Children with disabilities have the right to be heard, but many continue to be left out of decisions that affect their lives.
The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission says its baseline study found that children with disabilities are often not consulted or given meaningful opportunities to express their views on policies and programmes affecting them.
The Commission says communication barriers and a lack of reasonable accommodations further prevent children with disabilities from making their voices heard.
It stresses that children with disabilities must not simply be spoken for, but must be given opportunities to express their own views.
The Commission says their opinions matter at home, in schools, communities and national decision-making processes.
It says inclusion is not only about providing services, but also about ensuring every child has a voice and an opportunity to participate.
The Commission adds that every child has the right to be heard and every voice matters.
