FIRST FORUM DISABILITY MINISTERS' MEETING ENDORSE PACIFIC REGIONAL STRATEGY ON DISABILITY
The first ever meeting of Forum Disability Ministers held in Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands, 21 - 23 October has endorsed a Pacific Regional Strategy on Disability 2010 - 2015 to support member countries protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities in the region.
The meeting, attended by representatives from 13 Forum member countries, agreed that the Strategy will also provide a framework for the coordination of development partners, governments and civil society in building a disability inclusive Pacific. It will also strengthen commitment of all stakeholders towards implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other human rights instruments that relate to disability.
The adoption of a Pacific Regional Strategy on Disability is a response to the directive of Pacific Island Forum Leaders as well a response to the spirit and principles of the Pacific Plan on enabling Pacific people to live free and worthwhile lives in the context of increased regional integration
The outcomes of the Forum Disability Ministers' meeting state: "The Pacific Regional Strategy on Disability will provide a tool to assist countries to set national priorities to address the articles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities."
The Forum Disability Ministers directed the Forum Secretariat and
development partners to develop an implementation plan including a
monitoring and evaluation framework and coordinate the mobilisation and
provision of resources and technical assistance for Forum Island Countries to implement the Strategy.
The Ministers also endorsed the issue of disability inclusive development as part of government priorities in all Forum Island countries; and agreed to designate a focal ministry to deal with disability issues with allocated budgetary resources.
They recognised the complexities of the links between human rights and
culture, and urged Forum Island Countries that have not done so to sign and ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the earliest practical opportunity.
The Forum Disability Ministers' meeting also acknowledged the contributions made by non-governmental organisations in Pacific Island countries to facilitate disability development activities at local, national and regional levels. They agreed to strengthen their governments' engagement with disability NGOs.
The Ministers requested the outcomes of their meeting to be conveyed to the Forum Economic Ministers' meeting that will take place in Rarotonga this week, so that disability issues can be included in the national planning process and in national sustainable development plans.
For more information contact Dr Helen Tavola, the Forum Secretariat's Social Policy Adviser on email helent@forumsec.org.fj
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE ILO
Click here to download this file
This document announces a renewed commitment within the Employment Sector to address more boldly the inclusion of disabled persons, an estimated 650 million people globally, in the work of the ILO.
The ILO has a long and successful history of working with disabled persons. Over the years, much of that work has been accomplished through the activities of disability dedicated specialists working with our constituents, social partners, NGOs and disabled persons organizations and through ILO specialists representing all disciplines.
KEEP UP TO DATE WITH PACIFIC NEWS
The ABC has some great services which enable you to keep up with news from the Pacific.
You can subscribe to a daily Pacific News email by going to www.radioaustralianews.net.au/emaillist.htm
Or have a look at the Radio Australia site for other options - podcasts, program transcripts www.radioaustralia.net.au/
A DISTURBING STORY FROM FIJI TIMES ONLINE - Wednesday, July 01, 2009
MOST people living with disabilities in Fiji live in unhealthy, inaccessible and unhygienic environment, a survey has revealed.
The survey, conducted last year in 10 provinces by the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons, showed that 7507 people live with disabilities in 10 provinces.
It is understood the survey has yet to be done in Cakaudrove, Bua, Macuata and Nadroga and Navosa provinces.
At the council workshop held in Labasa yesterday, executive officer Kush Prasad told participants that out of the total number of people with disabilities in the 10 provinces; most mentally challenged people lived on their own.
Although statistics have not been broken down because of current analysis of survey results, Ms Prasad said in Rakiraki they came across two mentally-challenged sisters who lived alone and looked after themselves.
"They were surrounded by their families and neighbors but these people don't look after them," she said.
"So the two sisters live alone, at times cook their own food and feed themselves and that shows that stigma towards mentally-challenged people still exist."
She said mentally-challenged women were discriminated against and struggled to be equally treated, like their male colleagues.
Ms Prasad said some cases in the Western Division showed how mentally challenged women were chained by their families or locked in a separate room.
"These people are not to be tied up but given love and care by their families because they are just as capable as we are.
"All they need is a lot of love and care from not only their families but members of society in general," Ms Prasad said.
The Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons was set up in 1994 under the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons Act as the national co-ordinating body. There are advisory committees for health, education, legal matters, housing transport, environment, vocational training, employment, and sports and recreation.
NEWS FROM FSM June 17th 2009
This week Congress has adopted the FSM National Policy on Disability. Well done to all.
