Quang Tri: A series of activities on the independent living of persons with disabilities

From May 13 to 30, 2022,  ACDC and  Quang Tri Organization of Persons with Disabilities, Agent Orange Victims, Protection of persons with disabilities and Children's Rights (OPD) coordinated to operate activities related to independent living of persons with severe disabilities. The activities occur within the framework of the project "Improving the Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities", funded by Humanity & Inclusion Vietnam (HI).

First, the Independent Living Training for persons with disabilities and their families was carried out at the Quang Tri Provincial Hospital of Traditional Medicine and Rehabilitation. The training class involved 16 persons with disabilities and their families in 3 communes following Vinh Long, Vinh Thuy, and Vinh Chuc.

Trainers of the class are persons with disabilities in the province. Under the enthusiastic guidance of 03 trainers, the trainees discussed and exchanged knowledge and skills for independent living of persons with disabilities. In practice, the trainees were introduced and experienced by practising the usage of equipment and items in the transition house in the Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital.

Trainees received practical instruction at the Transition House.

Ms N.T.L, a person with disabilities in Vinh Chap, shared: “Whenever I move around at home, I often hold on the wall, the wardrobe or the furniture. In this place, I like how handrails are placed around the house and in the bathroom. When I return home, I will ask my family to do the same thing.” 

Mr N.M.T, a person with disabilities in Vinh Long, said: “Participating in the training class, I feel like I am being treated on an equal footing with others. The training class assisted me in understanding what it means to live independently with persons with disabilities. This implies that persons with disabilities must think for themselves, speak up, and be supported by their families and society. Being aware of the accessible house model makes me extremely pleased. Thank you, ACDC and OPD, for organising it".

Following the independent living training, the project also deploys peer counselling. In this round, twenty-four people with disabilities and eight family members of people with disabilities were assisted in four districts: Vinh Linh, Cam Lo, Trieu Phong, and Hai Lang.

Through the counselling session, counsellors who are persons with disabilities shared, encouraged and advised their peers and families. The consultation content is highly diverse, from barriers to inclusion of persons with disabilities to topics related to community/social integration and advice/guidance on accessibility. Therefore, persons with disabilities can be independent in various daily activities and advice on policies and laws affecting persons with disabilities.

Counsellors on a peer counselling tour for persons with disabilities and their families

Ms T.T.P.C, a counsellor's group member, shared: “Today is my first time participating in this activity. I feel delighted and joyful to share what I have learned with persons with disabilities and converse and confide in them like family members.

The last activity in May 2022 is the departmental official’s independent living training activity. The training class attracted the participation of 25 officials in related fields such as The Women's Union, Youth Union, Fatherland Front, Health, Association of Persons with Disabilities, etc. of  Dong Thanh and Dong Giang wards, Dong Ha city.

Various methods, namely large group discussion, small group discussion, and games, were used flexibly by trainer groups during the training process. Thereby, the trainees have acquired knowledge about disability integration, accessibility to persons with disabilities and independent living to better support persons with disabilities.

Trainees are joining the group discussion about the Independent Living of persons with disabilities

Mr V.P.C, an officer of the Dong Thanh ward's front committee, shared: “Through the training, I feel that I have a better understanding of persons with disabilities. I think the essential thing is to remove barriers to help persons with disabilities live independently and all in line with the community.”

Mr H.V.T shared: "I will advise the leaders of the ward committee to help renovate the ramps at cultural houses and halls in the neighbourhoods so that people with disabilities have more opportunities to integrate into the community."

Soon, the project Improving the independent living status of persons with disabilities will continue to carry out further activities to enhance and improve the life quality of persons with disabilities in the locality