Activities mark int’l day for people with disabilities

The Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Welfare and the Vietnam Federation for Disabled People jointly held a meeting in Hanoi on December 2 to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities annually on December 3.
The Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Welfare and the Vietnam Federation for Disabled People jointly held a meeting in Hanoi on December 2 to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities annually on December 3.

According to Deputy Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Welfare Nguyen Trong Dam, Vietnam is home to 6 million people with disabilities, accounting for 6.3 percent of the country’s population.

In recent years, the Party and State have paid particular attention to the group of people, ensuring their rights and development opportunities as well as issuing many documents and policies to improve their lives, he said.

The Deputy Minister added that to improve policies supporting people with disabilities, many projects have been fast-tracked, which demonstrated Vietnam’s commitment to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

According to Dam, the Prime Minister approved a plan to support people with disabilities from 2012 to 2020 in August to realise the Incheon Strategy to promote the rights of people with disabilities.

Doan Van Son, who lives with disabilities in Hanoi , said since the Law on People with Disabilities took effect, it has made changes to the life of people with disabilities, helping their desire to live.

Nguyen Thi Thu Van, Chairwoman of Hanoi’s Association for Disabled People, noted that the law gives disabled people a greater chance to integrate into society. She expressed her hope that organisations and agencies will make every effort to quickly translate the law into reality.

At the event, products made by people with disabilities were displayed and job opportunities were also introduced to create chances for people with disabilities to contribute to society.

In Ho Chi Minh City, a festive day for people with disabilities was held on December 1. The event, the 13 th of its kind and the largest, drew 6,000 participants from 14 southern cities and provinces.

Nearly 2,000 volunteers and staff were mobilised to support people with disabilities, bringing a day of happiness to them./.

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