Papua New Guinea Assembly of Disabled Persons (PNGADP)The PNG Assembly of Disabled Persons (PNG ADP) initiated in 2002 during an empowerment and training of disabled persons in leadership roles held in Lae, Morobe Province. It was attended by disabled leaders and service agencies. This was an international initiative funded by Nippon Foundation of Japan as a response to the United Nations-Biwako Millennium Framework. It was facilitated by international facilitators, who were persons with disabilities.
The purpose of PNG ADP is to act as the national body representing organisations of persons with disabilities, in order to promote and protect their rights and advocate for their needs. Through the work of PNG Assembly of Disabled Persons (PNG ADP) persons with disabilities will be able to live in a society that upholds their rights to be included in all aspects of life through the removal of physical and attitudinal barriers. This will be achieved by legislative and other measures to increase access to the physical environment, transport and information. It will also fight discrimination leading to equal opportunities for access to all services on the basis of right rather than disability. All forms of violence, abuse and gender inequity will be challenged and overcome, if necessary through the judicial system underpinned by the Government’s commitment to UN Conventions on Disability and Human Rights, national disability legislation and the full representation of persons with disability in Parliament and at all levels of devolved Government. As a result of these achievements persons with disability will be treated with dignity and be able to access all of the benefits and responsibilities of Papua New Guinea on an equal basis to all other citizens. This will include all poverty reduction strategies, development programmes and services such as education, health, employment and government activities. They will play a full and active part in family, social, economic and political life. To accomplish this PNG ADP will establish a structure of offices across the country, with sympathetic, qualified and experienced staff to support the development of provincial and local initiatives led by persons with disability. Through its knowledge of disability issues it will facilitate relevant programmes to increase the capacity of persons with disability to improve the quality of their lives and claim their rights. PNG ADP will also advocate with Government at all levels in a spirit of partnership for improvements in the lives of persons with disability and become a leader on disability issues in the Pacific Region. The PNG ADP has been financially supported by the National Board of Disabled Persons (NBDP) and DFCD. The current Chairperson in Ipul Powesau. To contact PNGADP email: [email protected] |
Ipul Powaseu, Core Chair of PNG ADP
making a point