NEWS FROM PNG June 17th 2009
In PNG, on the 25 June 2009, we will be officially launching the National Disability Policy and also swearing in the members of the National Advisory Committee on Disability as well.(Thank you to Ipul Powaseu for this news)
LAND AND WOMEN IN THE PACIFIC
"Land and Women: The Matrilineal Factor" - Joel Simo, Ana Naupa, Kristina Stege and Ruth Maetala and Dr Elise Huffer commissioned by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Click here to download this file
How well is our understanding of the current status of women in relation to land tenure, land management and access to land in matrilineal societies in the Pacific? This question forms the central objective of this research by Joel Simo, Ana Naupa, Kristina Stege and Ruth Maetala and Dr Elise Huffer commissioned by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in 2007. The researchers attempt to improve our understanding of the roles of women over land in matrilineal societies in two dimensions. One dimension is examining women’s role with respect to land. The second dimension is examining the role of women in leadership, including decisionmaking. Both dimensions are explored in terms of the past and the present thereby allowing for the changes that might have occurred over time to be observed and how those changes impact on women’s current status with respect to land and leadership.
(Thanks to Neva Wendt for this information)
IDA - Asia Pacific Regional Conference on the CRPD Implementation and Monitoring
MANILA DECLARATION
February 11-12th, 2009
We, the delegates from The Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Samoa, Fiji, and Republic of Korea being members of Disabled Peoples’ International, Inclusion International, International Federation of Hard of Hearing People, Rehabilitation International, World Blind Union, World Federation of the Deaf, World Federation of the DeafBlind, World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry, and Asia Pacific Disability Forum, all of which are members of International Disability Alliance (IDA) and participated in Asia Pacific Regional Conference on the CRPD Implementation and Monitoring, held at Manila, The Philippines on February 11-12, 2009,
We acknowledge the support of the Government of The Philippines, Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), and Katipunan ng Maykapansanan sa Pilipinas, Inc (KAMPI) for this Conference.
After due deliberation and having reached consensus on the implementation and monitoring of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) we make the following Declaration which shall be hereby referred to as the Manila Declaration 2009
GOVERNMENT
• We urge National Governments in the Asia and Pacific Region, to set the machinery in motion to ensure the signing, ratification without reservation, implementation and monitoring of the UN CRPD and the Optional Protocol;
• We further demand that the governments enact new legislation or amend existing legislation for Persons with Disabilities and related statutes to be in conformity with UN CRPD;
• We urge Public Authorities to change from a charity-based to a rights–based approach and from medical model to social model on disability as required by the UN CRPD;
• We ask all governments to initiate disability sensitization programs and to mainstream disability issues in all national agendas for the empowerment of persons with disabilities ;
• We recognize the vulnerability of all persons with disabilities with HIV/AIDS and we therefore request National Governments to address this urgent issue;
• We urge the Governments to include Children, Women and Youth with disabilities in all education and training programmes;
• We demand that Persons with Disabilities be represented through their representative organizations in law and policy making at all levels as required by Article 4 of UN CRPD;
• We recognize the positive role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the lives of Persons with Disabilities. We therefore urge the Governments to facilitate the acquisition of ICT equipments;
• We appeal for the enactment of Disability Anti Discrimination Acts in our respective Countries;
• We seek the full participation of Persons with Disabilities in the Asia-Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (2003-2012) in order to promote the accession, implementation and monitoring of UN CRPD;
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
We urge National Human Rights Institutions to include CRPD in their Plans and Strategies and constitute a Committee or Focal point to address Disability issues.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES
We urge International Development Funding Agencies to include Disability Dimension in all their policies and programs;
We urge International Development Funding Agencies to modify the requirements in the Agreements so as to enable DPOs to access the technical and financial support;
MASS MEDIA
We urge Mass Media to promote positive images of Rights and Concerns of Persons with Disabilities.
NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US
PACIFIC LEADERS WIN HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS
2008 RRRT/SPC Pacific Human Rights Award winners announced
Saturday 6 December 2008, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Suva, Fiji – Four courageous Pacific Islanders were yesterday honoured with this year’s RRRT/SPC Pacific Human Rights Award to mark the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The four will share a total of F$7,500 in recognition of their extraordinary efforts in advancing human rights throughout the region.
