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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">PDF Weekly Update – 10 September, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><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">Climate change affects people with disabilities<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">Greetings from the PDF!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">About 10 - 15 percent of the global population, people with disabilities are individually affected by climate change. This population includes a wide array of mobility, sensory (visual,
hearing), developmental, intellectual and emotional impairments, as well as chronic health conditions. Many individuals have multiple disabilities and may experience social or medical factors differently depending on their race, gender, culture, language (including
sign language for deaf people), nationality, geography and other factors. Each of these sub-populations are complexly impacted with respect to health and requirements for assistance for survival.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">Climate change impact is more complex and enduring than natural disasters – and affects people with disabilities in dynamic ways. Examples of health and survival factors include extreme
heat harming people with spinal cord injuries who are unable to perspire and will need cooling centers. Effective communication technologies are necessary for alerting people with hearing impairments on evacuation planning. Ramps into shelters, accessible
bathrooms, and feasible evacuation transportation are essential for mobility-impaired persons, including those using respirators, and indeed for anyone unable to safely utilize standard buses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">Another significant impact upon people with disabilities as a consequence of climate change is that of forced migration, now occurring worldwide. Each of these many consequences must
be addressed regarding specific climate change impact on specific individuals and categories of people with disabilities. Of course, everyone is vulnerable in any kind of disaster or environmental degradation. We know that climate change impact is happening
now all over the globe. Adaptation, the advance planning and infrastructure-building in anticipation of impact is particularly crucial for people with disabilities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">PDF calls on the creation of disability inclusion, via specific measures of access and accommodations remove these barriers to participation in the mainstream community. This movement
is led by people with disabilities, and supported by families, service providers, advocates and policy-makers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">PDF believes that the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has greatly energized and encouraged people with disabilities around the world to view themselves as deserving
of human rights protection. Full inclusion in climate resilience will be a complex undertaking due to personal, social, economic and political circumstances of this community. Responses will require large-scale initiatives and strong collaborations between
stakeholders across the climate justice and disability spectrum.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">Thus like the COP23 and looking forward to COP24, It is fortunate that those currently addressing climate change and disability, respectively, are well-engaged with a social justice
framework. Both groups must understand the scope and complexities between climate change and disability. The key is thus to educate and activate these stakeholders to develop strategies to safeguard the broad, intersectional populations of people with disabilities
as climate change unfolds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black"> ************<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">For this week, we have Persons with Disabilities Most Venerable to Climate Change Impacts n Fiji; Usamate urges employers to employ persons with disabilities; living with disability obstacle to education;
</span><span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Sex and relationship education for women with intellectual disabilities the 'ignored curriculum;' New ministers for social services announced in Government reshuffle and the
</span><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Joint statement by the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).</span><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Thanks,<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">Soloveni Vitoso<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><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"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">‘Persons with Disabilities Most Vulnerable To Climate Change Impacts’<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.75pt;background:white;vertical-align:top">
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<i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Naomi Navoce from the Pacific Disability Forum delivers her speech during the CAPP Conference at the GPH on July 26, 2018.Photo: Simione Haravanua.</span></i><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:15.6pt;vertical-align:middle">
<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> By MAIKA BOLATIKI<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height:17.05pt;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">In terms of vulnerabilities to climate change, Naomi Navoce says persons with disabilities are the most vulnerable in terms of its impacts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height:17.05pt;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height:17.05pt;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">“Mortality rates of persons with disabilities in times of disaster are two to four times higher than those without disabilities,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height:17.05pt;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">The Pacific Disability Forum representative aired her concern during the Climate Action Pacific Partnership (CAPP) conference.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height:17.05pt;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">The theme of the conference underway at the Grand Pacific Hotel is “A Pacific Talanoa for Resilience, Ambition and Urgency”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height:17.05pt;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Pacific persons with disabilities are often unable to access humanitarian assistance due to the inaccessibility of humanitarian services, and non-availability of reasonable accommodation to accommodate
their disability-specific needs, Ms Navoce said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:17.05pt;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">She said in terms of being voiceless, they were often left out of the <i><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Talanoa</span></i> room because many assumed that they could not effectively
