2 days consultation on the draft National Disability Inclusive Development Policy 2022-2026 with DPOs successfully completed.
Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), Physio Therapy Rehabilitation Division have successfully completed a two days ( 21st & 22nd April) consultation workshop on the draft Solomon Islands National Disability Inclusive Development (SINDID) Policy 2022-2026 with Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs) at the Heritage Park Hotel, Honiara.
The DPOs involved include (PWDSI) People with Disability Solomon Islands, (BVIA) Blind and Visual Impairment Association, (SIDA) Solomon Islands Deaf Association and (WGWD) Women and Girls with Disability.
The Solomon Islands National Disability Inclusive Development Policy 2022-2026 once endorsed will be the five years national guiding instrument for disability inclusive development for the Country.
Some of the participants at the workshop
Physio Therapy Rehabilitation Division, Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR)Trainer, Mr. Elwin Taloimatakwa explained that the two days’ consultation is purposely to present the draft policy to DPOs to raise awareness and understanding so they too can share their experiences, challenges and difficulties as part of providing feedback towards the work on the draft policy.
“Basically having such a policy is to ensure that lives and wellbeing of our people with disabilities are made easier, more convenient and better and more importantly making sure that they are given space and the means through which they can also contribute meaningfully towards the development aspirations of our country”,
Similar consultations have also been held for government ministries and other stakeholders and with the completion of the recent consultation with DPOs, a final multi-stakeholder consultation session to finalize the draft will be held which will include government ministries, private sector firms Non-government organization etc.
Some of the Blind and Visual Impairment participants at the workshop
This policy is reviewed from the Disability Policy 2005-2010 and aims to strengthen the shortfalls identified while also taking into account current and new emerging needs and obligations for disability inclusive development in the country,” said Mr. Taloimatakwa.
“The Senior Executive Management of the Ministry of Health is prioritizing this policy as per their continuous support and previous discussions to speed up consultations and get the policy paper finalized as soon as possible,” said Mr. Taloimatakwa.
Meanwhile, People with Disability Solomon Islands (PWDSI), Office Manager Mr. Casper Faásala said the policy is created in a very simple manner that is easy to understand and more importantly that it is aligned to other related policies and frameworks both at national and regional levels.
PWDSI Office Manager, Mr. Casper Faásala speaking at the consultation workshop
“This disability policy is very unique in a sense that it is in alignment to regional frameworks, existing national policies, and the convention on the rights of people with disabilities”, said Mr. Faásala.
This consultation workshop is supported by the Women’s Rights Action Movement (WRAM) and People with Disability Solomon Islands.
MHMS, Physio Therapy Rehabilitation Division, CBR Trainer, Elwin Taloimatakwa speaking to the PDOs during the SINDID Policy workshop
ARK consulting firm is assisting the Physio Therapy Rehabilitation Division with the consultation and compilation of the policy.
Group photo of consultation participants and facilitators
-MHMS Press