The Fiji Disabled Peoples Association is a National, cross disability Disabled Peoples Organization (DPO) and an affiliate of the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons.
FDPA believes that all human beings regardless of their differences have an equal and an inalienable right to health, education, employment,housing,transport. Accessibility and all other opportunities available to the general population.
To safeguard these rights, FDPA promotes the principle that disabled persons must have a strong voice, representing a majority share in the decision making process at all levels on issues impacting their lives.
Fiji Disabled Peoples Association
“Nothing About Us, Without Us”
The FDPA was founded in 1984 by a small group of people with disabilities and was later registered and incoporated under the provisions of the Charitable Trust Act in 2000.It is a founding member of the Pacific Disability Forum and a part of Disabled Peoples International.
It is also a National Disabled Peoples Organisation and an umbrella body to four major affiliates serving specific disabilities and sixteen community based branches.The four major affiliates are Fiji Association for the Deaf,Psychiatric Survivors Association,Spinal Injury Association and United Blind Persons of Fiji.There are four branches in the Northen Division,five branches in the Western Division and three branches in the Central Division.
The organisation adopts the United Nations Declarations framework and other related provisions.It involves in a number activities uncluding advocacy and training programs .The FDPA is is commited to ensuring that people with disabilities lead independent lives and are self represented at all levels of decision making.
The FDPA is governed by National Board of Offices who is voted into office for three years of service.It strives to employ proffestional staff who are people with disabilities to manage the organisation.
Most of the organisations activities are supported by local,regional and international donors
FDPA Vision
We have a vision of a barrier free,rights based society in which human rights and citizen participation,capabilities and diversity of all people with disabilities are identified,developed and respected.
FDPA Purpose
To facilitate our vision to be a leading disability advocate who strives for a barrier free and rights based society.
FDPA Values
We believe that all persons with disabilities regardless of our differences in age,gender,cultural background,religious affiliations, geographical locals, sexuality,or types or degree of disability:
- Have the right to enjoy life and to be respected at all times
- Are entitled to fully access health,educational and transport services as availble to the general public.
- Are ensured to have an equal representation by having a strong voice in the decision making process.
- Are entitled to live in and be part of the community.
- Are ensured to be provided with the appropriate training in order to be empowered and fully participate in their respective communities.