Workshop: Direct Support and Livelihood Development to Promote Independent Living and Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities

The event was attended by Dr. Tran Duc Hung, Deputy Director General of the National Action Centre for Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Treatment (NACCET) and Head of the Inclusion Project Management Board; Ms. Marialice Bonita Ariens, representative of the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam; Mr. Dang Van Thanh, Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Federation on Disability (VFD); Mr. Pham Xuan Hung, Vice President and Director of the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin Fund; Mr. Le Quang Hung, Member of the Gia Lai Provincial Party Committee and Director of the Gia Lai Provincial Department of Health; Mr. Bruno Jean V. Leclercq, Country Representative of Humanity & Inclusion (HI) in Vietnam and Director of the Inclusion IIb Project; Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Director of ACDC; representatives of project implementing agencies and partners; and a large number of persons with disabilities from the two project areas.

The workshop aimed to review direct support and livelihood development activities, with a focus on the independent living and social inclusion of persons with disabilities; identify effective intervention models, approaches, and factors contributing to positive change; share lessons learned, challenges, and notable stories of change during implementation; and propose recommendations to sustain, integrate, and scale up effective approaches after the project ends.

Dr. Tran Duc Hung, Deputy Director General of NACCET and Head of the Inclusion Project Management Board, speaking about the role of sustainable livelihoods in promoting independent living for persons with disabilities

Speaking at the workshop, Dr. Tran Duc Hung, Deputy Director General of NACCET and Head of the Inclusion Project Management Board, emphasized that addressing the consequences of toxic chemicals involves not only environmental improvement but, more importantly, providing ongoing support and care for affected people, helping them achieve stable lives and opportunities to develop their capabilities. He stressed: “For persons with disabilities, home-based care, rehabilitation, and improvements to their living environments and daily living conditions are necessary conditions for them to move forward and participate in life. However, sustainable livelihoods are the sufficient condition that enables them to stand on their own feet and live independently. When persons with disabilities generate their own income and contribute to their families, they can build self-confidence and affirm their roles and positions within their families and communities. This is at the heart of social inclusion.”

Dr. Le Quang Hung, Director of the Gia Lai Provincial Department of Health, shared a similar perspective, emphasizing that efforts must go beyond inclusion to pursue the goal of independent living for persons with disabilities. He also proposed conducting a comprehensive evaluation and connecting data from project implementing agencies and different projects to develop the most comprehensive possible overview.

Delegates pose for a group photo at the exhibition showcasing activities supporting persons with disabilities under the Inclusion IIb Project

Representing the donor, Ms. Marialice Bonita Ariens, Senior Foreign Assistance Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, reaffirmed the United States' commitment to working alongside Vietnam. She stated: “We believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, have opportunities to develop, and be able to participate fully in social life. Independent living means having the right to make choices, make decisions for oneself, and access the support needed to live with dignity and autonomy. Sustainable livelihoods also help strengthen independence, self-confidence, and the ability to participate meaningfully in the community.” Ms. Marialice Bonita Ariens also delivered a key message: “The measure of true success lies not only in what a project implements, but also in what persons with disabilities can achieve, choose for themselves, and sustain in their own lives.”

Mr. Bruno Jean V. Leclercq, Director of the Inclusion IIb Project and Country Representative of HI in Vietnam, specifically acknowledged and commended ACDC's efforts throughout project implementation. From the perspective of the project management agency, he praised ACDC's implementation approach and the strong technical foundation established by ACDC and its local partners, where “understanding, compassion, patience, and loving support” had made a significant contribution to improving the lives of persons with disabilities.

Delegates and persons with disabilities share their experiences and perspectives during a panel discussion on changes in their lives and their aspirations for independent living and social inclusion

At the Workshop, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Director of ACDC, also presented a report evaluating the effectiveness of direct support and livelihood activities for persons with disabilities in the two project provinces. The report confirmed that the series of interventions in Gia Lai and Quang Ngai had brought about clear improvements in the autonomy and social standing of persons with disabilities. The findings showed that 77.3% of persons with disabilities had achieved a degree of independence in daily activities, while 90.6% expressed positive assessments of independent living support services. Under the livelihood component, 98.4% of participants affirmed their right to decide on their livelihood models, 87.5% independently managed their production activities, and 90.6% demonstrated the capacity to reinvest for long-term sustainability. Emphasizing the interconnected approach linking rehabilitation, care, independent living, and economic autonomy, Ms. Lan Anh proposed standardizing case management tools, harmonizing identification codes, and integrating the model into local social protection policies to sustain its long-term impact.

In the afternoon, participants engaged in panel discussions and thematic sessions focusing on stories of change and the future aspirations of persons with disabilities. The sessions further explored approaches to sustaining, integrating, and scaling up support models.

Delegates pose for a group photo at the Workshop

The workshop marked an important step toward promoting positive and sustainable change for the community of persons with disabilities, working toward an inclusive society in which no one is left behind. Drawing on the lessons learned and recommendations gathered, the Inclusion IIb Project is expected to continue making practical contributions to the care and support of persons with disabilities in Vietnam.