Education for All with Disability in the Pacific
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Collectively known as the Oceania region, stretching across the Pacific from Australia to Hawaii, this vast region is among the most remote areas of the world. The majority of South Pacific islands are independent nations but France, the UK and the US possess territory within the region, along with Australia and New Zealand which both govern islands far from the mainland of their respective countries. Culturally and linguistically diverse, the people of the Oceania/Pacific region are hard working, friendly, traditional and adaptable, given current events including climate change and accompanying natural disasters which are altering how ancient cultures are surviving.
The challenges
- Most Pacific nations do not have access to high income, meaning services are difficult to provide and maintain.
- Geographical barriers cause difficulties with access, job opportunities and adapting to modern economic conditions.
- People with disability are often unintentionally excluded from education and other essential services that are deemed basic human rights.
- Providing such services, although vital and ultimately positive for all faces multiple difficulties with issues concerning the availability, cost and procurement of equipment such as Braille machines, computers with voice output software, magnification devices, hearing aids, etc.
- Lack of expertise and opportunities for specialist teachers and support workers to assist with addressing the needs of people with disability.
- Limited employment opportunities due to endemic discrimination and poor jobs market in general.
The positives
- Public awareness of the issues pertaining to people with disability is increasing, resulting in active campaigns for better access to essential services throughout the region and the world.
- UN instruments such as the Convention on the Rights of People with Disability and the Sustainable Development Goals addressing inequality that exists for people with disability throughout the world.
- Advocacy groups that work for an inclusive, barrier free society.
- Governments recognising the value of inclusive societies and working towards better service provision.
- Service providers who often work with tiny budgets and limited resources but still form a vitally important path to inclusion for people with disability, offering everything from educational to medical and advocacy services.
- People with disability regionally and worldwide are achieving great things due to dedication, ambition and decreasing discrimination.
The goal
- This fundraiser seeks to increase educational and employment opportunities for people with disability from the South Pacific region. While this fundraiser primarily focuses on people who are blind, are vision impaired or deaf blind, it is likely others with disability will be positively impacted where services may provide for people with varying disabilities, including vision impairment. Direct beneficiaries range from service providers who need financial assistance to purchase essential equipment to individuals requiring Braille machines, computers with voice output, etc for employment and-or study opportunities and small grants to help kickstart a small business or social enterprise that results in an income for the recipient. Disabled People's Organisations (DPO's) may also be considered for receiving assistance.
Why am I doing this?
Being totally blind myself and having worked in many Pacific nations for over 15 years, I am fully aware of the challenges and also have a passion for working towards a fully inclusive world. While it is desirable to assist others with disability where possible, I consider it more of us working together towards shared goals with the purpose of this fundraiser providing tools in order for that to happen. Every contributor to this fundraiser can feel confident every cent given ultimately results in an ongoing positive impact where people with disability are able to fully participate in such things as education and employment. With approximately 15 percent of the world's population impacted by disability and approximately 253 million blind people, that's a lot of talent the world is missing out on if exclusion from education and employment is allowed to continue.
I humbly and sincerely thank you for considering my fundraiser for your contribution.
Organizer
Ben Clare
Organizer
Corlette NSW
