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• The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam
  • General Index
  • Statistical Data on Disability Profile
  • Current Situation of Persons with Disabilities
  • The Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons 1993-2002
  • Profile of Disability-related Organizations

4. The Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons 1993-2002

• 4.1 Proclamation and Achievement of 12 Targets

  Area 1: National Coordination

  In 1992, Viet Nam set up Viet Nam's Commission of the Global Year for People with Disabilities bringing important changes for PWDs. Under one section, the proposed Disabilities Ordinance called for the establishment of a national committee for PWDs.

  Area 2: Legislation

  Since the 1950s, the government has adopted various specific policies and measures to care for PWDs. New laws for PWDs have been enacted continuously by the government of Viet Nam. The Constitution of 1959, 1980 and 1992 all have regulations to protect PWDs.

  On 23 June 1994, Viet Nam's National Assembly passed a new labour code with four sections that advocate the employment of PWDs. Moreover, seven decrees and a number of circulars passed by the government also advocate and guide the endeavours of the rights of PWDs in the areas of social benefits, education, health care, assistive devices, rehabilitation, training, employment and business.

  On 29 June 1997, the Disabilities Ordinance, including 9 chapters and 47 sections aimed at systemizing and institutionalizing existing documents for PWDs, was submitted to the National Assembly.

  Area 3: Information

  The Ministry of War, Invalids and Social Affairs conducted the first nationwide study of PWDs in 53 provinces and cities during 1994-1995.

  In 1994, an in-depth study of the availability of orthopedic equipment in the country was also conducted.

  Area 4: Public Awareness

  The mass media has increased public awareness concerning PWDs in the forms of special programs and articles. Media coverage also included movies, exhibitions, and literacy activities such as traditional art, songs, dance and drama performed by PWD.

  Campaigns 2001 for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Viet Nam in 2001 have had a significant impact on increasing awareness of PWDs within the country and areas where they have been held.

  Area 5: Accessibility and Communication

  In terms of infrastructure, better telecommunication systems facilitated the means for PWD to communicate, receive and disseminate information, and also enabled more of them to take up distance correspondence learning.

  Area 6: Education

  The educational programs for PWDs in Viet Nam are integrated with rehabilitation and job training. The programs are designed to meet the needs of PWDs based on the seriousness of their conditions.

  • Children with minor or mild disabilities study in the same classes as other children.
  • Children with hearing impairments are taught sign language.
  • Children with serious learning disabilities are in special schools and classes.

  Children with disabilities whose families are facing financial difficulties are totally or partially exempted from paying school expenses and other contributions. Exemptions and grants are also available for those who study in universities, colleges, and vocational schools.

  Area 7: Training and Employment

  Since 1993, Viet Nam has enacted one law and three decrees in order to promote the rights of PWDs for employment and vocational training. An ordinance has also been proposed. Under these reforms, PWDs are given vocational training and are totally or partially exempt from paying training fees.

  The government gives not only low-interest loans to institutions that conduct training to PWDs but also provides tax rebates for them. These institutions are also granted land to set up their training facilities. Also, the government has set up educational facilities, purchased special training equipment and helped train personnel to teach at these institutions.

  As of 1999, there were 16 institutions and hundreds of other training schools offering courses and places for PWDs.

  According to the law, administrative offices and private enterprises have to reserve suitable job positions for number of PWDs. Tax rebates together with low-interest loans are given to private enterprises. Moreover, grants for infrastructure spending and land for facilities are also given to these business enterprises.

  Strategies to promote self-employment and income generation for PWDs have been undertaken through low-interest loans. Additionally, tax exemption, free management, and business consultations have been offered to those who want to start their own business.

  Area 8: Prevention of Causes of Disability

  The government of Viet Nam is determined to prevent disability by introducing measures to prevent the conditions from occurring and to lesson the situations that cause disabilities such as;

  • disseminating through mass and printed media the causes of disability and some of the preventive measures people can take.
  • carrying out various programs including ante-care, pre-care, and neo-natal care, early child health care, and extensive vaccination against six diseases, namely, diphtheria, measles, polio, tetanus, tuberculosis and whooping cough.
  • executing various programs around the country to distribute iodized salt, supply clean and treated water, and improve sanitary conditions.
  • setting up clinical points in every commune and precinct to provide better care and treatment for common diseases and to prevent the spread of epidemic ones.

