Thua Thien Hue: Home visit and counseling on independent living for persons with disabilities

Counselors visit homes and collect information for counseling to support rehabilitation and independent living at home

With the participation of a counseling group including social and cultural officers, health staff, and members of the OPDs, 16 households of persons with disabilities were counseled on necessary issues about independent living, being guided exercises to support their rehabilitation, and at the same time being encouraged to participate in social and local activities. In addition, the counselors discovered problems that persons with disabilities are facing through the toolkit on physical accessibility. These problems are high steps, electrical equipment which is installed too high, no handrails in toilets, slippery floors, etc, and then timely counseling on home improvement for persons with disabilities. At the same time, the officials introduced policies on loans, and job orientation for persons with disabilities clearly and specifically. This home visit has contributed to changing the perception of persons with disabilities about independent living, which helps persons with disabilities, as well as their families, identify unsafe factors in their living environment, thereby proactively renovating convenient and optimal space for movement and living.

The activity has received positive feedback:

Mr.V.T.K – a health staff of Huong Thuy town shared “In the past day, I felt very happy when persons with disabilities actively listened to counseling and suggestions given by the officials. This activity gives counselors like me the opportunity to directly interact with persons with disabilities, thereby paying more attention to them. In addition, health staff at the grassroots level also gain more knowledge about independent living and counseling skills for persons with disabilities.”

The counselor checks and guides some exercises suitable for persons with disabilities

Ms. N.T.H – a member of the OPDs in Huong Thuy town shared, “I feel very happy to be able to counsel directly to persons with disabilities like me, learn, exchange more experience, and inspire others. This is really a meaningful and emotional activity.”  

This is a practical activity to improve the ability to live independently and disability inclusion for persons with disabilities within the framework of year 2 of the project "Raising voices, creating opportunities – II ” in the period of 2021 – 2024  funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project’s team and counselors will continue to monitor and conduct a second visit to these households in the near future.