contribute to these <i><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">talanoa</span></i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height:17.05pt;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">“Or the venue, information or communication were not accessible for persons with disabilities,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height:17.05pt;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">“The loss of accessibility and damages to assistive devices during extreme weather events had multiple impacts on the lives of persons with disabilities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height:17.05pt;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">“This means they also lose access to health, education, food source, livelihood and other aspects of their lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height:17.05pt;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">“These contribute to our effective participation in society and live independently on an equal basis with others in their communities.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height:17.05pt;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">In terms of being marginalised and discriminated, she said persons with disabilities were left out of response and rehabilitation process when disaster struck.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height:17.05pt;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">She said they were often unable to access humanitarian assistance due to the inaccessibility of humanitarian services, and non-availability of reasonable accommodation to accommodate their disability-specific
needs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:17.05pt;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">She said they were often left out of the <i><span style="border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Talanoa</span></i> room because they were persons with disabilities or because they could not effectively
participate as the venue, information or communication are not accessible to them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:17.05pt;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:justify;line-height:17.05pt;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">No one she said must be left behind and the discussion must guarantee that all Pacific people were in the canoe and paddling towards the same direction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:17.05pt;vertical-align:top">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Edited by Percy Kean<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">Usamate Encourages Employers to Employ People with Disabilities<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Fiji Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Jone Usamate, while speaking during the public consultations in Navua and Sigatoka,
has urged all employers to employ people living with disabilities.</span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"> </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">“Under the new Fiji National Employment Policy 2018 which was launched on 31 August, Priority 8 focuses on how to make it easier for disabled persons and
the elderly to earn an income. As an employer there will be provision of tax rebate of 300 per cent for three consecutive years which will be given by Fiji Revenue Customs Service (FRCS) for employment of person with disabilities,” Usamate said.</span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"> </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">“According to the National Employment Policy, people with disabilities have limited opportunities for employment due to lower educational attainment, often
caused by lack of accessibility to higher levels of education. As a result, they have lower employment rates than the wider population and where they are employed, they often experience discrimination at the workplace.”</span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"> </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">The Employment Relations Act clearly states that people with disabilities is classified as an individual whose prospects of securing, retaining and advancing
in suitable employment are substantially reduced as a result of a duly recognized physical or mental impairment.</span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"> </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Concerns were raised by the public to Usamate if it was still possible for a person with disabilities to return to work if the employer is willing to employ
them.</span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"> </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Minister Usamate has assured that the Employment Relations Act states that an employer who employs 50 or more workers may employ physically disabled persons
on a ratio of at least 2% of the total number of workers.</span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"> </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">“If you are a person with a disability and looking for work, I encourage you to visit the nearest National Employment Centre and register for placement of
jobs. With this registration we will then take it to employers who may want to employ you.”</span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"> </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Workers and employers must clearly understand this and seek clarifications from the Ministry if they are unsure of any issues related to their terms and
conditions of employment.</span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"> </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Minister Usamate and his team started consultations on Monday from Navua to Sigatoka and on Tuesday from Nadi to Lautoka meeting with employers, workers
and the public.</span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"> </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">The consultations elaborated in detail the recent changes under the Employment Relations Law, Fiji’s new National Employment Policy (NEP), transition under
Workers’ Compensation and other employment issues that affect them.</span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"> </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;background:white;vertical-align:baseline">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Consultations continue today in Ba, Tavua and Rakiraki.</span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Open Sans",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"><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">Living with disability obstacle to education<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu, Samoan Observer News, 07 September 2018<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#606060"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_7" o:spid="_x0000_s1031" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="According to the report, about 10 per cent of persons with disabilities had no education compared to 2 per cent of persons without disabilities. " href="http://www.samoaobserver.ws/en/07_09_2018/local/36568/Living-with-disability-obstacle-to-education.htm" style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:3.3pt;width:230.9pt;height:158.4pt;z-index:251664384;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;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:margin;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' o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t" />