Organised by the Pacific Regional Rights Resource Team of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (RRRT/SPC), the awards were presented in a ceremony in Suva last night (Friday 6 December) by Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Secretary General Tuiloma Neroni Slade and International Human Rights Officer Tanya Smith of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
PNG Member of Parliament Dame Carol Kidu won the overall award for her outstanding contribution to promoting the rights of Pacific Islanders; Setareki Macanawai of the Pacific Disability Forum and Andonia Piau-Lynch of the Vanuatu Disability Promotion and Advocacy Association received special citations for advancing the rights of persons with disabilities; and Lynnsay Rongokea-Francis, a Cook Islander currently working with the Asia Pacific Forum for Women, Law and Development, received special recognition for her long-standing support for the rights of women.
Cricketers in Vanuatu.
June 5, 2008.
A STORY FROM FIJI
From the Fiji Times Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Survivor ... Soloveni Tubuitamana at Qarase House in Suva yesterday.
A survey carried out by the National Rehabilitation Medicine Hospital has revealed that of the 579 people admitted at hospitals in Fiji for traffic injury-related cases, most of them either ended up with traumatic brain injury or were paralysed and living a dependent life.
Speaking at the National Road Traffic Injury workshop in Suva yesterday, Doctor Tukana Korovou, from the Rehabilitation Hospital in Tamavua, said studies it carried out in 2006 showed that the most common disability resulting from road traffic injury included traumatic brain injury.
Dr Korovou said road traffic injury (RTI)-related disabilities admitted to the hospital from 2000 to 2006 included traumatic brain injury at 24 per cent, 23 per cent with paraplegia, which is complete paralysis of the lower half of the body, including both legs, 23 per cent with tetraplegia, which is paralysis from the neck downward, 18 per cent with amputation and 12 per cent with fractures.
Dr Korovou said much work had been made on the prevention of road traffic injuries and the management of road traffic injuries in the primary and secondary phases of medical care.He said little was known on the effects of tertiary care and it was perceived that road traffic injury-related disabilities had become a burden on society.
However, Soloveni Tubuitamana, who was seriously injured, disagrees with the thinking that disabilities worked against a person's development in life.
Mr Tubuitamana, who works at the printing and book-binding section at the Fiji Disabled Person's Association in Suva, was involved in a traffic accident in 1981 in which he lost the use of the lower half of his body.
"I was 24-years-old at the time and working for the stone crushing company that was building the Vaturu Dam, in Nadi and then on March 14, 1981, I was involved in an accident that changed my life."
Mr Tubuitamana said being 24-years-old and finding out that he would never be able to walk again or play rugby was a huge blow and he could not bring himself to think of life in a wheelchair.
"But then I was sent to the Rehabilitation Hospital in Tamavua in 1984 after I was released from the hospital and there I was encouraged to treat my disability as a chance at life."
He said patients at the Rehabilitation Hospital were encouraged to be independent and he learnt to take care of himself.
"I had many friends and used to have a fun-filled life but after my accident things changed and I learnt to value life," he said.
"I have never lived my life as a disabled person.
"I have taken part in international sports and athletics and I encourage anyone in my position to do so."
Mr Tubuitamana's sporting career did not stop after his accident and he took part in the special games in Hong Kong in 1982.
"Some people think that being disabled will stop them from living their life and doing what they want in life but I encourage them not to think that way."
He said it was understandable and normal for people who were victims of road accidents to feel depressed about their disability as a result of the accident but they should learn to make their disability a motivation in life.
"I work with the other people at the Disabled Centre and I am always encouraging them to see the positive side of things."
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FROM FIJI IN DECENT WORK
Advocacy Officers - Anaseini and Moushmi - from Fiji Disabled People's Association prepared information on people with disabilities in decent work for International Day of People with Disabilities - December 3, 2007.
The following profiles were prepared by Anaseini and Moushmi
AKANISI LATU
Ms. Latu works at the Fiji Vocational Technical Training Centre at the sheltered workshop as the assistant supervisor.
When she was 6 she had Polio and from then onwards her legs were getting weaker and weaker till she had to use the Wheel Chair.
Her job involves supervising of the trainees and assisting them in there work and organising working materials for the trainees. Her trainees are student who have multiple disabilities and it becomes really hard for her to assist them.
Her message is to look at our abilities rather then looking at our inabilities.
LANIETA TUIMABU
Lanieta is visually impaired [6% vision]. She works for the Fiji Employers Federation as their Receptionist for the past 6 years till to date.
She minds the switch board, does photo copying, sending faxes, receive incoming mails being hand delivered, ensure that members attend meeting held by FEF, make attendance list for the meeting, call around for board meetings and other meetings which are work related, and also gets access to emails and Internet and mainly correspond by emails to her fellow staff.
