4.2 Profile of Non-governmental Organizations of/ for Persons with Disabilities

Situated in the capital city of Apia, Aoga Fiamalamalama has been in existence since 1979, providing services for the intellectually disabled persons. The school provides academic skills, life skills and social skills so that the student can be as independent as possible. Children of various age groups and disabilities (mostly learning disabled) attend this school. The education program includes activities of daily living, self-care and socialization. Teaching is oriented towards skills acquisition rather than academic learning. A limited amount of integration work and home-based activities are also being conducted.

Loto Taumafai was founded in 1981 by the Loto Taumafai Society for the Disabled, Inc. It focuses on education and support for children and adults who are deaf or hearing impaired and/or have physical disabilities. The centre also runs a daycare center for children with disabilities. The center has also introduced a program of early detection and intervention in childhood disability running parallel to its other activities. It has fostered a business wing of carvers, a theatre group of deaf youth and participation of disabled persons in sporting events.

This non-profit organization was established in 1993 amid growing concerns regarding incidences of sexual abuse and domestic violence in Samoa. MOA undertakes projects, trains counselors, promotes the improvement of relevant legislation, promotes human rights, and works to serve all families. Mapusaga O Aiga conducts programs year round with the education and awareness of women and children as its main objective. MOA's first project included a research study on domestic violence against women in Samoa in 1996. MOA is now in the process of completing a study on the Response of Police and Justice to domestic violence and sexual abuse. Provision of training of community paralegal and the promotion of legal literacy stem from the need to raise people's awareness in a culturally sensitive manner. MOA has concentrated on Basic Counseling skills, Gender training of personnel of the Government through workshops, including the Police force, Youth groups and NGO leaders.

There is an ongoing program in both islands for women, men and children about human rights, sexual offences against women and children and the promotion of CEDAW and CRC. School awareness programs covered 10 Colleges, 2 pre schools and 2 schools for disabled children for Upolu and 6 colleges/High Schools, Primary Schools and 1 Preschool in Savaii. Since 1999, MOA has carried out education and awareness covering more than 20 villages in Savaii and 30 in Upolu. MOA has an ongoing community awareness program throughout Upolu and Savaii as well as school programs.

NOLA was formed in 2001 to enable disabled persons to unite, identify and work with the needs of other disabled persons. Together in Inclusion International Asia Pacific Region, Nola provided a detailed survey on persons 15 and above with disabilities. For this project the two organizations worked hand in hand with the Department of Education, the Statistics Department, the Ministry of Youth Sport and Culture, the Health Department (Ophthalmology, Mental Health, Prosthesis and Orthodontics, Community Health Nurses), WHO, the Loto Taumafai Special Needs School, the Fiamalamalama Special Needs School, SUNGO, the Ministry of Women's Affairs, the Accident Compensation Board, Samoa Polytechnic, the National University of Samoa, and the UNDP.

PREB provides education, training and support for people with visual impairments, as well as their families. PREB has supported up to 275 children and adults who are blind or have visual impairments over the past 9 years.