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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:14.0pt">PDF Weekly Update, 3<sup>rd</sup> September, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.15in;line-height:14.25pt;background:white"><span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#111111">Greetings from the Pacific Disability Forum.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.15in;line-height:14.25pt;background:white"><span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#111111">As I build up on the PDF weekly update, I would like to urge all DPO members to please utilize this platform to share what is happening
within your DPOs on a weekly basis. I sincerely hope to hear from you in the days to come in regards to next week’s update.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:.15in;line-height:14.25pt;background:white"><span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#111111">This week’s updates is on the PDF – 6<sup>th</sup> Pacific Regional Conference on Disability; new appointment at Legal Aid Commission;
renewal of the NZ Disability Action Plan; partnership to improve data source for persons with disabilities in the pacific; northern open day reflects talent of person with disability and my disability is what make me superhuman.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:14.0pt">________________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">PDF – 6<sup>TH</sup> Pacific Regional Conference on Disability<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">The first notice for the 6th Pacific Regional Conference on Disability has gone out last week to all PDF members, partners and friends as we look
forward to 2020 and beyond. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">With the theme: “>From Recognition to Realisation of Rights: Furthering Effective Partnership for an Inclusive Pacific 2030,” the conference will be
from Monday, 25th February 2019 – Friday, 01st March 2019 at the Tanoa International Hotel, Nadi, Fiji.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">There will be a slight change to the Programme Outline in this conference where the PDF General Forum will be first on the agenda happening on Monday,
25th February 2019. These will be followed by 2 concurrent meetings; the Pacific Regional Forum on Women with Disabilities: and the Pacific Regional Forum on Youth with Disabilities Tuesday, from the 26th February – 1:00pm Wednesday, 27th February 2019. The
Disability Research Roundtable will be from 2:00pm – 5:00pm Wednesday, 27th February 2019 and then ending with the Pacific Disability Conference: Thursday, 28th February – Friday, 1st March 2019.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">The 6th Pacific Regional Conference on Disability is organized by the Pacific Disability Forum in partnership with its member organisations of persons
with disabilities (DPOs) in Fiji. Funding assistance is provided by the Government of Australia through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">For more information on the Conference, please contact The Manager; Finance and Cooperate; Mr. Raveen Chand on
<a href="mailto:mfc@pacificdisability.org">mfc@pacificdisability.org</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">New appointments at Legal Aid Commission<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:16.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">
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</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_10" o:spid="_x0000_s1028" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Mr. Josko Wakaniyasi - President - Fiji Disabled Persons Association" style='position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:0;margin-top:565.6pt;width:171pt;height:192pt;z-index:251659264;visibility:visible;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:left;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="228" height="256" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D443B0.CD13A9B0" align="left" hspace="12" alt="Mr. Josko Wakaniyasi - President - Fiji Disabled Persons Association" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_10"><![endif]><span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">FIVE
new commissioners have been appointed to the Fiji Legal Aid Commission.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:16.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">The Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, who confirmed each appointee would serve a term of three years effective from August 23 this year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:16.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said they were excited to welcome the newly-appointed commissioners at a time when legal aid offices and services were rapidly expanding across the country.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:16.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">“The commission is already the largest law firm in Fiji, and it’s growing faster than ever; providing greater access to justice and free legal services to those Fijians without the means to afford a
lawyer,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:16.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">He said this year, they had opened new Legal Aid offices in Savusavu, Korovou, Nabouwalu and Levuka, with plans to open new offices in Taveuni, Keyasi and Seaqaqa soon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:16.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">“Our new appointees from the legal fraternity have decades of combined experience in the public and private legal sector where they have acquired a range of impressive skill set that will be a huge asset
