History of Vietnam Day of persons with disabilities 18/04

The meaning of  Vietnam Day of Persons with Disabilities

Since 1998, April 18^th every year has been taken as Vietnam Day of Persons with Disabilities. The organizations, groups and individuals relating to people with disabilities have events and activities to celebrate the day. Many activities in Vietnam day of Persons with Disabilities are conducted such as cultural – sports exchange, conferences, workshops, advisory and job recruitment, life skills advisory, guide to health care and protection, free medical examinations... for people with disabilities.

The history of Vietnam Day of Persons with Disabilities
In July 30^th, 1998 the National Assembly Standing Committee promulgated the Ordinance No. 06/1998/PL-UBTVQH10 on Disabled. In Article 31, 18 of April every year is regulated as day of protection and care for persons with disabilities. Later, the National Law on Persons with Disabilities, Law No. 51/2010/QH12, in Article 11 officially recognized April 18^th as Vietnam Day of Persons with Disabilities

In addition, we can refer to a milestone relating to April 18^th as follows: In response to the call of the United Nations General Assembly in 1976 to take 1981 as the first International Year of Disabled Persons, it called for a plan of action at the national, regional and international levels, with a focus on equalization of opportunities, rehabilitation and prevention of disabilities. In April 18^th, 1980, Vietnamese government established the Vietnamese Committee for International Year of the Disabled People.

Since 2019, the Vietnam Federation on Disability (VFD) has officially announced the theme “Access for all” for Vietnam day of Persons with Disabilities (April 18^th, 2019).  Each year, VFD will proclaim a theme with different messages to raise public awareness of the rights and inclusion of Vietnamese people with disabilities.

Events in 2019 to celebrate Vietnam Day of Persons with Disabilities throughout the country:
In April 17^th, 2019, Vietnam Federation on Disability (VFD) in collaboration with the Action to the Community Development Center (ACDC), Disability Research and Capacity Development (DRD), Disabled People’s Organization of Hanoi organized an event to celebrate Vietnam Day of Persons with Disabilities on April 18^th with theme of “Access for all” in order to promote rights on access for people with disabilities.

Events:

1. On April 12^th, Disabled People’s Organization of Hanoi organized an event to celebrate Vietnam Day of Persons with Disabilities on April 18^th and art performance “Unlimited”.
2. On April 18^th, the Disabled People's Organizations of Nghe An, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai held events such as the Skill Competition for PWDs, talks, camping, marching for PWDs....
3. In April 20^th, 2019, on occasion of Vietnam Day of Persons with Disabilities (April 18^th), ACDC Center and the Association for Disabled Persons, Orange Agent Victims, Disability Support and Protection of the Children’s Rights co-organized an event with theme "No distance, no limit", in order to raise public awareness of people with disabilities and disabillity issues; create opportunities and empower persons with disabilities; remove barriers, social inclusion of persons with disabilities.

Translator: Ha Tien Dat