The Network
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May 2007 Issue 11 |
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- The Need for Disability Advocacy in Papua New Guinea
- The Network – History
- The Network – Current situation
- Who is involved in the production?
- What are the future plans?
- Finance
- Submission Guidelines
- Contact details
The Need for Disability Advocacy in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (PNG) has an estimated population of 5.5 million people. Official statistics for the number of disabled people are largely unknown, although the World Health Organisation estimates that it is 10% of the total population.
The DPI-PNG (National Assembly of Disabled Persons) estimates in PNG there are approximately 600,000 people who are living with some form of disability. Of this group about 2% or about 12,000 people are cared for and attend care centres, special education schools, sheltered workshops and Callan Service agencies. Which means that the bulk of people with disabilities i.e. the remaining 98%, or 558,000 people, are not receiving any support.
It is stated that 85% of the total population of PNG lives in the rural areas. These people live in scattered villages and hamlets, often in inaccessible terrain. Poor communication infrastructure, road networks and transport make access to social services like health and rehabilitation, mobility equipment, employment and education extremely difficult and limited.
There is a distinct lack of knowledge and resources for managing disabilities in some communities, and the cultural and traditional perspectives have a great influence over the lives of people with disabilities. Many people are unable to join community life, go to school or work; often they are not able or not allowed to leave their home.
The status of people with disabilities within PNG is considered to be extremely low and the voice of disabled people is rarely heard. Key underlying causes are the attitudes and structures that exist in PNG that not only negatively affect the health and social well-being of people with disabilities, but limit their opportunities and participation in society. Existing power structures do little to foster the participation, or challenge views that result in the stigmatisation and exclusion of people with disabilities in society.
Lack of knowledge increases the already prevalent negative cultural stigma attached to disabled people in PNG communities. Improved awareness increases the likelihood for a disabled person to actively participate in community life and to develop and demonstrate individual capabilities.
The Network – History
In 2003 Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) volunteers working within the disability sector raised the need to establish a disability awareness and information exchange tool, by means of a magazine. A VSO volunteer working in the Department of Physiotherapy at the Divine Word University (DWU) took on the responsibility of publishing the magazine. With great support of the DWU and Friends of Disabled Association (FODA), the first edition of The Network was published in April 2004. It was sent to around 50 people and organisations mainly working within the disability sector in PNG. The Network expanded rapidly and soon became the national disability magazine of Papua New Guinea.
The Network – Current situation
The magazine is currently free of charge and is published four times per year.
The Network is a tool to empower and inspire disabled people and their families through positive real life stories about other disabled people. The Network shares information from different levels, from grass root to Government level. It inspires organisations working in the disability sector by sharing its vision and achievements. It spreads accurate and positive information about disability in PNG, as well as personal life stories, awareness articles and tips.
The Network focuses each edition on a theme from the ‘Biwako Millennium Framework (BMF) for action towards an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society for disabled people’. The BMF was prepared by UNESCAP during the Decade for Disabled Persons from 2003 to 2012 as a specific Disability supplement to the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals.
The Network currently has over 400 recipients within PNG as well overseas in Europe, Asia, Pacific and Africa. It is estimated that the actual readership is 1200 per edition. The level of knowledge and experience of disability issues varies considerably among our readers. Many readers are disabled people, their families or are involved in the disability sector. Others work for NGOs, Government departments, education and health institutions, media, church groups and business houses.
Since its establishment The Network has been experiencing tremendous growth. Not only has a wide international readership been established, but the quality of the layout and content improves with each edition.
The Network has received a lot of positive feedback and support from a variety of people, from disabled persons to politicians. Because of the success and the ongoing support from key stakeholders, The Network now has the potential to become part of a much larger advocacy and resource tool.
Who is involved in the production?
The Network team is located in Madang. DWU currently provides the office space, technical input and supervision for The Network. The Project Coordinator coordinates the complete process and is currently the driving force of the magazine.
Staff at Creative Self Help Centre are involved in the logistics and mailing of the magazine. Rosela and Elizah, the two persons with hearing impairment at Creative Self Help Centre, are learning to type out the written articles sent to us.
The aim of the magazine is to include articles from all over the country. Therefore a ‘promoters network team’ is been established. The Network’ Project Co-ordinator informs the promoter reguarly of the kind of material that is wanted for the coming edition and which material is already submitted. The promoter looks for inspiring stories and relevant information and encourages other organisations and persons in their region to submit editorial material for publication.