She is proud of working in such a decent environment, where there’s no discrimination.
.
The first ever meeting of Forum Disability Ministers held in Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands, 21 - 23 October has endorsed a Pacific Regional Strategy on Disability 2010 - 2015 to support member countries protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities in the region.
The meeting, attended by representatives from 13 Forum member countries, agreed that the Strategy will also provide a framework for the coordination of development partners, governments and civil society in building a disability inclusive Pacific. It will also strengthen commitment of all stakeholders towards implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other human rights instruments that relate to disability.
The adoption of a Pacific Regional Strategy on Disability is a response to the directive of Pacific Island Forum Leaders as well a response to the spirit and principles of the Pacific Plan on enabling Pacific people to live free and worthwhile lives in the context of increased regional integration
The outcomes of the Forum Disability Ministers' meeting state: "The Pacific Regional Strategy on Disability will provide a tool to assist countries to set national priorities to address the articles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities."
The Forum Disability Ministers directed the Forum Secretariat and
development partners to develop an implementation plan including a
monitoring and evaluation framework and coordinate the mobilisation and
provision of resources and technical assistance for Forum Island Countries to implement the Strategy.
The Ministers also endorsed the issue of disability inclusive development as part of government priorities in all Forum Island countries; and agreed to designate a focal ministry to deal with disability issues with allocated budgetary resources.
They recognised the complexities of the links between human rights and
culture, and urged Forum Island Countries that have not done so to sign and ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the earliest practical opportunity.
The Forum Disability Ministers' meeting also acknowledged the contributions made by non-governmental organisations in Pacific Island countries to facilitate disability development activities at local, national and regional levels. They agreed to strengthen their governments' engagement with disability NGOs.
The Ministers requested the outcomes of their meeting to be conveyed to the Forum Economic Ministers' meeting that will take place in Rarotonga this week, so that disability issues can be included in the national planning process and in national sustainable development plans.
For more information contact Dr Helen Tavola, the Forum Secretariat's Social Policy Adviser on email helent@forumsec.org.fj
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE ILO
Click here to download this file
This document announces a renewed commitment within the Employment Sector to address more boldly the inclusion of disabled persons, an estimated 650 million people globally, in the work of the ILO.
The ILO has a long and successful history of working with disabled persons. Over the years, much of that work has been accomplished through the activities of disability dedicated specialists working with our constituents, social partners, NGOs and disabled persons organizations and through ILO specialists representing all disciplines.
KEEP UP TO DATE WITH PACIFIC NEWS
The ABC has some great services which enable you to keep up with news from the Pacific.
You can subscribe to a daily Pacific News email by going to www.radioaustralianews.net.au/emaillist.htm
Or have a look at the Radio Australia site for other options - podcasts, program transcripts www.radioaustralia.net.au/
A DISTURBING STORY FROM FIJI TIMES ONLINE - Wednesday, July 01, 2009
MOST people living with disabilities in Fiji live in unhealthy, inaccessible and unhygienic environment, a survey has revealed.
The survey, conducted last year in 10 provinces by the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons, showed that 7507 people live with disabilities in 10 provinces.
It is understood the survey has yet to be done in Cakaudrove, Bua, Macuata and Nadroga and Navosa provinces.
At the council workshop held in Labasa yesterday, executive officer Kush Prasad told participants that out of the total number of people with disabilities in the 10 provinces; most mentally challenged people lived on their own.
Although statistics have not been broken down because of current analysis of survey results, Ms Prasad said in Rakiraki they came across two mentally-challenged sisters who lived alone and looked after themselves.
"They were surrounded by their families and neighbors but these people don't look after them," she said.
"So the two sisters live alone, at times cook their own food and feed themselves and that shows that stigma towards mentally-challenged people still exist."
She said mentally-challenged women were discriminated against and struggled to be equally treated, like their male colleagues.
Ms Prasad said some cases in the Western Division showed how mentally challenged women were chained by their families or locked in a separate room.
"These people are not to be tied up but given love and care by their families because they are just as capable as we are.
"All they need is a lot of love and care from not only their families but members of society in general," Ms Prasad said.
The Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons was set up in 1994 under the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons Act as the national co-ordinating body. There are advisory committees for health, education, legal matters, housing transport, environment, vocational training, employment, and sports and recreation.
NEWS FROM FSM June 17th 2009
This week Congress has adopted the FSM National Policy on Disability. Well done to all.
