Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or
sensory impairments, which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and
effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.5 Disability may be experienced
by people of any age – children, young and older people.

Everyone is entitled to the same rights and freedoms, regardless of their disability status. This is
a fundamental principle of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities (CRPD), which Vanuatu ratified in 2008. However, persons with disabilities often
lack equitable access to the same opportunities enjoyed by their peers without disabilities.
Barriers such as negative attitudes and stigma, an inaccessible built environment, and
exclusionary policies can restrict persons with disabilities from enjoying their rights to
education, health care, employment and other opportunities.

Disability inclusive development is both a process and an outcome. The purpose of disability
inclusive development is to realize an inclusive society that values diversity and engages persons
with disabilities as participating members of society with equal rights. The disability inclusive
development approach brings the disability perspective into all elements of national and
community development. It assesses and strengthens institutions, policies and programs so that
they better take into account, and positively impact on, the lives of persons with disabilities.

The process of disability inclusive development meaningfully and effectively engages persons
with disabilities in development processes to challenge and address inequities. Persons with
disabilities are not a homogeneous group. Disability inclusive development initiatives must
consider the various perspectives and experiences of older people, men, women, girls, boys,
youth and children with a range of different impairments, and diverse experiences of disability.
Disability inclusive development is often implemented according to the twin track approach,
which requires action along two vectors: mainstreaming across legislation, policies, programs
and activities at all levels, and implementing targeted efforts that improve access to the particular
accommodations and services required specifically by persons with disabilities.

In Vanuatu, many gains have been made under the auspices of the National Disability Policy
2008 – 2015. These include the establishment of a Disability Desk within the Ministry of Justice
and Community Services (MJCS) as the Government of Vanuatu’s disability coordination
agency, the development of the Inclusive Education Policy and Strategic Plan 2010 – 2020 and
the National Disability Inclusion Policy for the Technical and Vocational Education and
Training (TVET) Sector 2016 – 2020. Vanuatu’s National Sustainable Development Plan
(NSDP), known as Vanuatu 2030: The Peoples Plan, formalises a national commitment to
disability inclusion and rights through multiple disability inclusive objectives and indicators.