to the work of the commission,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;line-height:16.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">The new appointments include legal practitioners Mele Rakai, Virisila Lidise, Ritesh Naidu, president of the Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation Joshko Wakaniyasi, and chief executive officer of the Frank
Hilton School Sureni Perera.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:16.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Renewal of the NZ Disability Action Plan<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">The current Disability Action Plan (2014-2018) is due for renewal. We will also be consulting on the priority actions for the new Disability Action Plan (2019 – 2022). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">The Minister for Disability Issues, Hon Carmel Sepuloni, has been taking the opportunities when she visits the regions to meet with disabled people
and listen to ideas on what might be in the new Action Plan. Those visits have included Whangarei, Tauranga, Invercargill and Rotorua.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">There are six key issue that have already been highlighted by the Independent Monitoring Mechanism (the Human Rights Commission, the Office of the
Ombudsman and the Disabled Peoples Coalition) for progress with Ministers in the new Action Plan: employment, housing, disability data, accessible government information, inclusive education and seclusion and restraint. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">There will be some incomplete actions from the current Action Plan which will need continued work in the new Action Plan alongside other new actions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Partnership to improve data for people with disabilities in the Pacific<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">SUVA,29 AUGUST 2018 (UNICEF/SPC) – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and The Pacific Community (SPC)
announced a new </span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.fijitimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/unicef_spc_data_pacific_women_children_08.2018.jpg" style='position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:0;margin-top:916.45pt;width:225.75pt;height:157.5pt;z-index:251660288;visibility:visible;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:left;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="301" height="210" src="cid:image004.jpg@01D443B0.CD13A9B0" align="left" hspace="12" alt="http://www.fijitimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/unicef_spc_data_pacific_women_children_08.2018.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2"><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">partnership
to support the strengthening of data collection and data analysis to improve the lives of the most vulnerable children, women and people with disabilities across the Pacific islands and territories.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;text-align:justify;line-height:16.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">The collection and dissemination of reliable data of children and women worldwide is vital to identify and plan for their needs and to inform policies.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;text-align:justify;line-height:16.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">UNICEF Representative, Sheldon Yett, said, “Statistically sound and internationally comparable data is essential for the targeting of resources to reach the Sustainable Development Goals
and meet the needs of the most vulnerable. We welcome this partnership with SPC, which will work towards ensuring that global best practices are in place for data collection and analysis for women and children in the Pacific.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;text-align:justify;line-height:16.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">Through the collection of quality data, decision-makers are able to make positive change by identifying needs and monitoring progress in their countries. Quality data is essential for
measuring a country’s progress against the Sustainable Development Goals and currently in the Pacific islands, there is a lack of data to accurately measure this progress.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;text-align:justify;line-height:16.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">Highlighting the potential impact of this agreement for the Pacific, SPC’s deputy director general Audrey Aumua, said: “Good policy is formed on a foundation of good data. Through this
agreement, SPC and UNICEF will be able to better support the work of Pacific leaders to improve the lives of women and children across our region.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;text-align:justify;line-height:16.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">The new UNICEF-SPC partnership aims to support Pacific island governments to:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:16.5pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;vertical-align:baseline">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">improve the quality and standards of data collection for children, women and people with disabilities;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:16.5pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;vertical-align:baseline">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">analyse and utilize new and existing data to report and monitor the situation of children, women and people with disabilities; and<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:16.5pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;vertical-align:baseline">
