Over recent years, Da Nang has implemented many humanistic policies with the aim to help people with disabilities confidently integrate into the community.

Donation of assistive tools and devices

Mr. Le Van Ch. wheelchair supported by Duy Tan University in 2019. Photo: Tieu Yieu

Mr. Le Van Ch., residing in Hoa Khanh Nam Ward, Lien Chieu District, has trouble moving on his own because his commute pretty much depends on the wheelchair.

Every day, he sits on the wheelchair and sells lottery tickets along streets near his house. The disabled man said this was a suitable job for his health, helping him earn little income to cover his life.

However, the life of the wheelchair is not high within only a few years. There was one time when his means of transport broke down, and he did not have money to buy new ones, so he had to stop selling lottery tickets.

Knowing this situation, in 2019, the Duy Tan University presented him an electric wheelchair.

“The new wheelchair makes it easier for me to move around and do my job well", said he.

Since 2019, the Duy Tan University has donated dozens of electric wheelchairs to the needy in a bid to encourage them to overcome their difficulties and well integrate into the community.

Since using prosthetic legs supported by the Da Nang Association of Disabled People, Tran Thi Tam H., a resident of An Hai Dong Ward, Son Tra District, has felt like she has been living a different life.

The woman told our reporter that she lost both legs after a landmine accident at the age of 12. Currently, she is making votive paper offerings to earn a living.

Since she was installed with prosthetic legs, she has moved and delivered goods smoothly, so she confidently received new orders, thereby earning an income of VND5-6 million/month.

"In the past, I only could go anywhere with the help and support of my relatives and friends. But now, with prosthetic legs, I can take the initiative to walk, especially I am more confident when going back and forth, and interacting with my neighbours" confided she.

Mr. Truong Cong Nghiem, Chairman of the Da Nang Association for Disabled People, remarked, over the past five years, his unit has cooperated with the International Committee of the Red Cross to provide assistive devices such as prosthetic limbs, orthopedic socks, and splints for hundreds of disabled people in the city.

He noted there are still quite a few people with disabilities who are in need of assistive devices and tools in an support of their community integration. "We hope that the city's humanistic policies for people with disabilities will be seriously implemented at grassroots level so that these people can soon stabilise their lives," said Mr. Nghiem.

More humanistic policies being carried out

Following its support plan for people with disabilities during the 2021-2030 period, Da Nang has set a target that 100% of poor families with disabled people living in temporary, downgraded and severely damaged level 4 houses will be given financial support to build new houses or repair old ones.

As many as 1,500 people with disabilities will be provided with vocational training courses, jobs, and suitable means of livelihood. Meanwhile, organisations and individuals are encouraged to establish vocational training institutions, and production and business establishments exclusively for people with disabilities.

100% of disabled people can borrow preferential loans at the prescribed interest rate, whilst 90% of children with disabilities in preschool and secondary schools are eligible to have access to inclusive or specialised education.

In addition, the city will perfect and develop a database system for management, policy making, and information reporting, as well as enhance the management capacity for organisations with disabled people.

Top priority will be given to facilitating people with disabilities to access cultural, artistic, sports, entertainment and recreational activities, and encouraging private businesses to offer exemption and reduction on ticket prices for them at entertainment venues and tourist attractions.

Libraries in the city will be asked to ensure reading space dedicated to people with disabilities in need.

With regard to medical assistance, by 2030, 100% of children aged below 6 will be screened for early detection of birth defects, developmental disorders and early intervention for all types of disabilities.

900 children and disabled people will be supported with orthopedic surgery, rehabilitation service, and appropriate assistive devices.

Social working groups at district-level health centres and hospitals will be responsible for providing advice and support for disadvantaged people, including the disabled.

To help people with disabilities move easily, the city has set a target that 100% of new construction projects, including working offices of State departments and agencies, railway stations, bus stations, medical facilities, educational institutions, vocational training centres, cultural, physical training and sports facilities, and apartment buildings, and 50% of old buildings renovated, will ensure access for people with disability to transport. 100% of people with disabilities are exempted and reduced fares according to regulations.

Mr. Truong Cong Nghiem affirmed that Da Nang is one of the few cities nationwide that have drastically implemented humanistic policies for people with disabilities.

According to Mr. Nghiem, over the years, his Association has made suggestions to the municipal People's Committee to create more than 300 walkways for the disabled at 35 streets in Hai Chau, Thanh Khe and Son Tra districts, and at one-stop-shops for public services in the city, in an effort to help these people easily move and handle procedures when necessary.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Long, Chairman of the municipal Association for Sponsoring People with Disabilities and Orphans, hopes that, in the time to come, the city will continue to promote the implementation of policies and laws on people with disabilities, with focus on creating suitable job opportunities for them.

Reporting by TIEU YEN - Translating by M.DUNG