NEWS FROM PNG June 17th 2009
In PNG, on the 25 June 2009, we will be officially launching the National Disability Policy and also swearing in the members of the National Advisory Committee on Disability as well.(Thank you to Ipul Powaseu for this news)
LAND AND WOMEN IN THE PACIFIC
"Land and Women: The Matrilineal Factor" - Joel Simo, Ana Naupa, Kristina Stege and Ruth Maetala and Dr Elise Huffer commissioned by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Click here to download this file
How well is our understanding of the current status of women in relation to land tenure, land management and access to land in matrilineal societies in the Pacific? This question forms the central objective of this research by Joel Simo, Ana Naupa, Kristina Stege and Ruth Maetala and Dr Elise Huffer commissioned by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in 2007. The researchers attempt to improve our understanding of the roles of women over land in matrilineal societies in two dimensions. One dimension is examining women’s role with respect to land. The second dimension is examining the role of women in leadership, including decisionmaking. Both dimensions are explored in terms of the past and the present thereby allowing for the changes that might have occurred over time to be observed and how those changes impact on women’s current status with respect to land and leadership.
(Thanks to Neva Wendt for this information)
IDA - Asia Pacific Regional Conference on the CRPD Implementation and Monitoring
MANILA DECLARATION
February 11-12th, 2009
We, the delegates from The Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Samoa, Fiji, and Republic of Korea being members of Disabled Peoples’ International, Inclusion International, International Federation of Hard of Hearing People, Rehabilitation International, World Blind Union, World Federation of the Deaf, World Federation of the DeafBlind, World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry, and Asia Pacific Disability Forum, all of which are members of International Disability Alliance (IDA) and participated in Asia Pacific Regional Conference on the CRPD Implementation and Monitoring, held at Manila, The Philippines on February 11-12, 2009,
We acknowledge the support of the Government of The Philippines, Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), and Katipunan ng Maykapansanan sa Pilipinas, Inc (KAMPI) for this Conference.
After due deliberation and having reached consensus on the implementation and monitoring of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) we make the following Declaration which shall be hereby referred to as the Manila Declaration 2009
GOVERNMENT
• We urge National Governments in the Asia and Pacific Region, to set the machinery in motion to ensure the signing, ratification without reservation, implementation and monitoring of the UN CRPD and the Optional Protocol;
• We further demand that the governments enact new legislation or amend existing legislation for Persons with Disabilities and related statutes to be in conformity with UN CRPD;
• We urge Public Authorities to change from a charity-based to a rights–based approach and from medical model to social model on disability as required by the UN CRPD;
• We ask all governments to initiate disability sensitization programs and to mainstream disability issues in all national agendas for the empowerment of persons with disabilities ;
• We recognize the vulnerability of all persons with disabilities with HIV/AIDS and we therefore request National Governments to address this urgent issue;
• We urge the Governments to include Children, Women and Youth with disabilities in all education and training programmes;
• We demand that Persons with Disabilities be represented through their representative organizations in law and policy making at all levels as required by Article 4 of UN CRPD;
• We recognize the positive role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the lives of Persons with Disabilities. We therefore urge the Governments to facilitate the acquisition of ICT equipments;
• We appeal for the enactment of Disability Anti Discrimination Acts in our respective Countries;
• We seek the full participation of Persons with Disabilities in the Asia-Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (2003-2012) in order to promote the accession, implementation and monitoring of UN CRPD;
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
We urge National Human Rights Institutions to include CRPD in their Plans and Strategies and constitute a Committee or Focal point to address Disability issues.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES
We urge International Development Funding Agencies to include Disability Dimension in all their policies and programs;
We urge International Development Funding Agencies to modify the requirements in the Agreements so as to enable DPOs to access the technical and financial support;
MASS MEDIA
We urge Mass Media to promote positive images of Rights and Concerns of Persons with Disabilities.
NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US
PACIFIC LEADERS WIN HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS
2008 RRRT/SPC Pacific Human Rights Award winners announced
Saturday 6 December 2008, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Suva, Fiji – Four courageous Pacific Islanders were yesterday honoured with this year’s RRRT/SPC Pacific Human Rights Award to mark the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The four will share a total of F$7,500 in recognition of their extraordinary efforts in advancing human rights throughout the region.