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.samoaobserver.ws/en/07_09_2018/local/36568/Living-with-disability-obstacle-to-education.htm"><img border="0" width="308" height="211" src="cid:image018.png@01D44936.250BF7F0" align="left" hspace="12" alt="According to the report, about 10 per cent of persons with disabilities had no education compared to 2 per cent of persons without disabilities. " title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_7"></a><![endif]><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#606060">According
to the report, about 10 per cent of persons with disabilities had no education compared to 2 per cent of persons without disabilities<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#606060"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:9.0pt;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">Persons with disabilities are five times more likely to have never attended school compared to persons without disabilities. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:9.0pt;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">This is according to the 2018 Samoa Disability Monograph, which is an analysis of the 2016 Population and Housing Census report, which was approved by the Samoa Bureau of Statistics
Government Statistician and C.E.O., Ali’imuamua Malaefono Tauâ T. Faasalaina, and U.N.I.C.E.F. Pacific Representative, Sheldon Yett. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:9.0pt;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">“Children and adults with disabilities face many challenges to full participation, are often the poorest and most marginalised members of society and therefore are most at risk of being
left behind.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:9.0pt;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">According to the report, about 10 per cent of persons with disabilities had no education compared to 2 per cent of persons without disabilities. It said primary education was the highest
level of education for 42 per cent of persons with disabilities compared with 32 per cent of persons without disabilities. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:9.0pt;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">The analysis further stated that only 37 per cent of persons with disabilities had attained secondary level education compared with 51 per cent of persons without disabilities. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:9.0pt;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">Persons with disabilities, the report said, face challenges in progressing beyond the secondary level education with only 7 per cent attaining higher education compared to 14 per cent
of those without disabilities. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:9.0pt;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">The report says persons with disabilities living in rural areas, particularly in Savai’i, were more likely to face these challenges.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:9.0pt;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">“Attendance data for the age group of 5–24 years showed a sharp decline at age 13 years, suggesting bottlenecks that impede the advancement of persons with disabilities to secondary
education. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:9.0pt;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">“Only about 38 per cent and 35 per cent of persons with disabilities could read and write without any difficulties compared with 68 per cent and 66 per cent of persons without disabilities,
respectively.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:9.0pt;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">Date in the report also showed a low proportion of persons with disabilities or about 2 per cent attending special needs education activities. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:9.0pt;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">“In the home environment, parents tend to prioritise education for the children without disabilities over the children with disabilities on the belief that the former stand a better
chance of achieving the success required to support the family,” the report added. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:9.0pt;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">“The prevalence of the concept of ‘fa’alavelave’ in the Polynesian language, in which cultural and religious financial commitments supersede other needs, can act as a barrier to continued
school attendance.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:9.0pt;text-align:justify;background:white">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:black">The report also noted the importance of improving partnerships between Government and Ministry of Health (M.O.H), Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture (M.E.S.C.), Nuanua O Le Alofa
(N.O.L.A.), Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development (M.W.C.S.D.), Samoa Qualifications Authority, National University of Samoa, Australia Pacific Technical College, development partners, special schools and inclusive education service providers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><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">Sex and relationship education for women with intellectual disabilities the 'ignored curriculum'<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">By <u><span style="color:#310099"><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/harriet-tatham/7109426" target="_self"><span style="color:#310099">Harriet
Tatham</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_6" o:spid="_x0000_s1030" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Shailaja Menon and Chloe Kearns standing against a wall, smiling at the camera. " href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-31/shailaja-menon-and-chloe-kearns/10067496" style='position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:0;margin-top:2.8pt;width:231.35pt;height:158.4pt;z-index:251659264;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;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:margin;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' o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t" />
<v:imagedata src="cid:image005.png@01D44927.C7F79230" o:title="Shailaja Menon and Chloe Kearns standing against a wall, smiling at the camera" />
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-31/shailaja-menon-and-chloe-kearns/10067496"><img border="0" width="309" height="211" src="cid:image019.png@01D44936.250BF7F0" align="left" hspace="12" alt="Shailaja Menon and Chloe Kearns standing against a wall, smiling at the camera. " title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_6"></a><![endif]><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">PHOTO: Shailaja
Menon (left) and Chloe Kearns have completed their training to become peer mentors. (ABC Radio Sydney: Harriet Tatham)<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">A relationships program designed by women with intellectual disabilities, for women with intellectual disabilities, is the first of its type to deliver
the sex education many missed out on, as it was presumed they wouldn't need it.<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 course, which addresses consent, healthy relationships and abuse, intends to help protect those most vulnerable to sexual violence and harassment.<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">It was designed in conjunction with People with Disability Australia (PWDA), which has trained eight New South Wales women as peer educators to run
