Program fosters integration of disabled people

THE Duavata Integration Sports Program is currently in progress, according to Fiji Paralympics Committee member Saimoni Nainoca. Mr Nainoca said yesterday the program fostered the integration of disabled people into mainstream sports.

"We are using the social model 'Disability is not caused by people with disabilities, instead it is caused by systematic barriers, negative attitude, stigma and the lack of the society to understand the needs or abilities of people with disabilities," he said.

Mr Nainoca said the program was introduced to encourage behaviour change and to open doors and lift barriers in mainstream sports. "It's been a long time now since we've been playing on our own and segregated from mainstream sports, the program gives disabled people a sense of belonging to society," he said.

The committee member confirmed that three special schools were currently playing in the Suva Primary Schools Basketball competition.

Mr Nainoca also confirmed that the committee had gained approval integrating disabled people into the Chow Games, the Powerade Games, Deans Rugby Competition, Volleyball Federation games and the touch rugby competition.

Picture: Jale Cagica of Suva Special School, left, shields the ball from a Fiji Vocational School player at the Vodafone Arena in Suva yesterday.

Source: The Fiji Times Newspaper
Saturday 26th March 2011


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