Pacific Disability Forum

19/06/2026

This week in Nauru, something important is happening. Bringing together OPDs, Airport Staff, and Transport Service Stakeholders, the Pacific Disability Forum, alongside the Nauru Disabled People’s Association, has been working at the heart of what truly makes aviation inclusive- people, experiences, and practical action.
The week began with powerful conversations. Through capacity building sessions, NDPA members explored what disability inclusion really means in the Nauru context, not just in theory, but in everyday life. Together, they unpacked access audits, tools, and methods, building the skills needed to lead this work themselves. Even with the change of weather conditions, the momentum hasn’t slowed. The team is continuing into the weekend a reflection of the shared commitment to making this work count.
Today’s training brought voices and systems together. Participants walked through disability rights, barriers in airport spaces, and the realities faced by persons with disabilities, with NDPA members sharing lived experiences that grounded the discussions in truth and urgency. The focus then shifted to solutions, introducing the airport access audit process and mapping out practical next steps.
💡 Because this is more than a training. It’s part of a bigger journey toward a fully accessible Nauru International Airport where everyone can travel safely, independently, and with dignity. 🌴 And with this, Nauru is stepping forward as the second airport in the Pacific to take on this important work.
This initiative is proudly supported by the Australia–Pacific Partnerships for Aviation (P4A) and the Australian Government (DFAT).
This is what inclusion looks like in action- partnership, persistence, and people leading change.

📸 Stay tuned as we share moments from the week.

17/06/2026

When Tropical Cyclone Bebe struck Fiji in 1972, Philip experienced firsthand how climate disasters can magnify existing challenges for persons with disabilities.

His story is a reminder that behind every climate impact is a person, a family, and a community navigating risks that are not experienced equally.

As the Pacific confronts a changing climate, ensuring persons with disabilities are included in preparedness, response, and recovery efforts is essential to building resilience that leaves no one behind.

Read more here 🔗https://zurl.co/CW7rF

12/06/2026

12/06/2026

12/06/2026

Expression of Interest (EOI)

Consultancy Opportunity – Supporting Women with Disabilities

The Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) is seeking to engage two consultants to support a new regional initiative in Fiji, Kiribati, and Tonga. This initiative will strengthen the capacity of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) while empowering women with disabilities through inclusive, sustainable, and economically viable development opportunities.

Consultants will work closely with PDF to support OPDs and women with disabilities in developing skills and systems related to the manufacture, distribution, and sale of reusable menstrual pads. This work will contribute to improved livelihood opportunities, enhanced participation, and greater economic empowerment for women with disabilities across the Pacific.

Open for Fiji-based applicants, particularly women with disabilities.

PDF is committed to promoting disability inclusion, gender equality, and meaningful participation in all aspects of this initiative.

Closing Date: 30 June 2026

For Terms of Reference, please email: Ms. Sisi Coalala – [email protected]

12/06/2026

Climate Alert for the Pacific

El Niño is arriving with 90% certainty. The impacts—drought, heatwaves, and shifting cyclone risks—will be felt across our islands. Persons with disabilities face heightened risks in water access, health, and disaster response.

The Pacific Disability Forum calls on communities and governments to ensure inclusive preparedness and climate action that protects dignity and resilience for all.

11/06/2026

PRESS RELEASE: Pacific Delegation Celebrates Historic CRPD Committee Election Success at COSP19
New York, 11 June 2026 — Pacific Governments and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) attending the 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP19) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) have come together in a strong show of regional solidarity to celebrate and support the successful election of two distinguished Pacific women to the CRPD Committee.
Miss Villarney Remengesau of Palau and Miss Faatino Utumapu of Samoa were elected to serve on the CRPD Committee following elections held on 9 June. Their success represents a significant milestone for the Pacific region and reflects the growing recognition of Pacific leadership and expertise in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities globally.
Pacific countries participating in COSP19, including Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Tonga, also joined representatives from the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the Pacific Disability Forum. The delegation also expressed its sincere appreciation to Pacific Permanent Missions to the United Nations for their overwhelming support throughout the election process.
PDF Chief Executive Officer. Sainimili Tawake says, "the election results have re-energized and electrified the Pacific delegation, inspiring renewed commitment to disability inclusion and human rights across the region." She further added that "discussions are already underway on how best to continue supporting Miss Remengesau and Miss Utumapu in their important roles on the CRPD Committee."
While the two Committee members will serve in their independent capacities and do not represent any country, government, or organization, Pacific stakeholders recognize the importance of maintaining strong regional engagement and collaboration to support their contributions to the global disability rights agenda.
The Pacific delegation celebrates this historic achievement and looks forward to working collectively to strengthen the implementation of the CRPD and advance the rights, dignity, and inclusion of persons with disabilities throughout the Pacific and beyond.

End.

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

PRESS RELEASE
Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) Calls for Power and Resource Equity at COSP19 DFAT Side Event on “Nothing about us without us ALL: Effective Co-Design with People with Disability in all our Diversity”
New York, 9 June 2026. The Pacific Disability Forum (PDF), led by CEO Sainimili Tawake, delivered a powerful call for transformational change in disability inclusion at a high-level side event hosted by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) during the 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP19). Addressing global leaders, development partners, and disability advocates, Ms. Tawake emphasized that meaningful inclusion requires more than commitment, it demands a fundamental shift in power, resources, and decision-making toward persons with disabilities. At the heart of Ms. Tawake’s intervention was the principle, “Nothing about us without us must move beyond rhetoric. Persons with disabilities must be involved from the very beginning not consulted at the end, but shaping every stage of decision-making.”
She underscored that co-design is not symbolic participation, but a process grounded in equality. “Co-design means shared power. It means we are not beneficiaries of programs we are partners defining problems, designing solutions, and driving outcomes.” Rebalancing Power Through Co-Design is fundamental and drawing on experiences of persons with disabilities must also be considered. Ms. Tawake highlighted that effective co-design challenges traditional development models by redistributing authority to those with lived experience. “For too long, systems have been designed for us, without us. Co-design shifts that dynamic, it places persons with disabilities at the center as decision-makers and leaders.” She reinforced that lived experience must be recognized as expertise, equal to technical and policy knowledge. She added, “Our lived experience is not anecdotal, it is expertise. When programs are informed by real barriers and real discrimination, they become more responsive, more relevant, and more effective.” CEO Tawake further says that, funding inclusion plays a key role, and it is a matter of equity and the urgent need to invest in participation of persons with disabilities, not just program delivery.
She stressed that equitable co-design requires dedicated resources to support the disability participation cost which includes accessible formats, captioning and sign language services, reasonable accommodation and support.
“You cannot claim inclusion if participation is not funded. Accessibility is the foundation of equality.” Prioritizing the underserved and under-represented groups must be part of co-designing. Ms. Tawake called for attention to the importance of addressing intersectionality,
She added that “equity is not about equal distribution it is about directing resources where they are most needed. Those facing multiple forms of discrimination must be at the forefront of our efforts.” Ms. Tawake pointed to the importance of partnerships between governments, OPDs and regional bodies and says that “true partnership means shared power and shared accountability. It is not about consultation it is about co-ownership of decisions and outcomes.” Ms. Tawake concluded with a call for stronger accountability to ensure co-design delivers tangible results. In her concluding remarks she says that “inclusion must lead to change and we must be able to demonstrate how the voices of persons with disabilities have shaped policies, influenced budgets, and improved lives.” Ms. Tawake was able to share the many co-design models the PDF had undertaken to ensure equity and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
End.