Currently the promoter’s team consist of 12 members, who are spread out over 10 Provinces in PNG.
What are the future plans?
In the future The Network may spawn a new institution called the National Disability Resource and Advocacy Centre, which will extend the advocacy work of The Network into numerous sections of society and will become a point of referral for anyone wanting information on disability in PNG.
Finance
As the magazine is free of charge, it is relies on donations. The Network wishes to see that people and organisations who are able to make a contribution to the magazine, do so. If you believe The Network contributes to raise awareness and educates a wide public audience with accurate and empowering information from the disability sector, if you want to be certain of its long-term existence and if you hope to see disability awareness activities grow more – please donate! The Network is very grateful for and will acknowledge any donation.
Submission Guidelines
Following is advice and guidelines to help you write good articles for The Network
Different Types of Articles
Firstly remember; any person can submit any material in Tok Pisin or in English at any time. The following categories of articles are desirable for publication in The Network:
- Experiences of and views on disability, especially on certain themes such as: Women with Disabilities, Disability and Employment, Accessibility, Education etc.
- Hello, we are… (Background information from organisations)
- Personal Profile (set of six questions answered in each edition by an inspiring person with disability)
- Practical tips that can make life for a person with a disability easier e.g. how to build rehabilitation material
- Projects that empower people with a disability, e.g. income generating projects
- Artwork (Primarily, we intend to display the work of disabled artists who perceive the disability experience as one of the influences on their art)
- Images, Pictures, Illustrations, Puzzles or Cartoons etc.
- Recommendations of disability-related newsletters, books, web sites, films, journals, etc.
- Agenda (Events & special dates: short descriptions of coming events)
- Announcements (opportunities for readers to contribute to research, publications, conferences, events etc.)
Note: No compensation is paid to any person who contributes any material for publication.
When you send originals, which you would like to have returned, please mention this in the letter and give your return address.
Tips on Writing the Article
- Readers may not have the level of knowledge that you have. Only use jargon, complicated words and abbreviations when absolutely necessary and after explaining what they mean.
- Think of including relevant facts and statistics, if available.
- Keep your goal in mind: what do you what to say and to whom?
- Read your article through and ask yourself. “If I randomly picked someone from the target audience would they understand easily what my article is about?” If yes, well done. If not, re-write it.
- Writing is also about editing, or deleting. Don’t make your article too long The Network has limited space.
- Pictures or graphics make a difference to any article! It will certainly make an article more attractive and enjoyable to read.
- Give your contact details (name, position, address, phone, fax number and/or email address).
Article Lengths
Different types of article will have different lengths. Because of the limited space in each edition the preferred article length is between 500-700 words. However, this is a guideline, we do not count words.
The Production and Deadline Dates
The Network currently has four (4) editions per year, once every quarter. The months for production are February, May, August and November. The deadline for all material is halfway through the month before the publication is due.
The Criteria for Editorial Material
The editor will try to publish all received material. However there is limited space available in each edition. Therefore it is the editor’s role to select articles/pictures received for publication.
Please know the editor has the right of refusal and to edit stories for space and clarity reasons. The editor might also decide to keep material for future editions.
The actual publication of any material in The Network depends on:
1. The message of the article. It should be educational,entertaining,advocating,empowering and/or inspiring.
2. Other material submitted and if previously similar information has been published.
3. The editor requires gender equality in articles published, and tries to cover stories from all over PNG.
Finished?
- Please keep the deadline of the edition in mind. Your material must arrive at least two weeks before production. If you can send it earlier, please do so. There is time needed to produce the magazine.
- Give your contact details (name, phone-, fax number and/or email address).
- The author’s signature, and if relevant the signature of main person interviewed in the article, needs to be provided for approval for publication for non-profit use.
- Send your material to us.
- The editor retains the right to edit your article before it is published in the magazine for space and/or clarity reasons.
Contact details
Should you wish to receive more information on The Network, and/or when you like to make a donation please contact:
The Network – Project Co-ordinator
Divine Word University
PO Box 483, Madang, Papua New Guinea
Phone: (675) 852 2937 · Fax: (675) 852 2812
Email: thenetwork@dwu.ac.pg