Organised by the Pacific Regional Rights Resource Team of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (RRRT/SPC), the awards were presented in a ceremony in Suva last night (Friday 6 December) by Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Secretary General Tuiloma Neroni Slade and International Human Rights Officer Tanya Smith of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
PNG Member of Parliament Dame Carol Kidu won the overall award for her outstanding contribution to promoting the rights of Pacific Islanders; Setareki Macanawai of the Pacific Disability Forum and Andonia Piau-Lynch of the Vanuatu Disability Promotion and Advocacy Association received special citations for advancing the rights of persons with disabilities; and Lynnsay Rongokea-Francis, a Cook Islander currently working with the Asia Pacific Forum for Women, Law and Development, received special recognition for her long-standing support for the rights of women.
Cricketers in Vanuatu.
June 5, 2008.
A STORY FROM FIJI
From the Fiji Times Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Survivor ... Soloveni Tubuitamana at Qarase House in Suva yesterday.
A survey carried out by the National Rehabilitation Medicine Hospital has revealed that of the 579 people admitted at hospitals in Fiji for traffic injury-related cases, most of them either ended up with traumatic brain injury or were paralysed and living a dependent life.
Speaking at the National Road Traffic Injury workshop in Suva yesterday, Doctor Tukana Korovou, from the Rehabilitation Hospital in Tamavua, said studies it carried out in 2006 showed that the most common disability resulting from road traffic injury included traumatic brain injury.
Dr Korovou said road traffic injury (RTI)-related disabilities admitted to the hospital from 2000 to 2006 included traumatic brain injury at 24 per cent, 23 per cent with paraplegia, which is complete paralysis of the lower half of the body, including both legs, 23 per cent with tetraplegia, which is paralysis from the neck downward, 18 per cent with amputation and 12 per cent with fractures.
Dr Korovou said much work had been made on the prevention of road traffic injuries and the management of road traffic injuries in the primary and secondary phases of medical care.He said little was known on the effects of tertiary care and it was perceived that road traffic injury-related disabilities had become a burden on society.
However, Soloveni Tubuitamana, who was seriously injured, disagrees with the thinking that disabilities worked against a person's development in life.
Mr Tubuitamana, who works at the printing and book-binding section at the Fiji Disabled Person's Association in Suva, was involved in a traffic accident in 1981 in which he lost the use of the lower half of his body.
"I was 24-years-old at the time and working for the stone crushing company that was building the Vaturu Dam, in Nadi and then on March 14, 1981, I was involved in an accident that changed my life."
Mr Tubuitamana said being 24-years-old and finding out that he would never be able to walk again or play rugby was a huge blow and he could not bring himself to think of life in a wheelchair.
"But then I was sent to the Rehabilitation Hospital in Tamavua in 1984 after I was released from the hospital and there I was encouraged to treat my disability as a chance at life."
He said patients at the Rehabilitation Hospital were encouraged to be independent and he learnt to take care of himself.
"I had many friends and used to have a fun-filled life but after my accident things changed and I learnt to value life," he said.
"I have never lived my life as a disabled person.
"I have taken part in international sports and athletics and I encourage anyone in my position to do so."
Mr Tubuitamana's sporting career did not stop after his accident and he took part in the special games in Hong Kong in 1982.
"Some people think that being disabled will stop them from living their life and doing what they want in life but I encourage them not to think that way."
He said it was understandable and normal for people who were victims of road accidents to feel depressed about their disability as a result of the accident but they should learn to make their disability a motivation in life.
"I work with the other people at the Disabled Centre and I am always encouraging them to see the positive side of things."
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FROM FIJI IN DECENT WORK
Advocacy Officers - Anaseini and Moushmi - from Fiji Disabled People's Association prepared information on people with disabilities in decent work for International Day of People with Disabilities - December 3, 2007.
The following profiles were prepared by Anaseini and Moushmi
AKANISI LATU
Ms. Latu works at the Fiji Vocational Technical Training Centre at the sheltered workshop as the assistant supervisor.
When she was 6 she had Polio and from then onwards her legs were getting weaker and weaker till she had to use the Wheel Chair.
Her job involves supervising of the trainees and assisting them in there work and organising working materials for the trainees. Her trainees are student who have multiple disabilities and it becomes really hard for her to assist them.
Her message is to look at our abilities rather then looking at our inabilities.
LANIETA TUIMABU
Lanieta is visually impaired [6% vision]. She works for the Fiji Employers Federation as their Receptionist for the past 6 years till to date.
She minds the switch board, does photo copying, sending faxes, receive incoming mails being hand delivered, ensure that members attend meeting held by FEF, make attendance list for the meeting, call around for board meetings and other meetings which are work related, and also gets access to emails and Internet and mainly correspond by emails to her fellow staff.
She is proud of working in such a decent environment, where there’s no discrimination.
.