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National Council for Person with Disabilities

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National Council for Persons with Disabilities Republic of Fiji
Who We Are

About NCPD

The National Council for Persons with Disabilities is Fiji's statutory coordinating body for advancing, protecting and promoting the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.

Who We Are

Promoting an inclusive and barrier-free Fiji

The National Council for Persons with Disabilities, commonly known as NCPD, works to promote the rights, dignity, independence and full participation of persons with disabilities throughout Fiji.

NCPD works with persons with disabilities, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, government ministries, statutory bodies, civil society, development partners, service providers, employers and communities.

Our work is guided by a human rights-based approach that recognises persons with disabilities as rights holders who must participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their lives.

Our Legal Foundation

Established under Fiji's disability rights legislation

NCPD operates under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2018. The Act establishes the Council and provides a national legal framework for protecting, promoting and enforcing the rights of persons with disabilities in Fiji.

The Act supports Fiji's obligations under the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Access Policies and Legislation
Our National Role

What NCPD does

NCPD coordinates disability inclusion initiatives and supports the implementation of disability rights across Fiji.

01

Disability rights

Promote awareness, respect and implementation of the rights of persons with disabilities under national and international frameworks.

02

Accessibility

Advocate for accessible buildings, transportation, information, communication, technologies, programmes and public services.

03

Policy advice

Provide disability-related advice and recommendations to government ministries, agencies and other stakeholders.

04

Coordination

Strengthen collaboration between government, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, service providers, communities and development partners.

05

Disability data

Support the collection, coordination and responsible use of disability data and statistics for planning, reporting and improved service delivery.

06

Awareness and training

Facilitate disability awareness, inclusion training and capacity-building for government, organisations, employers and communities.

07

Referral and support

Connect persons with disabilities and their families with relevant organisations, programmes, services and support.

08

Monitoring progress

Promote accountability and monitor progress towards disability inclusion, equal opportunity and the removal of barriers.

Our Approach

Disability inclusion is a human rights issue

NCPD promotes a human rights-based approach to disability. This means moving away from viewing persons with disabilities only as recipients of charity, care or medical treatment.

Persons with disabilities have the same human rights, choices, aspirations and responsibilities as everyone else. They must have access to opportunities and be included in decisions affecting their lives.

Equality

Equal protection, opportunities and treatment.

Dignity

Respect for every person's value and independence.

Accessibility

Identifying, preventing and removing barriers.

Participation

Meaningful inclusion in decisions and community life.

Our Journey

Important milestones

1994

National Council established

The Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons Act 1994 established a national coordinating body for disability services and rehabilitation.

2017

UN Convention ratified

Fiji ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, strengthening its commitment to disability rights and inclusion.

2018

Rights-based legislation enacted

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2018 replaced the earlier legislation and established the current National Council for Persons with Disabilities.

2025

Updated national policy

The Fiji National Policy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2025–2035 strengthened Fiji's national direction towards a rights-based, inclusive and barrier-free society.

Our National Presence

Serving communities across Fiji

NCPD works nationally through its headquarters, regional centres, committees, affiliates, government partners and community networks.

HQ

Suva Headquarters

National leadership, policy coordination, administration, data, programmes and stakeholder engagement.

W

Western Division

Regional disability services and community support coordinated through the Lautoka Centre.

N

Northern Division

Regional disability services, outreach and community support coordinated through the Labasa Centre.

Partnership and Participation

Nothing about persons with disabilities without them

Effective disability inclusion requires genuine consultation and collaboration. NCPD recognises persons with disabilities and their representative organisations as essential partners in policy development, service planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Persons with Disabilities OPDs and Affiliates Government Civil Society Development Partners Private Sector
Learn More

Explore NCPD

01

Vision and Mission

Learn about NCPD's vision, mission and future focus.

 02

Council Members

View the statutory composition of the NCPD Council.

 03

Affiliates

Meet organisations working across Fiji's disability sector.

 04

Resources

Access disability legislation, policies and publications.
Our Statutory Responsibilities

Functions of the Council

Section 5(1) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2018 sets out the statutory functions of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities.

These functions guide NCPD's work in policy development, coordination, advocacy, research, accessibility, disability data and the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Legal Reference

Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2018

Act No. 4 of 2018, Section 5(1), Functions of the Council. Select each category below to read the relevant functions.

18 Statutory functions
6 Key areas of responsibility
1 National CRPD focal point
01 Policy, planning and government advice Functions (a), (b), (c), (g) and (h)
(a)

Advise the Minister

Advise the Minister on all matters relating to persons with disabilities in Fiji.

(b)

Formulate national policy

Formulate a national policy that ensures that services are provided to all persons with disabilities in Fiji.

(c)

National plan of action

Draw up a national plan of action for rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities for approval by Cabinet and implement such a plan.

(g)

Inform government ministries

Regularly inform the appropriate Government ministries of the problems and needs of persons with disabilities and seek solutions to such needs.

(h)

Review national frameworks

Periodically review the national policy and national plan of action to determine their continuing relevance to local, regional and international realities.

02 Funding, organisations and disability projects Functions (d), (e), (n) and (o)
(d)

Financial assistance

Seek financial assistance from Government and aid donors, and support financial assistance applications from registered organisations providing services to persons with disabilities.

(e)

Register of organisations

Maintain a register of all organisations providing services to persons with disabilities and ensure that the independence of such organisations is maintained.

(n)

Register of disability projects

Establish and maintain a register of projects designed to assist persons with disabilities and seek national and international expertise, material aid and equipment for completing those projects.

(o)

Disability project funding forum

Operate as a forum where funding applications for disability projects by non-government organisations can be discussed and recommendations made to the relevant ministry.

03 Training, awareness and media Functions (f), (i) and (m)
(f)

Seminars, workshops and training

Organise seminars and workshops relating to the problems and needs of persons with disabilities and assist in training personnel involved in their care, training, education and rehabilitation.

(i)

Inclusive media representation

Encourage all forms of media to portray persons with disabilities in a manner consistent with the purpose of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2018.

(m)

Professional capacity-building

Promote the training of professionals and staff working with persons with disabilities in the rights recognised in the CRPD, so that they can better provide the assistance and services guaranteed by those rights.

04 Universal design and assistive technology Functions (j), (k) and (l)
(j)

Universal design

Promote research and development of universally designed goods, services, equipment and facilities that require the minimum possible adaptation and least cost to meet the specific needs of persons with disabilities.

Promote their availability and use, and promote universal design in the development of standards and guidelines.

(k)

New and assistive technologies

Promote the research, development, availability and use of new technologies suitable for persons with disabilities, including information and communication technologies, mobility aids, devices and assistive technology.

(l)

Accessible information

Provide accessible information to persons with disabilities about mobility aids, devices, assistive technologies, new technologies, assistance, support services and facilities.

05 Advocacy and international obligations Functions (p) and (r)
(p)

National and international advocacy

Advocate on behalf of persons with disabilities for the implementation of all international conventions and human rights matters in Fiji.

(r)

National CRPD focal point

Operate as the focal point in Fiji for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

06 Disability data and statistics Function (q)
(q)

National disability data

Collate data and statistics on persons with disabilities in Fiji.

Reliable disability data supports evidence-based planning, targeted services, monitoring, reporting and inclusive national development.

Our Commitment

Turning disability rights into meaningful action

Through these statutory functions, NCPD works with persons with disabilities and all stakeholders to advance equality, remove barriers and support full participation in every area of life.

Access the RPDA 2018
;

Total empowerment, equal opportunities and full participation in a barrier-free environment for all persons with Disabilities in Fiji”. And, that a fully/truly inclusive Society becomes a Reality.”

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