiment rings true as the numbers of its members grew
and its reach beyond the comforts of the capital and urban towns.
Realizing that whilst advocacy and awareness could be integrated Whist these inclusive processes are in place a lot more still
in cross disability there were also specific issues that were associ- is need to be done in order for persons with disability to realize
ated specifically to individual impairments. On the 17th of Decem- their rights. Our pioneers and predecessors dedicated time, efforts
ber, 1993 the Spinal Injury Association Fiji was formerly regis- and sacrifices enabling the recognition of the rights of persons with
tered to lobby specifically on behalf of persons with Spinal Injury disabilities. The responsibility is now not only with FDPF and its
in Fiji. On the 18th of March, 1994 the United Blind Persons of Fiji Affiliates nor only with the Disability Sector but with every Fijian
formerly registered specific to issues associated with persons with as we commemorate our 50th independence is to ensure a barrier
visual impairment and blindness. These were later followed by the free and inclusive society for all Fijians.

14 Islands Business, September/October 2020