Quang Tri: Series of activities on independent living of persons with disabilities

14 persons with disabilities and their caregivers in districts namely Vinh Linh, Cam Lo, Trieu Phong and Hai Lăng received peer counseling, this was the second home visit since the previous time. The activity had the participation of 02 technicians from the Rehabilitation Department - Quang Tri Provincial General Hospital.

Counselors monitor and evaluate the practice results of persons with disabilities

Counselors are persons with disabilities, they observed and recorded technicians’ instructions to keep reminding, guiding, and encouraging persons with disabilities to practice at home. In addition, they also provided technical guidance on physical access for their houses so that persons with disabilities/caregivers can renovate some features to live more independently in their daily activities.

Technicians instruct persons with disabilities on performing some necessary skills in rehabilitation

Mrs. N.T.L – A wife of a man with disabilities said: “Thanks to the previous guidance, my husband’s spirit is now happier. He can do some simple things by himself such as brushing his teeth, wiping his face, and I only support him with bathing, taking on/off clothes, and bringing food to the table. My family and I will try to encourage him to practice under the guidance of the technicians to improve his health and live as independently as possible.”

30 students and Youth Union officials of Vinh Ha commune, Vinh Linh district participated in the Communication Event on Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities at ACDC office in Quang Tri province. RENEW project introduced the causes, consequences, and harms of landmines to students and Youth Union officials at the Mine Action Visitor Center. After that, they visited the accessible house model at ACDC office and were introduced to content related to persons with disabilities such as the concept/causes of disability, types of disability, and the difficulties that persons with disabilities are facing.

Students and Youth Union officials of Vinh Ha commune, Vinh Linh district visited and learned about the independent living model of persons with disabilities at ACDC office in Quang Tri province.

Mrs. H.T.Q – Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union of the commune said: “This is a meaningful activity which helps me and students here understand persons with disabilities and their independent living better. Later in the summer activities, we will share this knowledge with other children and youngsters in our commune. Thank you a lot for creating conditions for us to have a useful experience”.

25 officials working in related fields such as People's Council, Justice, Policy, Women's Union, Youth Union, Front Committee, Health, OPD of Vinh Chap commune, Vinh Linh district participated in a training on Independent Living of persons with disabilities. With enthusiastic guidance and various methods (i.g. games, group discussion, story-telling, etc.), 03 facilitators who are persons with disabilities conveyed the content of independent living of persons with disabilities to participants.

Mr. L.D.Q.H – officials from the Commune People's Council said: “Through many interesting games in this class, I realized that society should accept the disability of people around and create opportunities for them, thereby persons with disabilities will be easily included in the community”.

Participants share their thought and feeling about the training

Mrs. T.T.H – officials of the Red Cross share: “This is my first time participating in a class where the teachers are persons with disabilities. They used a lot of methods to show us how to handle situations and communicate concisely. Previously, I took a contest to learn about the legal policies of persons with disabilities but I did not understand them well. Today I understood more clearly and I will use this knowledge to support persons with disabilities in the community.”

02 training courses on Independent Living for persons with disabilities and their families wereconducted in Vinh Linh and Trieu Phong districts with the participation of more than 30 persons with disabilities and their caregivers.

Participated in the training, Mr. N.T.V – a person with a disability in Vinh Hoa commune, Vinh Linh district said: “This is the first time I went to Dong Ha city. Moreover, I also meet other people in the same situation and learn more about independent living. I feel very happy and enjoyable. Thank you very much.”

The participants also openly shared and exchanged with ToT members about Independent Living, barriers, and policies of persons with disabilities. Especially they visited and experienced the accessible house model at the ACDC office in Quang Tri province.

Participants experience the accessible house model for persons with disabilities

Mr. D.T.D in Trieu Long Commune, Trieu Phong district shared: “This accessible house is very appropriate to a person with wheelchairs like me. When experienced it, I feel safe and convenient when moving”

Mr.L.P.T – a relative of a person having an extremely significant disability level committed: “I will apply the knowledge about independent living that I have learned today to support and take care of my mom in the best way, and also care more about her thought and decisions. I think this is a meaningful activity for persons with disabilities and their families. I would like to thank ACDC for giving us this opportunity to participate in the training.”

In the coming time, the Project “Promoting independent living of persons with severe disabilities in Quang Tri Province” will continue to carry out other activities to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities in Quang Tri province.

Translator: Ho Nhan