Serasa, 28 June 2025 – Ocean Week Brunei continued its mission of inclusive environmental education with a special Community Marine Conservation Workshop for persons with different abilities, hosted at Poni Divers, Serasa. The event placed a spotlight on accessibility in ocean experiences, demonstrating that the passion to explore and protect the ocean transcends physical limitations.
Central to the programme was the re-introduction of the RAIDaptive diving system—a globally recognised framework by RAID (Rebreather Association of International Divers) designed to accommodate individuals with physical, sensory, and cognitive challenges in underwater activities. With support from James Costello, Director from Dive RAID Singapore, and as the first RAIDaptive Center in Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore, Poni Divers ran the workshop introducing participants to coral threats & solutions, adaptive scuba techniques, dive safety adaptations, and inclusive underwater communication methods. RAIDaptive ensures that with the right support, nearly anyone—regardless of disability—can safely experience the freedom and beauty of diving.
The highlight of the day was the participation of Haji Nor Alizulraineee bin Haji Ali Yusop, from the Dept of Special Education, Ministry of Education, who completed Brunei's first, a milestone, an Ocean Try Dive, under the RAIDaptive program. Blind since the age of 17, Nor Ali Yusop is a leading advocate in Brunei for overcoming barriers to achievement and success. In the process of the Try Dive session, Nor Ali assisted in the successful deployment of one Reef Ball which was dedicated to him, and planted 2 corals, another Brunei’s and the region’s first, in acknowledgement of his passion towards championing the differently-abled past the limits that society normally would put on them.
Also attending were three individuals from the deaf community, from the Majlis Kesejahteraan Orang Kelainan Upaya (MKOKU), Brunei Darussalam, who were guided through a snorkelling experience by trained professionals from Poni Divers. The dive team tailored their approach using visual aids and physical cues to ensure a safe, meaningful encounter with Brunei’s marine biodiversity.
The day began with a marine conservation workshop, where participants learned about coral ecosystems, marine species, and the human impact on the ocean. The session helped to contextualise the hands-on activities and foster a deeper appreciation of the need for inclusive participation in conservation efforts.
This workshop builds on Poni Divers' earlier outreach efforts this Ocean Week Brunei 2025, including marine programmes for youth communities, and reflects its broader commitment to environmental education for all. By integrating adaptive diving programmes such as RAIDaptive, Poni Divers hopes to lead by example in creating a more inclusive ocean community.
The involvement of the members of the differently abled community served as a powerful statement from Ocean Week Brunei that no one should be excluded from the wonders of the ocean. The sea belongs to everyone and initiatives that break down barriers ensure that more people can stand as stewards of its future.
This event and initiative is supported by Pusat Bahagia, JAPEM. Ocean Week Brunei & Poni Divers looks forward to launching an expanded disabled diving program and marine conservation workshop for individuals of all abilities throughout the year to engage all communities in Brunei for ocean conservation with support from Pusat Bahagia, JAPEM, and the Dept of Special Education, Ministry of Education.
Ocean Week Brunei is organized by Poni Divers with the support of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, and is an endorsed Ocean Decade Activity, and also in conjunction with Brunei MYCE.
Central to the programme was the re-introduction of the RAIDaptive diving system—a globally recognised framework by RAID (Rebreather Association of International Divers) designed to accommodate individuals with physical, sensory, and cognitive challenges in underwater activities. With support from James Costello, Director from Dive RAID Singapore, and as the first RAIDaptive Center in Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore, Poni Divers ran the workshop introducing participants to coral threats & solutions, adaptive scuba techniques, dive safety adaptations, and inclusive underwater communication methods. RAIDaptive ensures that with the right support, nearly anyone—regardless of disability—can safely experience the freedom and beauty of diving.
The highlight of the day was the participation of Haji Nor Alizulraineee bin Haji Ali Yusop, from the Dept of Special Education, Ministry of Education, who completed Brunei's first, a milestone, an Ocean Try Dive, under the RAIDaptive program. Blind since the age of 17, Nor Ali Yusop is a leading advocate in Brunei for overcoming barriers to achievement and success. In the process of the Try Dive session, Nor Ali assisted in the successful deployment of one Reef Ball which was dedicated to him, and planted 2 corals, another Brunei’s and the region’s first, in acknowledgement of his passion towards championing the differently-abled past the limits that society normally would put on them.
Also attending were three individuals from the deaf community, from the Majlis Kesejahteraan Orang Kelainan Upaya (MKOKU), Brunei Darussalam, who were guided through a snorkelling experience by trained professionals from Poni Divers. The dive team tailored their approach using visual aids and physical cues to ensure a safe, meaningful encounter with Brunei’s marine biodiversity.
The day began with a marine conservation workshop, where participants learned about coral ecosystems, marine species, and the human impact on the ocean. The session helped to contextualise the hands-on activities and foster a deeper appreciation of the need for inclusive participation in conservation efforts.
This workshop builds on Poni Divers' earlier outreach efforts this Ocean Week Brunei 2025, including marine programmes for youth communities, and reflects its broader commitment to environmental education for all. By integrating adaptive diving programmes such as RAIDaptive, Poni Divers hopes to lead by example in creating a more inclusive ocean community.
The involvement of the members of the differently abled community served as a powerful statement from Ocean Week Brunei that no one should be excluded from the wonders of the ocean. The sea belongs to everyone and initiatives that break down barriers ensure that more people can stand as stewards of its future.
This event and initiative is supported by Pusat Bahagia, JAPEM. Ocean Week Brunei & Poni Divers looks forward to launching an expanded disabled diving program and marine conservation workshop for individuals of all abilities throughout the year to engage all communities in Brunei for ocean conservation with support from Pusat Bahagia, JAPEM, and the Dept of Special Education, Ministry of Education.
Ocean Week Brunei is organized by Poni Divers with the support of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, and is an endorsed Ocean Decade Activity, and also in conjunction with Brunei MYCE.