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</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">disseminate statistics, engage stakeholders and advocate for the collection and use of statistics in policy formulation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;text-align:justify;line-height:16.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">This new initiative is aligned to the joint UN Data, Monitoring and Evaluation Group, established in Fiji and Samoa, which coordinates efforts to improve data collection, analysis and
utilization for evidence based decision making and policy development in the Pacific islands and territories.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;text-align:justify;line-height:16.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">The 2017 World Bank Statistical Capacity Indicator reports that the Pacific Island countries rank significantly below the Asia-Pacific regional average and that the Pacific needs to
improve specifically on health and poverty surveys as well as vital registration systems. Insufficient or no data risks leaving children behind on critical issues such as improving health, sanitation, education, and protecting children from violence, abuse
and exploitation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;text-align:justify;line-height:16.5pt;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">Regional initiatives, such as the Ten Year Pacific Statistics Strategy (TYPSS), seek to address some data collection challenges, however, despite these efforts, greater attention is
needed to produce regular statistics on marginalised populations, including children, women and people with disabilities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Northern open day reflects talents of people with disability<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="ONLINE Recipients of FNCDP in Labasa showcase their handwork during today's Open Day at the school. Picture: SERAFINA SILAITOGA" style='position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:0;margin-top:1428.8pt;width:185.25pt;height:153.75pt;z-index:251661312;visibility:visible;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:left;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
<v:imagedata src="cid:image006.jpg@01D443B0.CD13A9B0" o:title="" />
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="f" />
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="247" height="205" src="cid:image006.jpg@01D443B0.CD13A9B0" align="left" hspace="12" alt="ONLINE Recipients of FNCDP in Labasa showcase their handwork during today's Open Day at the school. Picture: SERAFINA SILAITOGA" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_3"><![endif]><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">The
Fiji Times (Serafina Silaitoga) - VARIOUS artwork displayed at the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons Open Day today reflects the talents and abilities of people with disability in Labasa.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">These were the words of FNCDP executive officer Kaushilya Devi as their students showcased their handicraft work at the institution.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">“We need to create awareness to tell society about the work done by disabled people and this is why we have an annual open day,” Ms Devi said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">“This open day is to also tell communities that we have a centre and facilities that cater for disabled people so families with disabled members can
bring their loved ones here to learn basic skills to support themselves in life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">“This is very important so we teach and train our students ensuring that their abilities are shown through their handicraft and art work.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">The handicraft work included interior decorations, towel holders, cushion and couch covers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">My disability is what makes me superhuman<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"> By Brandon Cook – Sydney Herald<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">When I was three years old, I couldn’t speak. It was a surreal reality that boggled the minds of doctors and my mother. They suspected developmental disorders: the lights were on, people were home,
but nobody was answering the door.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">One day I was shadowing my mother. She found herself looking in a mirror, and through it we locked eyes. She began to speak to me through the reflection, uttering every word she hoped I might one
day sound out. My eyes flickered between her lips and mine – and I slowly began to mimic her movements, until I formed a word.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">I didn’t have any developmental disorders. I was hard of hearing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">"If you think I’m living in a state of self-hating sorrow, you are sorely mistaken."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">It turns out I’m categorically deaf in my left ear, and have a slight impairment in my right. I have a vestibular disorder in my inner ear, which means that for the first half of my existence I
couldn’t play sports or engage in rigorous physical activity. If I copped a blow to the head or hit the weights too hard, I’d endure intracranial pressure that would cause me to lose more hearing. I’ve grown out of it, but you can imagine how the kids at school
let me feel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Being hard of hearing has seen me saddled with shame – but if you think I’m living in a state of self-hating sorrow, you are
sorely mistaken.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Imagine being able to shut out the sound of hollering street-slickers as you lay your head down to sleep – by simply rolling over onto one side. That’s my reality when I sleep on my “good ear”.
