“Mobility Is A Right”

The Williams & Gosling 2007 Cadets chose to provide the physically impaired citizens of Fiji, specifically those confined to mobility through the help of wheel chairs the right to be mobile by providing a wheelchair accessible van (Para-transit) as our team project.

The Fiji Disabled People Association has provided us with their statistics and case summary of physically impaired citizen in Fiji. Spread across our beautiful islands there are 3805 patients consisting of Spinal Injury, Stroke and physical cases.

After intensive research and an inspired talk by Mr. Frederick Miller, we aim to fully fund this project in terms of fundraising and continue with the help of the Cadet Management Alumni.

Only people in wheelchairs and their caregivers for medical appointments, recreational, outings, socializing and other activities will use this Para-Transit as the committee see fit with no charged intended. Those that can afford, we welcome a donation which will be receipted.

We have learnt that the Fiji Red Cross and St. Johns organizations do provide the same services but with a charge that is not affordable hence limiting the physical impaired persons to move around freely.

Some have not left the confines of their homes or compounds because families cannot afford to pay the hire charge of Para-Transits. This is one of the main contributions to persons with disabilities in Fiji often being excluded from the mainstream of society and denied their human right to go places and have opportunities as a normal person would.

We have prepared a detailed costing as well as fundraising plans for your perusal and trust that all the information provided will be to your satisfactory.

Objectives

1. To provide a para transit vehicle that will enhance the life of those members of our community confined in doors.
2. To promote equal opportunity for people living with physical impairment, especially those confined to wheelchairs.

People with disabilities in Fiji are amongst the neglected and most marginalised members of their communities. This limits them access to education, employment and other basic social services and as a result, leads to economic and social exclusion.

A rights-based approach must be used to ensure that the needs of Fiji Islanders especially those that are confined to wheelchairs are recognised and understood. Basically this means that people living with disability should be able to move around freely whenever they want and wherever they want. It is to be seen in the context of a basic human right…the right to mobility.

It is with this intent, that we present the above objectives as crucial and vital for the success of this project.

Conclusion

Life is a gift intended by the Giver to be enjoyed!! How and When we choose to enjoy it varies from people to people.

Unfortunately there are members of our community who do not share these same sentiments as the rest of us. Their freedom of movement is restricted due to the disabilities they are born with or have tragically acquired in their lifetime.

Whilst no one can guarantee these individuals complete mobility in life, we can overcome some of the barriers by providing a simple yet much needed service. Besides improving their quality of life, it also portrays Williams & Gosling Ltd as a true corporate citizen in terms of promoting the rights of the individual, setting us apart from others in the service industry.

The 2007 Management Cadets are sincere in their efforts in providing this special service to the people of Fiji. We see this project as feasible and attainable and will put in our best to see this through.

With the support of the management and staff of Williams & Gosling, not forgetting the community at large, Project Mobility will and must become a reality for the people of our beautiful country especially those who are confined to wheel chairs.