Thua Thien Hue: The Second home visits and counseling on independent living for persons with disabilities

On June 16^th, 2023, ACDC in collaboration with the Project Coordination Unit and relevant agencies organized the second home visit for 16 households of persons with disabilities in Phu Bai, Thuy Duong, Thuy Phuong, and Phu Bai wards, and Thuy Thanh commune of Huong Thuy town, Thua Thien Hue province.

During the first home visit in March 2023, a number of inaccessible features along with daily problems and policies related to persons with disabilities were recorded. After being counseled by socio-cultural officials, health workers, and members of the OPDs, for this second time, a lot of households and persons with disabilities have significantly improved.   

Regarding accessibility, some households have conducted renovations and improvements such as arranging furniture neatly, installing toilet handrails, and handrails at the entrance, creating more steps, etc. Although these renovations are simple, it has shown a significant change in the perception of persons with disabilities and their family about independent living, rising up confidently with their own abilities. In addition, a number of persons with disabilities also have positive changes in their health, mental health, and interactions in daily life. At the same time, the counselors continued to timely answer questions from persons with disabilities about policies on loans, vocational training, employment, etc.

This home visit helps persons with disabilities as well as their families identify unsafe factors in the living environment, thereby proactively improving the convenient space for moving and living. Moreover, this activity also contributes to changing persons with disabilities’ perception of independent living and integrating into the community.

A lot of positive feedback was recorded:

Mr. H.T.K – a member of the OPDs in Huong Thuy Town shared, “I am very happy when more households have improved as compared to the last time. Through this, I also gained a lot of experience to help other persons with disabilities in the community.”

Ms. H.T.N – a person with disabilities in Huong Thuy town shared, “Several months ago, officials visited my house and counseled me on renovations to make it more accessible and safer. My family's economy was also difficult, but I still try to follow the counseling. Now I can walk more easily and I feel more secure than before.”

This is a practical activity to improve the ability to live independently and integrate into communities for persons with disabilities within the framework of year 2 of the project "Raising Voices, Creating Opportunities – II” for persons with disabilities in the period of 2021 – 2024 funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In the coming time, the project will continue to coordinate with relevant agencies to implement activities to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities in the locality.