Madang Province has marked National Disability Day, which falls on March 29, 2026, with a small but meaningful awareness event held at the Creative Self Help Centre in Madang town.
The commemoration brought together people living with disabilities, caregivers, students, and key stakeholders in a show of unity and support, highlighting the importance of inclusion and equal opportunities for all. The event served as a platform to raise awareness, break stigma, and promote understanding within the community.
Organized ahead of the official day, the event attracted partners including World Vision, Divine Word University’s Physiotherapy Department, Madang Teachers College, and other stakeholders, all coming together to support and advocate for people living with disabilities.
Creative Self Help Centre Inclusive Education Coordinator Robert Nugue welcomed the partners and acknowledged their continued support, describing their involvement as vital to the centre’s ongoing work.
“I thank all our partners who continue to support the Creative Self Help Centre, including business houses and stakeholders,” he said.
Mr Nugue also emphasized the importance of inclusion, urging the community not to forget people living with disabilities but to actively involve them in everyday activities and decision-making processes.
This year’s National Disability Day theme focuses on promoting inclusion and strengthening systems that enable equal rights and opportunities at all levels, reinforcing the need for collective responsibility in addressing challenges faced by people with disabilities.
Meanwhile, Interim Chairman of Madang Persons Living with Disabilities and Momase Regional Secretary of the PNG Assembly of Disabled Persons, Andrey Jacob Daniels, encouraged people living with disabilities to be confident and actively participate in society.
“People with disabilities should not feel that they cannot do things. They must come out and be included in all activities,” he said.
Mr Daniels also acknowledged caregivers, describing them as key contributors to the disability movement and essential in supporting individuals at home and in communities.
“We have the right to live as human beings with inherent dignity in society,” he added.
He further called on the national and provincial governments, as well as district leaders, to prioritize inclusive development and ensure people living with disabilities are supported at all levels through policies, services, and community programs.
The commemoration in Madang began at the Creative Self Help Centre and extended into Madang town, featuring awareness talks, item presentations by students from the centre, Divine Word University, and Madang Teachers College, as well as participation from the Madang Provincial Health Authority and World Vision.
The event highlighted the importance of inclusion, equality, and continued support for people living with disabilities, reinforcing the message that everyone has a role to play in building an inclusive society.