courses across the state.<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">Wollongong-based mentor Chloe Kearns, 17, described it as the "ignored curriculum".<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">"A lot of my peers in mainstream education get taught about domestic violence, abuse, safe relationships and how to have a healthy lifestyle in a
relationship and a good sex education, unlike me in a support unit," she 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">"We get life skills and that's it. We don't even touch base with it.<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">"I think sexuality should be a normal thing in our lives, because other people get that, like my peers."<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">Fellow trainer Shailaja Menon also said she wasn't taught much about respectful relationships and sex at school, "but I think it's very important
to make that a general form of education".<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">PWDA senior policy officer Meredith Lea said while numbers were hard to quantify, anecdotal evidence had confirmed Ms Kearns and Ms Menon were not
alone in their experiences of exclusion.<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've spoken to people with disability about the fact that they were excluded from sex and relationships education in school settings, either because
they were physically excluded from that class, or it might be that they had an intellectual disability and they were seen to not require that education for their lives," Ms Lea 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">"Often times people with disability are seen as asexual or childlike, which isn't the case."<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"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_5" o:spid="_x0000_s1029" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Six women standing out the front of the People with Disability Australia sign. " href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-31/people-with-disability-australia/10067512" style='position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:0;margin-top:3.1pt;width:220.3pt;height:150.7pt;z-index:251660288;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;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:margin;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' o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t" />
<v:imagedata src="cid:image007.png@01D44927.C7F79230" o:title="Six women standing out the front of the People with Disability Australia sign" />
<w:wrap type="square" anchorx="margin"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-31/people-with-disability-australia/10067512"><img border="0" width="294" height="201" src="cid:image020.png@01D44936.250BF7F0" align="left" hspace="12" alt="Six women standing out the front of the People with Disability Australia sign. " title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_5"></a><![endif]><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">PHOTO: The
Sexuality and Respectful Relationships course will be run by eight peer mentors. (ABC Radio Sydney: Harriet Tatham)<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Women, disability and domestic violence<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Aside from curriculum exclusion, Ms Lea said women with an intellectual disability were also more likely to experience violence than women who did
not have a disability.<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">While there is limited data on the prevalence and incidence of violence against women with disabilities, reports suggest they are 40 per cent more
likely to be the victims of domestic violence.<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">Another report found that more than 70 per cent of women with disabilities had been victims of violent sexual encounters.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Ms Lea said she believed missing out on sex education was related and put women in danger.<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">"It's a huge and very serious gap," she 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">"It can mean that people experience violence and they don't necessarily recognise it as such because they've not had any information provided to them
about what is good touch, what is bad touch."<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">Ms Kearns said abuse was something she had seen first-hand and that change was needed.<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">"I've been in a disability support unit all my life and I've had a lot of friends fall victim of rape, sexual assault, domestic violence and abuse."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">"A lot of these girls had no idea where to go to."<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"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_s1028" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="A page of the course workbook titled, 'what I need to know about touching other people'. " href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-31/what-i-need-to-know-about-touching-people/10067498" style='position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:1.3pt;margin-top:2.85pt;width:246.25pt;height:168pt;z-index:251661312;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;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:absolute;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' o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-31/what-i-need-to-know-about-touching-people/10067498"><img border="0" width="328" height="224" src="cid:image021.png@01D44936.250BF7F0" align="left" hspace="12" alt="A page of the course workbook titled, 'what I need to know about touching other people'. " title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_4"></a><![endif]><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-31/what-i-need-to-know-about-touching-people/10067498"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">PHOTO: The
program has been co-designed and developed by women with intellectual disability. (ABC Radio Sydney: Harriet Tatham)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">For the Sexuality and Respectful Relationships Program, each peer educator will run eight sessions with the same group of peers over the coming months.<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">Project officer Paulina Gutierrez said the peer educators, who have just finished their training, will be based all over New South Wales.<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've got two Sydney-based peer educators, two in the Central Coast, one in Newcastle, two in Bowral and one in Wollongong, and each of them will
run eight sessions.<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">"It is a program that is based on respectful relationships. We're also discussing sexuality, healthy and unhealthy relationships which includes added
