The Fijian Elections Office (FEO) today held a landmark Disability Sensitization Training, reaffirming the FEO’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility for all Fijians, including persons with disabilities.
While opening the training, the Supervisor of Elections, Ms Ana Salaivalu Mataiciwa, emphasized that true democracy lies in ensuring equal opportunities for participation across society.
“Disability inclusion is not about charity or sympathy. It is about dignity, fairness, and respect. Today’s training is a call to action to break down barriers and build an electoral system where no one is left behind,” said Ms Mataiciwa.
Ms Mataiciwa added that inclusion is not a chance occurrence but is something that requires proactive action.
“Inclusion does not happen by chance. It requires deliberate and sustained effort. Accessibility must be the standard, not an afterthought,” Ms Mataiciwa elaborated. The training which was conducted by the Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation (FDPF) brought together representatives from Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), and key FEO staff.
The key objectives of the training included:
- Providing a deeper understanding of disability and its relevance to electoral processes.
- Clarifying the roles of the FDPF and OPDs in promoting electoral accessibility.
- Developing inclusive electoral policies through a Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion framework.
- Conducting accessibility audits for polling stations and electoral materials.
The training also equipped participants with practical skills in voter data collection, using tools like the Washington Group Short Set questions, and strategies to engage respectfully and effectively with voters with disabilities.
This initiative further reinforces the FEO’s partnership with FDPF under its Key Result Area 2 on Partnership and Resource Mobilization, aiming to ensure that all electoral services are fully accessible and that persons with disabilities are empowered to participate meaningfully in the democratic process.
The FEO will continue to collaborate with our key stakeholders in improving services to persons living with disability to champion inclusivity in all upcoming electoral programs and processes.
