Region: Pacific
2024
Working alongside organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), national leaders, and technical experts, ICEVI Pacific submitted expert recommendations to the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to inform its Strategy for Disability Equity and Rights. The submission highlighted barriers to accessible and inclusive education for learners with visual impairment across the Pacific and advocated for greater recognition of sensory disabilities in future funding and policy strategies.
Impact: This joint advocacy effort contributed to a clear focus in DFAT’s new strategy on the rights and needs of people with sensory disabilities, including those who are blind or deafblind. The strategy now includes commitments to partnering with organizations like ICEVI to support inclusive education across the Pacific, creating new opportunities for collaboration, resourcing, and policy alignment. The process reflected how ICEVI Pacific and its partners work collectively to influence policy and ensure that lived experiences inform regional development strategies.
Led by ICEVI Pacific with contributions from OPDs, national leaders, and technical experts.