content in regards to the LGBTIQ community."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="People with Disability Australia senior policy Meredith Lea smiling at other participants. " href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-31/meredith-lea-people-with-disability-australia/10067500" style='position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:0;margin-top:3.1pt;width:238pt;height:163.25pt;z-index:251662336;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;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:margin;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' o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-31/meredith-lea-people-with-disability-australia/10067500"><img border="0" width="317" height="217" src="cid:image022.png@01D44936.250BF7F0" align="left" hspace="12" alt="People with Disability Australia senior policy Meredith Lea smiling at other participants. " title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_3"></a><![endif]><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-31/meredith-lea-people-with-disability-australia/10067500"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">PHOTO: Meredith
Lea says not teaching women with intellectual disabilities about respectful relationships is a serious issue. (ABC Radio Sydney: Harriet Tatham)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Teaching the next generation<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><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"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Ms Menon said while she wished her in-school sexual education was more formative, she acknowledged that her ability to teach other women with intellectual
disabilities about safe sex and relationships was a privilege.<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">"I can't do anything about the past and can only focus on the future.<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">"Seeing the difference that other people can benefit from this kind of project when more people know about it, I think that will be the best thing
for me.<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">"Having that power to educate women is a privilege and I don't take it for granted at all and I'm very, very happy."<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 project is funded through the New South Wales Domestic and Family Violence Innovation Fund.<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">While currently only offered to women, organisers said they hoped it would be extended to include men in future.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><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 ministers for social services announced in Government reshuffle<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">By Nicole Pope<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Two fresh Social Services Ministers have been announced and now sworn in by newly appointed Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, marking the fifth reshuffle in five years [Source: Shutterstock]" style='position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:-4.95pt;margin-top:-.85pt;width:248.25pt;height:189pt;z-index:251663360;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:absolute;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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<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="f" />
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width="331" height="252" src="cid:image023.jpg@01D44936.250BF7F0" align="left" hspace="12" alt="Two fresh Social Services Ministers have been announced and now sworn in by newly appointed Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, marking the fifth reshuffle in five years [Source: Shutterstock]" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2"><![endif]><i><span style="font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Two
fresh Social Services Ministers have been announced and now sworn in by newly appointed Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, marking the fifth reshuffle in five years [Source: Shutterstock]<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">
<hr size="2" width="100%" align="center">
</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Two fresh Social Services Ministers have been announced and now sworn in by newly appointed Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, marking the fifth reshuffle
in five years.<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">Paul Fletcher has been sworn in to replace Dan Tehan as the Minister of Families and Social Services, while Sarah Henderson has taken over from Jane
Prentice as Assistant Minister for Social Services, Housing and Disability Services in what will be her first ministerial role.<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">“Mr Fletcher is enormously qualified to take on this Cabinet position to ensure Australians have continued access to an affordable and sustainable
safety net,” Mr Morrison says.<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 Ministers took to Twitter to express their excitement and honour in serving their new roles.<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">“I am honoured to have been appointed to the Cabinet as Minister for Families and Social Services in the Morrison Government - a vitally important
portfolio which serves millions of Australians,” Mr Fletcher says.<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">“I’m honoured to be appointed Assistant Minister for Social Services, Housing and Disability Services in Scott Morrison’s new generation team. I am
looking forward to hitting the ground running in this important role,” Ms Henderson says.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Both Ministers were warmly welcomed by disability advocates.<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">“[Fletcher] has a great background in the issues to do with cities and urban infrastructure, so we will be raising the need for more accessible transport,
as well as accessible and affordable housing for people with disability,” Co-Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of People with Disability Australia (PWDA), Matthew Bowden says.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Mr Fletcher’s leadership will play an important role in the upcoming renewal of the National Disability Strategy.<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">“Sending congrats to new Minister for Social Services Paul Fletcher and Assistant Minister Sarah Henderson - and letting both know we are ready to
roll up our sleeves and help get the NDIS back on track,” Every Australian Counts says.<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">"Congratulations Paul Fletcher on being sworn in as Minister for Families and Social Services in the Morrison Government. All of us here at AFDO are
looking forward to working with you to improve the lives of people with disability in Australia," CEO of Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) Ross Joyce says.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Previous Ministers Dan Tehan and Jane Prentice were also acknowledged.<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">“Minister Prentice was in the position for a number of years, so I want to thank her. And we also hope Mr Tehan takes his experience in disability
into his new portfolio,” Every Australian Counts Campaign Director Kirsten Deane says.<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">“I think the Ministers should prioritise listening to people with disabilities, listening to family members and listening to people who work in the