When I find myself shacked up next to men who snore, it’s a goddamn superpower.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">People call my deaf side my “bad ear”, but when I wear my hearing aid – a revolutionary technology that amps up the volume
and offers clarity of sound – I have access to an invisible range of features that you hapless normies simply can’t comprehend. Like <a href="https://www.hearinglink.org/living/loops-equipment/hearing-loops/what-is-a-hearing-loop/"><span style="color:windowtext;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none">hearing
loops</span></a> in cinemas. One click of a button and I can catch a whole film as though it were whispered from the mouth of the director, meanwhile you’re struggling to hear dialogue over popcorn crunching and couples making out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">The old aids even had volume knobs. Needless to say, I enjoyed a childhood of being able to eavesdrop on conversations and listen through walls, much to the thrill of my friends and the chagrin
of my teachers. And when I take out my hearing aid at the end of a long day, I’m blessed with a uniquely serene peace and quiet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">But it’s not all superhuman abilities and self-imposed silence. Sometimes there’s stigma.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">On the first day I owned an aid, when I was eight, I took it to school with me for show-and-tell. I remember holding it up for my classmates to see and explaining how it worked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">At which point a boy yelled out, “Aren’t those for old men?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">It was the heckling of a third-grader, to be sure. But just like that, I felt different. Not unique like beautiful flowers or snowflakes in the air, but strange. Deformed. It took a long time for
me to get over that sense of being so unlike my peers – to the point where, for a while, I stopped wearing my aid, at great cost to my education.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Indeed, it’s a feeling not at all foreign to those who are hard of hearing. When hearing aids were bigger – now they’re almost invisible – they hung from your ears like uncanny tags. When all you
want is to blend in, they forced you to stand out and, as they say, the nail that stands out gets hammered down.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">But it’s not just schoolyard hecklers who are out to make us deaf and hard-of-hearing folks feel like burdens to the taxpayer. Its infrastructure and society at large. Because what causes disability
isn’t physical difference or even punk kids – it’s a disabling environment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">For every comedic video on your news feed that lacks closed captioning – a feature entirely feasible for any media outlet worth its salt - an entire community of deaf people are unable to chuckle,
too. We’re excluded from enjoying cinema, because though some venues have induction loops, captioning sessions is a strange and foreign concept. Speaking of hearing loops: Public transportation is severely lacking in this regard. Flinders Street Station in
Melbourne, for example, has had just the one hearing induction loop, solely on Platform One – since 1978.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">And when hearing aids cost around $2,500 a pop, unattainability of what should be acquirable care can lead to lost opportunities for the young and poor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">I spent years feeling separate from the flock, a black sheep nursing wounds I never asked for. I would stare out the window at clinics as audiologists tested my hearing, thinking to myself, “So
this is who I am. I’m one of the unlucky ones.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">But the thing is, I was wrong. It isn’t my responsibility to elevate myself to whatever common folk deem “normal” – that belongs to the society that inhibits me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">I am lucky. I can listen to music, enjoy films, and catch whispered sweet nothings. Some of us have it differently, perhaps what hearing folk might see as worse – but they, too, can enjoy their
time just the same. I am deaf, but I can still hear everything. I am blessed with wonderful lived experience, and I am human.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Sometimes, I’m even superhuman.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Thanks and Blessed Week!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Solo.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Soloveni Vitoso<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Public Relations & Communication Officer<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Pacific Disability Forum<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Ground Floor | Kadavu House<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Victoria Parade | Suva<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Fiji<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Phone: (+679) 3312008 | (+679) 3307530</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Mobile: (+679) 8912656</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Fax: (+679) 3310469</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Skype: Soloveni.vitoso</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Email: </span><u><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1155CC"><a href="mailto:infor@pacificdisability.org"><span style="color:blue">infor@pacificdisability.org</span></a></span></u><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"> </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Website: </span><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black"><a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.pacificdisability.org%2f&c=E,1,If0z8o95mb94uk4KDWU-Tr-TH_UiiV5O4Pz9J4TSREnERXcgdWH50W6mPnFuImIn8Qz_RAcGKmvccr0uiZ2ldgpjjWJ92jJPxU2DmShnGwI2-64RfMBtIfpnDFI,&typo=1" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">www.pacificdisability.org</span></a></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#002060">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PacificDisabilityForum/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1155CC">Pacific
Disability Forum</span></a></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#002060">Twitter: @pdfsec</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black"> </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#222222"><img border="0" width="205" height="69" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image008.jpg@01D443B0.CD13A9B0"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black"> </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;background:white"><b><i><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Organisation in special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Commission since 2012.</span></i></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><i><span lang="EN-NZ" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">The information contained in this email message is intended only for the addressee(s). If you <b>are</b> not the intended
recipient, you must not use, disclose, copy or distribute this message or the information in it, including any attachments. If you receive this email in error please notify the sender immediately</span></i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"> </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:#222222"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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