BY JOY OFASIA
FOCUSING on the equitable inclusion of people with disabilities in the Solomon Islands, a first-ever workshop that aims to transform lives through empowering and embracing oneself was held at the Wesley United Church in Honiara.
The theme for this training program is transforming lives through “empowering and embracing ourselves.”
Organized by Psychosocial Disabilities in Fiji in partnership with People with Disability Solomon Islands (PWDSI), the 4-day workshop marked a significant milestone in Solomon Islands history in regards to people with special needs in the country.
Three series of topics—psychosocial disability, old age, and access audit—will be covered during the four days of the workshop, which run from Tuesday to Friday.
The PWDSI Provincial Coordinator and caretaker of the psychosocial disability, Mr. William Same, gave his remarks on Tuesday, March 12, saying the workshop is a milestone and the first of its kind to take place in the country.
“This workshop is a milestone and the first of its kind in the country, and we are looking forward to greater things in the future.
“The training also aims to empower and enhance their skills of esteem, self-efficiency, decision-making abilities, and an overall sense of control over their lives, as well as their ability to advocate for themselves, navigate systems effectively, and leave more independently,” Mr. Same said.
He said the aim of this program is to conduct a two-day empowerment training program for at least 35 people with psychosocial disabilities in Honiara.
With this, the Pacific Disability Forum acknowledged the support of the following agencies: the Disabled Peoples Association of Solomon Islands, Psychiatric Survivors Fiji, a newly formed group of persons with psychosocial disability in the Solomon Islands, Sera Osborne, a disability and advocate for persons with psychosocial disabilities in Fiji and across the Pacific, and the Office 3 Manager for the Psychiatric Survivors Association of Fiji.