sector, because these are the people who know what the problems are and what solutions are going to work best.”<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">CEO of National Disability Services Dr Ken Baker says he is looking forward to working through key disability issues with the new Ministers.<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’ll continue to seek resolution on key issues that could result in market failure for disability services, which concern capped pricing limitations,
workforce shortages and much-needed improvement of operation systems to be working smoothly to support the delivery of NDIS service,” he says.<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">Ms Henderson has already stated her intention to “be a strong and compassionate voice for all Australians who need both disability services and support
with housing.”<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 responsibilities I have in this role are obviously very significant and I want to make sure that all Australians know that as a member of the
Morrison Government I will be working very hard,” she says.<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">“I’ll be reaching out to [disability service] providers and of course to participants and their families.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">“It’s wonderful to hear how Sarah Henderson MP will fight for all those who are trying to access [the] National Disability Insurance Scheme,” AFDO tweeted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:center">
<b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:center">
<b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Guaranteeing sexual and reproductive health and rights for all women, in particular women with disabilities</span></b><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:center">
<b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Joint statement by the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)</span></b><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:center">
<b><i><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Wednesday, 29 August 2018</span></i></b><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) welcome the continuing progress made by States parties to enable
access for women, in particular women with disabilities, to sexual and reproductive health and rights. However, the Committees note with concern that there remain considerable gaps across all regions in the protection of these fundamental rights and freedoms
and call upon States parties to increase their efforts in this regard. The Committees are also concerned at the increasing rollback and regression on respect for international human rights norms that threaten sexual and reproductive health and rights of women,
including women with disabilities, who continue to experience intersecting forms of discrimination.</span><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">The Committees recall that gender equality and disability rights are mutually reinforcing concepts and States parties should guarantee the human rights of all women, including women with disabilities.
As such, States parties have an obligation to respect, protect and fulfill the rights of women, including women with disabilities, in relation to their sexual and reproductive health and rights. States must ensure the enjoyment of their sexual and reproductive
health and rights without any form of discrimination. Access to safe and legal abortion, as well as related services and information are essential aspects of women’s reproductive health and a prerequisite for safeguarding their human rights to life, health,
equality before the law and equal protection of the law, non-discrimination, information, privacy, bodily integrity and freedom from torture and ill treatment.
</span><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:35..4pt">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">CEDAW has emphasized that protecting women’s rights to sexual and reproductive health requires that “all health services […] be consistent with the human rights of women, including the rights to autonomy,
privacy, confidentiality, informed consent and choice.” States parties should ensure non-interference, including by non-State actors, with the respect for autonomous decision-making by women, including women with disabilities, regarding their sexual and reproductive
health well-being. A human rights-based approach to sexual and reproductive health acknowledges that women’s decisions on their own bodies</span><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:red">
</span><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">are personal and private, and places the autonomy of the woman at the center of policy and law-making related to sexual and reproductive health services, including abortion care. States should
adopt effective measures to enable women, including women with disabilities, to make autonomous decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and should ensure that women have access to evidence-based and unbiased information in this regard. It is also
critical that these decisions are made freely and that all women, including women with disabilities, are protected against forced abortion, contraception or sterilization against their will or without their informed consent. Women should neither be stigmatized
for voluntarily undergoing abortion nor forced to undergo an abortion or sterilization against their will or without their informed consent.
</span><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">States parties should fulfill their obligations under articles 5 and 8 of CEDAW and CRPD Conventions respectively by addressing the root causes of discrimination against women and persons with disabilities.
This includes challenging discriminatory attitudes and fostering respect for the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, in particular women with disabilities, as well as providing support to parents of children with disabilities in this regard. Health
policies and abortion laws that perpetuate deep-rooted stereotypes and stigma undermine women’s reproductive autonomy and choice, and they should be repealed because they are discriminatory.</span><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">In order to respect gender equality and disability rights, in accordance with the CEDAW and CRPD Conventions, States parties should decriminalize abortion in all circumstances and legalize it in a manner
that fully respects the autonomy of women, including women with disabilities. In all efforts to implement their obligations regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights, including access to safe and legal abortion, the Committees call upon States parties
to take a human rights based approach that safeguards the reproductive choice and autonomy of all women, including women with disabilities.</span><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:justify">
<i><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is the body of 23 independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women. The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is the body of 18 independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.</span></i><span lang="EN-NZ"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Wish you all a great Week!<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">Thanks.<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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<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>
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