He made the statement at a November 30 meeting held in response to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The deputy minister said the Law on Persons with Disabilities, whichtook effect on January 1, 2011, is an important milestone developingequality for disabled people.
However, the rate ofdisabled people living in poverty remains high, he noted, saying hisministry is coordinating with relevant agencies to boost socialawareness about ensuring rights for handicapped people.
He also expressed gratitude to domestic sectors and internationalorganisations for helping people with disabilities integrate into thecommunity.
Since 1989, the US government has spentmore than 60 million USD sponsoring Vietnam’s programmes on improvingthe living standards of disabled people, said Randy Flay, ActingDirector of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) inVietnam.
During the campaign marking theinternational day, many practical activities are being held to helpdisabled people raise their confidence and overcome hardship,including exhibitions, cultural exchanges and sport games.-VNA