Dili, July 3, 2026 (Media Democracia) – Ra’es Hadomi Timor Oan (RHTO) organized a workshop to strengthen advocacy by organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) for the implementation of the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan Post-2025. This activity is part of a regional initiative by the ASEAN Disability Forum (ADF), implemented together with the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), to increase inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in development and policy formulation processes in ASEAN Member States.
According to RHTO Director Joaozito Dos Santos, today’s workshop focuses on the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan for 2025 across all of ASEAN.
“Our workshop on the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan, the intergovernmental framework for persons with disabilities, is very important for us to share experiences on how ASEAN can establish and guarantee accessibility laws for persons with disabilities.” RHTO Director Joaozito Dos Santos told journalists at Hotel Novu Turismu, Dili, Thursday (02/07).
He said ASEAN is currently in the process of developing the ASEAN Masterplan.
“I feel the ASEAN Masterplan is very important and gives us an opportunity to express and provide recommendations on how ASEAN can create laws to guarantee accessibility and opportunities for persons with disabilities.” he affirmed.
ASEAN is now carrying out the process for the ASEAN Masterplan to enhance Timor-Leste’s contribution. RHTO, as an Organization of Persons with Disabilities in Timor-Leste, along with other organizations, works to ensure that no one is left behind.
“Inclusion cannot just be an idea, but inclusion must become reality in policies and implementation programs for all leaders to strengthen our relationships with fellow persons with disabilities in TL, to build a strong nation among ASEAN leaders regarding the rights of persons with disabilities.” he reaffirmed.
Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN must be inclusive in reality because everyone’s contribution is important, especially for persons with disabilities.
Separately, Director of the Timor-Leste Disability Association (ADTL), Cesario da Silva, said the contribution of persons with disabilities to national development is important for Timor-Leste’s successful accession to ASEAN.
“From Accession to Integration, Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN means we are at the level of the ASEAN Peoples’ Forum and the ASEAN Disability Forum. These are organizations and groups of persons with disabilities that can contribute ideas related to inclusive development.” said ADTL Director Cesario da Silva.
RHTO and ADTL have an important role in Timor-Leste because Timor-Leste has already become an ASEAN Observer. Therefore, RHTO and ADTL must have in-depth discussions on the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan because this is key to Timor-Leste’s successful development.
“Timor-Leste must have serious political action. For me, TL’s policy for persons with disabilities is very good because it has a very strong foundation in the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities in TL. So all Organizations of Persons with Disabilities should think together and provide much critique to contribute to our national development.” he emphasized.
Disability issues are a crucial issue for all sDili, July 3, 2026 (Media Democracia) – Ra’es Hadomi Timor Oan (RHTO) organized a workshop to strengthen advocacy by organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) for the implementation of the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan Post-2025. This activity is part of a regional initiative by the ASEAN Disability Forum (ADF), implemented together with the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), to increase inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in development and policy formulation processes in ASEAN Member States.
According to RHTO Director Joaozito Dos Santos, today’s workshop focuses on the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan for 2025 across all of ASEAN.
“Our workshop on the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan, the intergovernmental framework for persons with disabilities, is very important for us to share experiences on how ASEAN can establish and guarantee accessibility laws for persons with disabilities.” RHTO Director Joaozito Dos Santos told journalists at Hotel Novu Turismu, Dili, Thursday (02/07).
He said ASEAN is currently in the process of developing the ASEAN Masterplan.
“I feel the ASEAN Masterplan is very important and gives us an opportunity to express and provide recommendations on how ASEAN can create laws to guarantee accessibility and opportunities for persons with disabilities.” he affirmed.
ASEAN is now carrying out the process for the ASEAN Masterplan to enhance Timor-Leste’s contribution. RHTO, as an Organization of Persons with Disabilities in Timor-Leste, along with other organizations, works to ensure that no one is left behind.
“Inclusion cannot just be an idea, but inclusion must become reality in policies and implementation programs for all leaders to strengthen our relationships with fellow persons with disabilities in TL, to build a strong nation among ASEAN leaders regarding the rights of persons with disabilities.” he reaffirmed.
Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN must be inclusive in reality because everyone’s contribution is important, especially for persons with disabilities.
Separately, Director of the Timor-Leste Disability Association (ADTL), Cesario da Silva, said the contribution of persons with disabilities to national development is important for Timor-Leste’s successful accession to ASEAN.
“From Accession to Integration, Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN means we are at the level of the ASEAN Peoples’ Forum and the ASEAN Disability Forum. These are organizations and groups of persons with disabilities that can contribute ideas related to inclusive development.” said ADTL Director Cesario da Silva.
RHTO and ADTL have an important role in Timor-Leste because Timor-Leste has already become an ASEAN Observer. Therefore, RHTO and ADTL must have in-depth discussions on the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan because this is key to Timor-Leste’s successful development.
“Timor-Leste must have serious political action. For me, TL’s policy for persons with disabilities is very good because it has a very strong foundation in the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities in TL. So all Organizations of Persons with Disabilities should think together and provide much critique to contribute to our national development.” he emphasized.
Disability issues are a crucial issue for all sectors, covering the three ASEAN pillars: Political and Security, Economic, and Socio-Cultural.
Separately, National Director of the Secretariat for Equality (SI), Maria Fillomena Babo Martins, said that disability issues also contribute to the Socio-Cultural pillar and to economic policy because ASEAN is a cultural community.
“Right now we are about to join ASEAN. Consultations on our plan to contribute, especially on issues of persons with disabilities and vulnerable people, are very important.” said National Director Maria Fillomena.
The question is how the Timor-Leste Disability Association’s plans for the Masterplan for persons with disabilities can bring benefits when Timor-Leste joins ASEAN.
Report by: Tomás dos Santos
Photo: Tomás dos Santos
ectors, covering the three ASEAN pillars: Political and Security, Economic, and Socio-Cultural.
Separately, National Director of the Secretariat for Equality (SI), Maria Fillomena Babo Martins, said that disability issues also contribute to the Socio-Cultural pillar and to economic policy because ASEAN is a cultural community.
“Right now we are about to join ASEAN. Consultations on our plan to contribute, especially on issues of persons with disabilities and vulnerable people, are very important.” said National Director Maria Fillomena.
The question is how the Timor-Leste Disability Association’s plans for the Masterplan for persons with disabilities can bring benefits when Timor-Leste joins ASEAN.
Report by: Tomás dos Santos
Photo: Tomás dos Santos