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<b>Pasifika Weekly E – News</b></div>
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<b> 26 September 2025</b></div>
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<b> </b></div>
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<b>Happy International Day of Sign Languages 2025!</b></div>
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<b> </b> Today, the 23rd of September 2025, we proudly join the global celebration of this important day by reaffirming PDF’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility for all.</div>
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We are especially delighted to share that, for the very first time, PDF has welcomed a deaf colleague to our team. This milestone is both historic and deeply meaningful, reflecting our belief that every voice matters — whether spoken or signed.</div>
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By embracing sign language and creating opportunities, we aim not only to break down barriers but also to build bridges of understanding, respect, equity and equality.</div>
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Together, let us continue to celebrate diversity and honor the beautiful richness of sign languages around the world.</div>
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<b>Partnerships for Social Protection (P4SP) in Nauru</b></div>
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The partnership with Partnerships for Social Protection (P4SP) is critical for the review of the disability allowance for persons with disabilities in Nauru. This partnership enabled the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) to travel to Nauru ahead of the review
and prepare its member organization, the Nauru Disabled People’s Association (NDPA), to participate meaningfully in the process.</div>
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This preparation involved joint planning with P4SP to discuss the program and collaborate more effectively. It also included preparatory work with NDPA members so they could understand key concepts that impact the social protection concept for person with
disabilities, such as:</div>
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Disability</div>
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Disability-related costs</div>
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Extra costs of disability</div>
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Assessment criteria</div>
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Payment</div>
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Complaints/Redress</div>
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Ultimately, this critical partnership ensures that the review of the disability allowance is informed by the lived experiences of persons with disabilities, leading to a more inclusive and equitable social protection system.</div>
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<b>Pacific Disability Forum at the Vanuatu National Convening</b></div>
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The Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) was honoured to participate in the National Convening on Strengthening Inclusive Resilience, Gender, and Women with Disabilities, and Climate Justice, hosted by the Vanuatu Disability Promotion and Advocacy Association (VDPA)
from September 15–17, 2025.</div>
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Held under the theme, ‘Working Together for a Safer, Inclusive, and Greener Vanuatu”, the convening brought together Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), grassroots leaders, government representatives, civil society organizations, and development
partners <a class="OWAAutoLink" id="OWAb749cebd-e9fa-6c64-9b68-22497f17fb02" href="https://pacificdisabilityforumorg-my.sharepoint.com/personal/soloveni_vitoso_pacificdisability_org/Documents/Documents/PDF%20Weekly%20Updates%202025/iframe%20src=%22https:/www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FPacificDisabilityForum%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02g7Vc2JFcacEaPicz4ENgoU3umrVdyCtxCJzigvARs46BP6zLgpB8xEq1HBUYep7bl&show_text=true&width=500%22%20width=%22500%22%20height=%22792%22%20style=%22border:none;overflow:hidden%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20allowfullscreen=%22true%22%20allow=%22autoplay;%20clipboard-write;%20encrypted-media;%20picture-in-picture;%20web-share%22%3e%3c/iframe">
Read More</a></div>
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Pacific push for stronger gender equality at UN meeting</b></div>
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Solomon Islands Prime Minister and Forum Chair Jeremiah Manele have told the United Nations that while the Pacific has made progress on gender equality since the Beijing Platform for Action, much more needs to be done to elevate women in leadership and decision-making
roles.</div>
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“As we mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, the Pacific also celebrates its leadership legacy. A year before Beijing, the region launched the Pacific Platform for Action boldly placing gender equality at the heart of our regional agenda,”
Manele said at the High-Level Meeting of the 80th General Assembly. <a class="OWAAutoLink" id="OWAb3bbbac2-f462-b7ac-3def-fb5fb1d92f25" href="https://pina.com.fj/2025/09/24/pacific-push-for-stronger-gender-equality-at-un-meeting/">
Read More</a></div>
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<b>Pacific CSOs demand stronger role in regional decisions, warn against shrinking civic space</b></div>
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Pacific civil society leaders have called on Forum Leaders to institutionalise their role in regional decision-making, warning that shrinking civic space threatens democracy, transparency, and the delivery of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.</div>
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At the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) in Honiara Tuesday, representatives from churches, youth, climate action networks, and human rights groups used the CSO–Leaders Dialogue to push for permanent mechanisms to embed community voices in
Forum structures. <a class="OWAAutoLink" id="OWA451910e0-c262-14bd-4788-8388d9b84374" href="https://pina.com.fj/2025/09/10/pacific-csos-demand-stronger-role-in-regional-decisions-warn-against-shrinking-civic-space/">
Read More</a></div>
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<b>BVIPSI School Data-Collection: Early Findings, Next Steps and Funding Acknowledgement</b></div>
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<i>Prepared for the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) For circulation on the PDF list serve and Pacific media</i></div>
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<b>Overview</b></div>
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The Blind and Visually Impaired People of Solomon Islands (BVIPSI) is carrying out a school-based data-collection exercise across the Solomon Islands to identify learners with blindness, low vision, and other learning needs (including concentration difficulties).
