A call has been made to all government ministries to step up their services to the members of the disabled community. 

The lack of services provided and offered remains a challenge. These challenges included accessibility to wheelchairs, ramps, special keyboards, rails and equal opportunities to education and employment.

General Manager of Nuanua O Le Alofa (NOLA) Faatino Utumapu said it should not be the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development alone who are involved.

"It should be the responsibility of all the government ministries,” she said.

The Ministry of Women is a focal point for disability; they have programs that include people with disabilities. They also looked after the disability allowance scheme since its establishment in 2021. The disability allowance scheme has been in service for persons with disabilities. Under the Scheme, people with disabilities who are registered with the ministry receive $100.

“Well, it's a step in the right direction,” Utumapu said.

 Earlier this week, a training on the inclusion of the rights of disabilities was held at the Tanoa Tusitala conference room.  The participants included different government ministers and NGOs, disability organisations and persons with disabilities. The training lasted five days, intending to enhance the knowledge and understanding of government ministries.

 “The participants of the training have been learning, even though we know that we are facing inadequate resources, but we hope that through the linkages of the work we've done, with the ministry representatives on the CRBD and reality, we hope they will be able to influence what's being done at the ministry level and what's being done at the Civil Society Organisation level," Utumapu. 

"Because the training just happened, I think it would be unfair to say that they are promising to do this and this and this because they will need time to take in the learning and they will need time to influence, taking into account that they are already under-resourced.” 

Despite many challenges, NOLA is still getting recognition for their work in terms of its advocacy and hopes to be included in all decisions that is made by the different ministries. 

They have previously worked with the Ministry of Health.

“I think overall, the services available for persons with disabilities  have been improving,” Utumapu said.

Moving forward, NOLA aims to improve access to services that are not currently available for persons with disabilities and improve areas of some of the services that are already there for persons with disabilities. For instance, inclusive education. Ensuring that there are enough teacher aids to support students in school.

 The organization is currently with the Ministry of Women for further support with reference to the social protection programme services.