Gov't approves support program for people with disabilities

The program is part of the Government's effort to realize the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Law on Persons with Disabilities with a view to improving lives for disabled persons; creating favorable ways for them to equally participate in the society; and enable them to maximize their potential.

In the 2026-2030 period, the program targets to ensure that about 90% of persons with disabilities would access to health services; 80% of children, from newborn to six-year-old, would undergo screening tests to early detect birth defects and development disorders, and have early intervention on different types of disabilities.

In addition, around 70,000 children and persons with disabilities would receive orthopaedic surgery.

Up to 90% of people in preschool and school ages would access to education.

The program also plans to provide vocational training and job generation services for 300,000 persons with disabilities. 100% of people with disabilities would be able to borrow loans at preferential interest rates.

All of them would enjoy free-of-charge public transport services and 60% of trans-provincial transport fees. The program also looks to enable people with disabilities to use IT public services, accounting for a third of the national average rate.

Under the program, 70% of localities would have sports clubs for people with disabilities. Specifically, 15% of persons with disabilities would be encouraged to engage in sports exercises. Around 20% of disabled people would participate in cultural and art activities.

The program comprises key activities including medical assistance, educational assistance, vocational training assistance, livelihood support, disease prevention, as well as natural disaster mitigation.

The handicapped will receive free legal assistance.

According to a study, which was released by the UNICEF in 2019, there were 6.2 million people with disabilities in Viet Nam, accounting for 7% of the country’s population. Besides, the study found, nearly 12 million people — 13% of the nation — live in households with a handicapped person.

Households with disabled members are often poorer and there are fewer job opportunities for people with disabilities. Moreover, handicapped children are less likely to attend school than their peers. At high-school level, less than one-third of children with disabilities go to school at the right age, compared to two-thirds of children without disabilities./.

By Kim Loan