Vietnam has developed a strong legal framework that guarantees people with disabilities the right to participate in society. However, implementation of these policies remains inconsistent. Thus, many people with disabilities face challenges in exercising their rights and accessing services at the local level. Effective national coordination and rehabilitative services are crucial to achieving these important goals. The project assists Vietnamese partners at the national level and in Tay Ninh, Binh Phuoc, and Dong Nai provinces to address these issues.

STRONGER ENFORCEMENT OF DISABILITY POLICIES

The project provides technical support to Government of Vietnam partners to develop and execute the action plan for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), as well as revise sectoral policies to be compatible with the CRPD. The project also aims to improve the enforcement of existing disability law, the National Disability Action Plan, and the action plan for the rehabilitation sector, including the expansion of health insurance coverage for rehabilitation services.

The project helps the newly established National Committee on Disability and its members to strengthen coordination, advocacy, planning, and monitoring of disability rights and programs at the national and provincial levels. 

In addition, the project supports the refinement and roll-out of the National Disability Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and will conduct annual performance reviews and develop reports for the Government of Vietnam and the UN on CRPD implementation. In conjunction, the program is assisting the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MOLISA) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) to establish a national disability database by expanding the existing Disability Information System to remaining provinces.

IMPROVED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES AND TRAINING

The project works with universities to develop and incorporate occupational therapy into existing short-term postgraduate certificate training. With the project’s support, general doctors, health professionals, and community health workers in Tay Ninh and Binh Phuoc are trained to become rehabilitation practitioners meeting Government of Vietnam standards. Provincial, district, and communal rehabilitation units are set-up, equipped and staffed with trained workers. Training and interventions to address gender inequality and discrimination based on disabilities are applied at the local level.

EXPECTED RESULTS

By 2023, the project aims to provide direct assistance to 8,000 persons with disabilities and training to 7,000 service providers and caregivers.