Pacific Disability Forum

Pacific Disability Forum Pacific Disability Forum is a partnership of Pacific Organisations of and for Persons with Disabilities.
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Vision

The Pacific Disability Forum envisions: A Pacific society, Pacific culture positive, and inclusive of indigenous cultures, gender equitable, barrier-free and rights-based, that promotes full participation and equality of opportunities for all people with disabilities in all aspects of life including children, women, and men in isolated island atolls, remote, rural and urban areas.

SIMS GEDSI National Stakeholder Workshop – Honiara, Solomon IslandsFrom 1–5 June 2026, the Pacific Disability Forum, alo...
05/06/2026

SIMS GEDSI National Stakeholder Workshop – Honiara, Solomon Islands

From 1–5 June 2026, the Pacific Disability Forum, alongside partners, has been engaged in supporting the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service (SIMS) GEDSI National Stakeholder Workshop in Honiara.

This five-day workshop marks a critical step in strengthening Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) across meteorological and climate services in Solomon Islands.

What the week focused on:

Building a shared understanding of GEDSI in weather, climate, and early warning services.

Amplifying community voices, including persons with disabilities, women, and youth

Identifying barriers to accessing climate information and services

Developing inclusive communication approaches and accessible products.

Strengthening partnerships with Disabled Persons’ Organisations (DPOs) and women’s groups.

Translating commitments into a practical Implementation Action Plan with clear roles and timelines.

The workshop brought together government ministries, civil society, DPOs, women’s organisations, and development partners, ensuring a truly collaborative approach to inclusive service delivery.

By the end of the week, stakeholders are working towards endorsing and signing a shared GEDSI Implementation Action Plan, setting a clear pathway for making climate services more inclusive, accessible, and responsive to all communities.

This work directly contributes to ensuring that early warning systems and climate services reach those most often left behind.

Vinaka to all partners and participants for their commitment to advancing inclusion across the Pacific.

04/06/2026

Mataafa elected as Secretary of the IDA General Assembly

Nuanua o le Alofa Disability Advocacy organisation (NOLA) General Manager, Mataafa Faatino Utumapu has been elected as the Secretary of the International Disability Alliance (IDA) General Assembly.
The election was held on 28th May 2026.
Mataafa is also the Co-Chair of the Pacific Disability Forum and is a fierce advocate for the rights, dignity, and global representation of persons with disabilities.
IDA is an alliance of networks which brings together over 1,100 organisations of persons with disabilities and their families from across eight global and six regional networks.
The alliance promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities across global efforts to advance human rights and sustainable development and support organisations of persons with disabilities to hold their governments to account and advocate for change locally, nationally and internationally.
Mataafa credits her latest achievement to NOLA Board and members, her parents, Retired Church Minister, Rev. Masunu Utumapu and Senerita and also her families and supporters.
She is honoured and will continue to advocate for the rights and accessibility of persons with disabilities.
"I am deeply honoured by the trust placed in me to serve as General Secretary of the International Disability Alliance,” said Mataafa.
“This appointment is not only a personal milestone, but a testament to the collective leadership and advocacy of persons with disabilities worldwide.
“I look forward to advancing our shared vision of a world where the rights, dignity, and full participation of all persons with disabilities are fully realized."

04/06/2026

Vinaka FMA.

04/06/2026

The Pacific Disability Forum proudly supports the International Disability Alliance in advancing global inclusion. Persons with disabilities must be at the center of climate, development, and humanitarian action — ensuring accessibility, dignity, and resilience for all.

Together, with partners across the Pacific and beyond, we stand for equity, representation, and meaningful participation.




03/06/2026

𝐒𝐮𝐯𝐚, 𝐅𝐢𝐣𝐢 – 𝟒 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐓𝐡𝐞 Pacific Disability Forum (𝐏𝐃𝐅) proudly joins the global community in commemorating the World Day for Assistive Technology (World AT Day) on 4 June, a day that shines a spotlight on the vital role assistive technology plays in enabling persons with disabilities to participate fully in education, work, family life and community life across the Pacific and beyond.

Assistive technology, including wheelchairs, hearing aids, eyeglasses, prostheses and communication tools, is essential for independence, dignity and inclusion. Yet access remains deeply unequal. A recent annual review by an international assistive technology partnership noted that in some parts of the Pacific, only 5 to 15 per cent of assistive technology needs are being met, underscoring the urgency of stronger investment, service delivery and regional coordination.

Read More: https://bit.ly/49GNLSF

Today, on World Day for Assistive Technology, the Pacific Disability Forum joins the global call to make assistive techn...
03/06/2026

Today, on World Day for Assistive Technology, the Pacific Disability Forum joins the global call to make assistive technology more available, affordable and accessible for all.

From wheelchairs and hearing aids to eyeglasses and smartphones, assistive technology supports independence, dignity and inclusion. In the Pacific, access remains far too low, and we must work together to strengthen systems and reach every community.

PDF acknowledges the important contributions of partners including World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Fiji Mobility Alliance, and PhysioNet UK in advancing assistive technology in Fiji and across the Pacific.

03/06/2026

🌐 Webinar – Disability statistics in the Pacific

📣 Happening today!
How can data support more inclusive policies in the Pacific?

Join our online workshop today, co‑organised by SPC, UN ESCAP and SIAP.
👉 Explore how to connect frameworks (CRPD, SDGs, Jakarta Declaration) and use data to monitor progress and inform policies.

🎤 Featuring:
• Evelyn Wareham, Deputy Director – Statistics for Development Division, SPC
• Tingting Chen, Social Affairs Officer; Gawon Lee, Associate Social Affairs Officer; Mariyam Ashfa Hamdi, Disability Programme Coordinator – United Nations ESCAP
• Violet Savu, Director of Operations – Pacific Disability Forum
• Maria Fe “Anafe” Mejia Maravillas, President – Las Piñas Persons with Disability Federation (Philippines)
• Taiaopo Faumuina, Assistant CEO, Census, Survey and Demography Division – Samoa Bureau of Statistics

📅 June 3, 2026 | 2:00–3:30 PM (Fiji Time)
💻 Online
👉 Register here : https://bit.ly/4a6LZue

📌 The webinar will be recorded and shared after the event.
💬 Join the conversation and help advance disability inclusion through data.

Grateful to the New Zealand High Commission in Honiara for championing inclusive weather & climate services. Your suppor...
03/06/2026

Grateful to the New Zealand High Commission in Honiara for championing inclusive weather & climate services. Your support ensures women, youth & persons with disabilities are not left behind in early warning systems.

03/06/2026

A RECENT governance survey has laid bare a disconnect between Samoa’s political leadership and its people.

The majority of respondents believe leaders only look after the wealthy, that development benefits are unfairly distributed, and that only a select few – chiefs, business owners, and government officials – truly have a say in how the country is run.

Read More: https://bit.ly/49F07Lc

03/06/2026

A QUARTER of Tonga’s children live in multidimensional poverty, according to a new report released by Tonga and UNICEF.

The youngest children and those in rural communities face the greatest hardships.

Read More: https://bit.ly/4dYqFYV

Address

Level 1, Kadavu House, Victoria Parade, Suva
Suva City

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 16:30
Tuesday 08:00 - 16:30
Wednesday 08:00 - 16:30
Thursday 08:00 - 16:30
Friday 08:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+6793312008

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