A conference to discuss the implementation of a project to assist people with disabilities in the 2012-2020 phase was held in Hanoi on December 11.

The event was jointly held by the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS).

The project, approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 1019/QD-TTg on August 5, aims to create favourable conditions for people with disabilities to participate equally in socio-economic activities, contributing to community and society construction.

It has been divided into two phases; 2012-2015 and 2016-2020. The project’s major activities include providing equipment to assist people with disabilities and improving their access to education, vocational training, job creation and information technology and communications.

According to Nguyen Trong Dam, the Ministry’s Deputy Minister, the law to help people with disabilities was promulgated two years ago but progress has been slow. He suggested localities design plans to carry out the project in the first quarter of 2013.-VNA