Government Implementation of the Standard Rules
As Seen By Member Organizations of
World Blind Union - WBU

Fiji

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© Dimitris Michailakis 1997 Fiji Society for the Blind, Fiji
No reply was received from the Government of Fiji.

General policy

The officially recognized disability policy is expressed in guidelines adopted by the national disability council. The emphasis in this policy is on prevention and rehabilitation.

The government has conveyed the message of full participation by means of legislation.

Legislation

The rights of persons with disabilities are protected by special legislation. The judicial mechanism adopted to protect the rights of persons with disabilities is due process (legal remedy through the court). The non-judicial mechanism includes independent expert bodies.

General legislation applies to persons with different disabilities with respect to education, employment, the right to marriage, access to court of law, the right to privacy and property rights. The following benefits are guaranteed by law to persons with disabilities: training, rehabilitation and counselling and independent living.

No new legislation concerning disability has been enacted, since the adoption of the Rules.

Accessibility

There are no rules to ensure accessibility of the built environment. The most difficult obstacle, when planning to build accessible environments, is lack of legislation and regulations. There is a disability awareness component incorporated in the training of planners, architects and construction engineers.

Sign language is recognized as the main means of communication between deaf persons and others. There are government measures to encourage media and other forms of public information to make their services accessible to persons with disabilities. The following services are provided in order to facilitate information and communication between persons with disabilities and others: literature in Braille, news magazines on tape/Braille and sign language interpretation being available for any purpose.

Organizations of persons with disabilities

There is a national umbrella organization. There are legal provisions mandating the representatives of persons with disabilities to participate in policy-making and to work with governmental institutions. Organizations of persons with disabilities are sometimes consulted, when laws and regulations with a disability aspect are being prepared. Consultations occur at the national level. The government gives financial support to existing or new organizations of persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities participate to a very limited extent in government, legislatures, judicial authorities and to some extent in political parties and NGOs.
The role of organizations of persons with disabilities is to advocate rights and improved services, contribute to public awareness and provide services.

Co-ordination of work

The co-ordinating committee is reporting to the Ministry of Health. It includes representatives of the Ministries of Health and Social Affairs, of Education and of organizations of persons with disabilities. The government expects the committee to participate in policy development but not to perform other tasks. It is too early for an assessment about the effects the co-ordinating committee.

Too early for assessment if the Standard Rules has led to a rethinking of the approach to disability policy.

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