Pacific Disability Statistics Regional Guidebook Design Workshop

​Representatives from national statistics offices (NSOs), the Pacific Community (SPC), the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), UNICEF and Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) formed the PGDS five years ago under the umbrella of the Washington Group on Disability Statistics to ensure that the Pacific produces disability statistics aligned to international recommendations. The PGDS is now leading an enhanced multi-year project to strengthen Pacific disability statistics, thanks to the support of the Government of Australia. This project enables the PGDS and SPC to provide technical support to Pacific Island countries in the production and use of reliable, valid, and comparable disability statistics through facilitation, cooperation, engagement, and capacity building, including South-South / peer-to-peer collaboration.

The PGDS project, with assistance, is producing guidance for Pacific Small Island States. A regional guidebook on improving disability data collection, analysis, dissemination and use is being developed. SPC through the PGDS project has recruited a qualified team from the University of Melbourne's Nossal Institute to deliver the work.

OBJECTIVES

• Consult stakeholders on the design and development of the Pacific disability statistics regional guidebook
• Improve understanding of disability indicators: definition and purpose
• Discuss how to strengthen disability statistics at national and regional level, including their use in monitoring progress
• Inform countries and partners on PGDS project's development on disability statistics for the Pacific countries
• Explore priorities and support available for Pacific Island countries and territories