About the VDPA

Advocating for people with disabilities in the Pacific is about advancing dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunity in societies that are rich in culture yet often constrained by geography, resources, and infrastructure. Many Pacific Island countries face higher rates of disability due to non-communicable diseases, injuries, climate-related disasters, and limited access to early health care and rehabilitation. Effective advocacy places people with disabilities at the centre of decision-making, ensuring their voices guide policies, programs, and community responses rather than being spoken for.

A strong focus of advocacy in the Pacific is shifting from charity-based approaches to a rights-based framework aligned with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This means promoting inclusive education, accessible health services, decent work, and participation in public life, even in remote outer islands. Regional organisations such as the Pacific Disability Forum play a critical role in supporting Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs), strengthening leadership, and ensuring Pacific perspectives are represented in regional and global forums.