On September 28, 1984, the Fijian government designated a house on Domain Road in Suva to serve as a residence for four girls living with disabilities. Janet Braithwaite, an executive from the Australian Council for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (ACROD), emphasized the importance of providing disabled individuals with proper homes instead of confining them to institutions.
Following Braithwaite’s visit to Fiji in 1983, the Fiji Times reported that the four girls were now enjoying comfortable living conditions in the government-supplied house. They were engaged in work and earning their own salaries to cover food and bills, with ACROD supplementing their income with an additional $50 weekly.
Monthly records of their expenses were submitted to ACROD’s headquarters in Canberra. The government provided the house rent-free, and accommodations were modified to meet the specific needs of the girls. Among them were two polio survivors, a girl who was paraplegic, and a deaf girl.
Braithwaite noted that the facility was intended for small groups to prevent institutionalization, stating, “The whole objective is to train these older girls to live in a proper home on their own.” She expressed hope that they could eventually live independently, even opting to rent their own apartments if they desired.
During her visit, Braithwaite recognized a gender bias in government-funded initiatives and observed a significant need for suitable housing for older girls with disabilities. Collaborating with the National Council for Women and the Fijian government, accommodation was secured.
Reflecting on the project’s progress, Braithwaite expressed satisfaction at seeing the girls living independently and happily. Edith Paul, who accompanied Braithwaite, explained that ACROD, established in 1962, provides disability services across Australia, East Asia, and the Pacific. The organization, which has 300 affiliated associations and receives over $240,000 annually from the Australian government, also focuses on training educators and supporting disability services in Fiji.