Enhancing the participation of persons with disabilities toward inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability in the Covid-19 pandemic

On the morning of December 3, 2021, nearly 200 delegates participated in a virtual workshop “Enhancing the participation of persons with disabilities toward inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability in the Covid-19 pandemic” via online and livestream platforms of ACDC and UNDP fanpages. The workshop was jointly organized by the Vietnam Federation on Disability (VFD), Action to the Community Development (ACDC), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the sponsorship of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and CBM Vietnam.

The workshop was attended by important representatives including Mrs. Ann Marie Yastishock – Director of the United States Agency For International Development (USAID) in Vietnam, Mrs. Ritu Tariyal - Director of USAID’s Reconciliation and Inclusive Development Department, Mrs. Caitlin Wiesen - Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program in Vietnam (UNDP), Mrs. Vu Thi Tuyet Mai - Chief Representative of CBM Vietnam; People’s Teacher – Ph.D. Dang Huynh Mai – Chairman and Mr. Dang Van Thanh - Permanent Vice Chairman of Vietnam Federation on Disability, Ph.D. Tran Duc Hung - Deputy General Manager of the National Action Centre for Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Treatment (NACCET) – Ministry of Defence, Mrs. Dinh Thi Thuy - Deputy Chief of the National Committee for Persons with Disabilities Office, Mr. Pham Hoai Chung – Deputy Director of the Transport Development and Strategy Institute (TDSI) - Ministry of Transport, Mr. Tran Ngoc Nghi - Head of Rehabilitation and Assessment Department, Medical Services Administration - Ministry of Health, and other leaders and officers of NACCET, Ministry of Defence, Departments of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs; Departments of Health; Departments of Transport in Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam; and representatives of organizations of and for persons with disabilities in 63 provinces and cities nationwide.

People’s Teacher – Ph.D. Dang Huynh Mai – Chairman of Vietnam Federation on Disability gave a speech on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Making an opening speech at the workshop, People’s Teacher – Ph.D. Dang Huynh Mai – Chairman of VFD said: “There are about 8 billion people in the world, of which roughly 1.1 billion are persons with disabilities, accounting for around 15% of the population. It can be seen that approximately 80% of persons with disabilities are living in developing countries. On the occasion of IDPD, the United Nations Committee announced the theme: "Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities towards an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-Covid-19 world". To celebrate this event with the whole world, today we organize this workshop to encourage full and equal participation as well as action for inclusion and development of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society”. She also thanked organizations and units that accompanied the VFD to hold this program.

Representatives of UNDP, USAID, CBM and NACCET also gave welcome speeches at the event. They emphasized the rights as well as the roles, participation and initiative of persons with disabilities. In addition, it is the companionship, concern, fairness, and promotion of the policies and laws implementation, etc., for persons with disabilities by government, departments, organizations, individuals, and social communities, especially in the context of the Covid-19 and post-pandemic. Mrs. Ann Marie Yastishock – Director of the USAID in Vietnam mentioned in her speech: “Supporting the rights of persons with disabilities and local disabled persons organizations are among our top priorities. Our newest programs put inclusivity at the forefront. “Raising Voices, Creating Opportunities II”, “Hold My Hand II” and “Inclusion”, create opportunities for broader access and the full participation of persons with disabilities in rehabilitation and social services, as well as the implementation of disability policies on the ground”.

Representatives of organizations of and for persons with disabilities send the message “For an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world”

Especially, there was a congratulatory video with the appearance of organizations of and for persons with disabilities with the message “For an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world” as a special gift for the persons with disabilities in Vietnam on this meaningful day.

At the workshop, stakeholders together discussed challenges and solutions towards disability inclusion in the context of adaptation during and after the pandemic. Three presentations with the topics: “IT application in rehabilitation for persons with disabilities” by the Humanity Inclusion Vietnam, “Strengthening family participation in-home intervention for children with disabilities in the context of adapting to the COVID pandemic” by ACDC, and “Accessible transportation for persons with disabilities: Current situation and solutions” by the Transport Development and Strategy Institute - Ministry of Transport attracted the attention of many delegates. Questions, problems and experiences were shared and received many positive responses.

Also at the event, in response to the theme of this year's IDPD, the Organizing Committee launched a contest: “Disability inclusion and covid-19 adaptation” to find initiatives, ideas, and creative projects with solutions that focus on education, health, and accessible transport to promote inclusion and effective, equitable participation of persons with disabilities in the community. This contest will start accepting entries from December 20, 2021, and the award ceremony will take place on the occasion of the Vietnamese Day of Persons with Disabilities on April 18, 2022.

The Organizing Committee launched the initiative contest: “Disability inclusion and covid-19 adaptation” with 03 main areas including education, health and accessible transport

Closing the event, Mr. Dang Van Thanh – Permanent Vice Chairman of the VFD summarized the main contents of the workshop and re-emphasized some of the issues discussed, especially those related to accessible transport, rehabilitation, etc. He also called on organizations and individuals to participate in the initiative contest: “Disability inclusion and covid-19 adaptation” to seek useful solutions for persons with disabilities to adapt to the post-Covid-19 world.

Activities to celebrate IDPD on December 3 are organized annually by organizations of and for persons with disabilities around the world to promote the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities in various social areas and development, and to raise awareness of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic and cultural life.