  The government of Viet Nam has enacted laws on labour and transportation safety, sanitation, and environmental protection.

  Area 9: Rehabilitation

  Determination to provide benefits and help PWDs has been shown by the government of Viet Nam in order to enable PWDs to live in the community, to live with their families, and to lesson the woes of those living in nursing homes. The government grants monthly social benefits to;

  1. those with extensive disabilities,
  2. PWDs who have neither income nor dependable support, or
  3. PWDs who have poor or old relatives to help them.

  Clinics set by the government nationwide to provide medical care and rehabilitation for PWDs. They are granted health insurance and are treated according to their needs or depending on their financial resources and the seriousness of their conditions. However, those PWDs with serious mental conditions are treated and cared for at other specialist clinics.

  Area 10: Assistive Devices

  The government of Viet Nam provides orthopedic equipment and rehabilitation services for PWDs. For PWDs who face financial problems, they are granted partial or total assistance in the purchasing of orthopedic and rehabilitation equipment.

  The government established the Scientific Institute of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation with orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation centers around the country. Various scientific research projects on PWDs were sponsored by the government. The government also trained orthopedic and rehabilitation experts.

  The government offers low-interest loans to private enterprises which produce auxiliary aids for PWDs. Import taxes are exempted for professional materials, assistive devices for PWDs, tools, and equipment for scientific research on PWDs.

  Area 11: Self-Help Organizations

  From 28-31 October 1996, Viet Nam closely collaborated with ESCAP to hold a four-day conference focusing on supporting the self-help initiatives of PWDs in Viet Nam. It was the first conference for PWDs that later led to the establishment of various self-help organizations and activities.

  The most prominent organization for PWDs in Viet Nam is the Viet Nam Association of the Blind. It has formed both a central office and various branches at local levels to provide support to its members such as a Braille newspaper, tapes featuring news, information and current affair commentaries, and various activities including poetry recitals and musical performances. The association also runs business enterprises for PWDs. In 1996, it opened 55 vocational training classes for its members. This association also proposed granting health insurance cards for its members and provided regular and case-by-case benefits to members. In the same year the association received 15 visits by international delegations and sponsors.

  The Viet Nam Association of the Blind and other self-help organizations including the Disabled Athlete's Group, and the Viet Nam Sports Association of Persons with Disabilities has organized their own activities. The Viet Nam Sponsors' Association for People with Disabilities and Orphans, and Save the Children with Disabilities Association provide various effective programs and activities to support PWDs.

  Area 12: Regional Cooperation

  Assistance concerning matters of PWDs has been provided by various foreign government agencies and non-governmental organizations i.e. Germany, Holland, Japan, the United Kingdom, the U.S.A., and United Nations bodies and agencies such as ESCAP and the International Labour Organization (ILO). The assistance received included assistive devices, rehabilitation, job creations, legislation and policies, and technical training.

• 4.2 Plan of Action for the New Decade

  • Expedite the implementation of the Disabilities Ordinance and enhance existing legislation to improve policies for people with disabilities;
  • Disseminate more information through the mass media and adopt various forms of propaganda to raise public awareness of people with disabilities;
  • Expand and speed up the disabilities prevention program, focusing particularly on the prevention of disabilities caused by diseases, and traffic and work-related accidents;
  • Strengthen and expand existing orthopedic and rehabilitation centers, encourage the establishment of social organizations and the setting up of enterprises which produce orthopedic equipment to meet the needs of people with disabilities;
  • Establish a Production Association of People with Disabilities and expand training programs that suit the needs and conditions of people with disabilities and implement policies to achieve goals stated in the Disabilities Ordinance;
  • Consolidate the existing organizations of people with disabilities and coordinate their activities and develop more groupings for people with disabilities, such as the Association of Disabled Athletes;
  • Continue nurturing and enhancing the relationships with international and regional organizations and effectively apply the international assistance offered to people with disabilities.