Da Nang: Supporting Livelihoods for Persons with Disabilities

The project provided essential production and business materials, including equipment, machinery, and other necessary tools. It also upgraded livestock shelters and improved business premises to help increase household income and stabilise the lives of persons with disabilities. At the same time, the project strengthened livelihood development capacities by providing technical guidance in production and business operations, financial management, and market linkages, thereby helping to improve income, enhance quality of life, and promote independent living for persons with disabilities. Additionally, project staff regularly visited households for monitoring and technical support to ensure effective use of resources, promptly address challenges, and improve sustainability and self-reliance for persons with disabilities and their families.

With the project’s support, the livelihood models have begun to yield positive results, helping persons with disabilities earn additional income, gain more confidence in daily life, and better integrate into the community.

Technical staff guide a person with disabilities in inspecting mushroom substrates inside the growing house, helping the household master the care process to improve the effectiveness of the livelihood model

Mr Nguyen Quang Ha - a person with a disability from Duy Trung commune - expressed his joy, sharing: “Since the project provided a mushroom-growing house and the technical staff guided me so carefully on how to take care of oyster mushrooms, I look after each mushroom block every day as if it were my own little treasure. Recently, the mushrooms have begun to sprout gradually, so I harvest a little every day, and it makes me very happy. Thanks to that, I have some additional income to cover daily expenses. I don’t know what else to say except thank you to ACDC and the project for giving me this valuable opportunity.”

Ms Nguyen Thi Man - a person with a disability from Thang Đien commune - shared her excitement: “The project advised me on reorganising my shop and supported me with a signage board, display shelves, a sugarcane juicer, and tables and chairs. I was so happy and truly delighted. After rearranging everything as instructed, the shop became much neater and brighter; the displayed items looked more appealing; and the space became more open, making it easier and more convenient for me to move around. The best part is that more customers now come to buy from my shop. I am truly grateful to the project.”

A person with disabilities receives support in the form of business space and equipment for operating a small grocery and beverage shop

This activity has not only brought joy to the beneficiary households but has also received strong support and consensus from local authorities.

Ms Thuy Duong - a staff member of Duy Nghia commune - shared: “We highly appreciate this practical support provided by the project to persons with disabilities in our area. This assistance not only helps them generate income to support themselves but also empowers them to overcome self-doubt and participate more independently and proactively in social activities. On behalf of the local authorities, we fully support these efforts and will continue to help connect market outlets to reduce pressure on product consumption for persons with disabilities.”

The activity is part of the project “Supporting the Improvement of Quality of Life for Persons with Disabilities in Provinces Heavily Affected by Agent Orange,” implemented in three areas: Quang Tri Province, Hue City, and Da Nang City. The project is led by the National Center for Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Treatment (NACCET). ACDC is one of the implementing partners under the management of the Center for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population (CCIHP).