The exercise is still underway; eight schools have completed the survey so far. The information collected will be analysed and formally handed over to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), who will then coordinate appropriate services
and accommodations for identified students.</div>
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<b>Method and participation</b></div>
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Teams composed of blind and low-vision members, volunteers and trained teachers visited classrooms and completed structured surveys with support from school leadership. In one participating school, two trained teachers returned to assist directly with the survey
— demonstrating how local capacity-building increases both quality and ownership of the process.</div>
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BVIPSI respectfully recorded instances where schools declined to participate; a small number of schools did not allow the exercise, describing it as a low priority. Early responses from school leadership and staff Principals, head teachers and classroom teachers
in the eight participating schools have been overwhelmingly positive. Many described the initiative as “the first of its kind” at their school. Teachers repeatedly said the exercise enabled them to identify learners they had not previously recognised as needing
additional support.</div>
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One principal — who initially feared the activity would be disruptive — later acknowledged the survey’s clear value after seeing how it helped teachers better understand and identify student needs.</div>
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<b>Key early findings</b></div>
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<b>- Improved identification:</b> The majority of teachers reported that the survey revealed students who require visual support or other classroom adjustments but had not been formally identified before.</div>
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<b>- Concentration and attention difficulties:</b> Blind and low-vision volunteers and survey teams observed that many students in the surveyed schools show signs of concentration or attention problems. This emerged across multiple classrooms and is an area
that requires follow-up assessment and targeted classroom strategies.</div>
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<b> - Value of inclusive data collection:</b> Involvement of persons with lived experience (blind and low-vision team members) improved trust with students and staff and produced richer observations about classroom accessibility and learning barriers.</div>
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<b>Planned analysis and service linkages</b></div>
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Once data collection is complete, BVIPSI will undertake a systematic analysis of the findings and present clear, school-level and system-level recommendations to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD).</div>
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MEHRD will then work with schools and partners to provide the necessary services for identified students — including, where required, enlarged learning materials, assistive resources and reasonable accommodations in class and during examinations.</div>
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<b>Recommendations</b></div>
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• Complete the roll-out so the sample is representative across regions and school types.</div>
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• Immediate follow-up to assess concentration/attention issues and implement classroom level interventions.</div>
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• Teacher capacity building on identification, classroom adaptations, and inclusive exam accommodations — scaled up across schools.</div>
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• Strengthen referral pathways between schools, MEHRD, and specialist services to ensure timely access to assistive materials (e.g., enlarged print, tactile resources).</div>
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• Target outreach to schools that declined participation so they understand the benefits and can opt in for future rounds.</div>
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<b>Funding and partnership acknowledgement</b></div>
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This data-collection exercise is funded through the Pacific People Advancing Change (PPAC) programme, implemented by the Human Rights and Social Development Division of the Pacific Community (SPC).</div>
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PPAC supports civil society advocacy and capacity-building across the Pacific and has a track record of supporting disability-inclusion initiatives in the region.</div>
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<b>Conclusion</b></div>
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BVIPSI’s school-based survey is already delivering useful, actionable information for teachers, school leaders and MEHRD.</div>
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By identifying previously unrecognised learners in need and highlighting concentration challenges across classrooms, the exercise provides a strong evidence base for targeted supports — from enlarged materials and classroom accommodations to teacher training
and system-level policy action.</div>
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As analysis proceeds and results are shared with MEHRD, BVIPSI looks forward to working with partners across the Pacific to ensure these learners receive the timely and appropriate support they need.</div>
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<b>Contact</b></div>
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For further information, media enquiries or to arrange follow-up visits and training, please contact: BVIPSI — Technical Advisor, Eddie Babanisi. </div>
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<i>Have a blessed Weekly!</i></div>
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Kind Regards,</div>
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<b>Soloveni Vitoso | Interim Public Relations and Communications Officer</b></div>
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Pacific Disability Forum | Ground Floor, Kadavu House, Victoria Parade</div>
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GPO Box 18458 Suva, Fiji</div>
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Phone (landline): (+679) 7730200, 3312008, 3310469</div>
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Phone (Mobile)(+679) 8990134</div>
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Email: <a title="Soloveni.Vitoso@pacificdisability.org" class="OWAAutoLink" id="OWA5f6cf02a-59b9-4019-38fe-2afe53cd40ea" href="mailto:Soloveni.Vitoso@pacificdisability.org">
Soloveni.Vitoso@pacificdisability.org</a></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Website: </span><span style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114);"><a style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); margin: 0px;" title="http://www.pacificdisability.org/" class="OWAAutoLink" id="OWA73d227b2-71d3-3420-2c16-ce325f9e580d" href="http://www.pacificdisability.org/">www.pacificdisability.org</a></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
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<b>Organisation in special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Commission since 2012.</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: black;"><i>The information contained in this email message is intended only for the addressee(s). If you
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