World News from Vietnam

"A society where everyone, regardless of background or disability, feels welcome, included and supported"

Vietnam implements sweeping disability rights legislation

(By: Derek Ford, 10.07.10)Vietnam implemented sweeping disability rights legislation. Ratified by the National Assembly, the law guarantees equality for people with disabilities in respect to education, work, health care, sports and entertainment, transportation and more. The law is said to benefit over seven million disabled Vietnamese people.

Under French colonialism, Vietnam was utilized primarily for agricultural production. The disabled were marginalized because they were not able to provide the same quantity of labor to the French capitalists as their able-bodied counterparts. The Vietnamese government has been working closely with the Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped organization to undo this colonial legacy.

There have been multiple legislative and institutional efforts made to promote the rights of the disabled since the early 1990’s. In 1992, the constitution guaranteed the protection of people with disabilities.

The newest legislation includes a five-year plan to provide inclusive education for children with disabilities, as opposed to the “separate but equal” logic that prevails in the United States.

Source: http://www.pslweb.org/

Vietnam Enacted the First Disability Law

(MCLEAN, Va., PRNewswire-USNewswire, 22.07.10) Recently the National Assembly of Viet Nam enacted the first comprehensive national law guaranteeing the rights of people with disabilities.  The new law mandates equal participation in society for people with disabilities through accommodation and access to health care, rehabilitation, education, employment, vocational training, cultural services, sports and entertainment, transportation, public places, and information technology.  This law is expected to have a direct impact on the growth of Viet Nam's economy, as inclusive policies expand opportunities for Vietnamese with disabilities to be productive and achieve economic independence.

The National Disability Law is the culmination of an intensive effort of more than a decade to develop a legal framework for an inclusive society where people with disabilities have access to the programs and supports necessary for their full participation. This effort began with the passage of the national Ordinance on People with Disabilities in 1998, and led to a series of initiatives to advance the rights and interests of people with disabilities, including:

• Establishment of the inter-agency National Coordinating Council on Disability (NCCD) ;
• Enactment of the barrier-free access code and standards for public construction
• Enactment of barrier-free access standards and regulations for public transport
• Disability inclusion provisions in the Vocational Training Law
• Implementation of a 5-year National Action Plan on disability.

These achievements in policy reform and implementation have brought direct benefits to more than seven million Vietnamese with disabilities, and indirectly benefitted several million more.  The Vietnamese government is set to begin work this summer to develop a regulatory framework and implementation guidance for the new law. 

Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped (VNAH) has provided significant support to the Vietnamese government in bringing about these pivotal reforms through a series of grant initiatives funded by the United States Agency for International Development and targeted program funds from the Nippon Foundation.  VNAH and its international technical partners have been at the forefront of the disability law effort, providing technical assistance to the legal drafting team, promoting the alignment of Viet Nam's disability law with the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the U.S. ADA, supporting grassroots review and input to the law's development, as well as exposing  Vietnam's policy-makers and legislators to international good practices on disability rights through international exchange. VNAH will continue to work in partnership with the government of Viet Nam to successfully implement the National Disability Law.

For more information on VNAH's humanitarian program in Vietnam, visit: http://www.vnah-hev.org

Source: Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped (VNAH)

IT student gets foot in the door despite disability

Nguyen Thanh Tung is like any 21-year-old - except that he does with his feet what others do with their hands. Vu Khanh Linh gets to know him. When an electrical accident destroyed the ability of Nguyen Thanh Tung to use his hands, doctors were forced to amputate and the door to a bright future seemed to close for good.

But rather than let misfortune ruin his life, Tung has overcome all the physical obstacles that once stood in his way. His determination has allowed him to pursue a career in information technology.

The keen computer specialist believes that after finishing his ACCP (Aptech Certified Computer Professional) course at Ha Noi Aptech Centre, he will be able to make his dream of becoming an IT businessman come true.

'Computer programmer by feet' is the nickname given to him by teachers and friends at Ha Noi Aptech Centre.People now accept that Tung works with his legs instead of his hands. His toes are particularly important for completing college work.

Tung's journey to become a student at an IT college with a world class reputation is filled with inspiration and courage.

Unfortunate childhood

Tung's childhood was filled with bad luck. Not only did the accident destroy his hands, it also caused some injuries that took a long time to emerge. In total, Tung spent more than two years in treatment.

Although modern medicine was able to cure his injuries, doctors were unable to heal the wound deep in his heart. The length of treatment he needed meant that Tung was forced to drop out of school. He stayed at home and did nothing.

Tung watched children go to class every morning, but he had little to do but play alone and endure a succession of boring days.

A chance encounter with a kind-hearted neighbour meant that Tung came into contact with a film which changed his outlook on life.

He was given a video tape named Kim Co Ky Quan (Good Examples of the Disabled) about a Chinese disabled woman. She had lost her hands but still managed to do any job she put her mind to. The tape completely changed Tung's thoughts. "I can do it!" he kept telling himself when he tried to perform everyday tasks with his legs, such as learning to write with a pen.

After some time his confidence began to build and he asked his parents if he could return to school. Although surprised by the request, his parents were afraid that their son would be unable to catch up with classmates. Eventually, Tung's determination persuaded them. The nationwide scholarship fund "Odon Vallet" provided by a French professor to excellent students enabled him to return to a life filled with education.

"When I returned to school, teachers would ask if I needed more time for things like finishing exams, but I would always refuse. There is only one thing different between me and other people - I use my legs for writing instead of my hands, that's all," Tung said happily.

Life has just begun

The high school student tasted a double dose of happiness when he heard that he had passed the entrance exam for Ha Noi Aptech Centre, one of the best education institutes for training computer programmers. "A friend of mine challenged me to register for the Aptech exam. I took it because I wanted to test myself," he said.

"But I knew there would be another problem. The Aptech fee is US$2,000 per year and my parents couldn't afford for me to study there," Tung confided. Luckily, Dinh Tri Dung, the director of Aprotrain - Aptech Centre knew about Tung's case. He admired the energetic boy who seemed to have an incredible thirst for knowledge.

Impressed by his spirit, the director gave Tung the most valuable gift - a 99 per cent scholarship for the Aptech course.

"It's amazing that I am studying in such an esteemed environment. Everything is so different from what I expected. It's a totally new horizon for me!," Tung happily enthused.

To carry out tasks in class, he mainly uses his right leg to control the keyboard and mouse. The awkward movements gradually became easier. However, it takes Tung at least four hours to revise lessons at home because the programme is difficult.

Although he has a heavy study schedule, he uses his spare time to socialise with friends and surf the internet. He has received many letters from friends around the country. Most of the letters are from disabled and able-bodied people who support and encourage Tung, and also share their experiences.

"I have many good friends, especially girlfriends. They usually take me out but they are always the driver," Tung said mischievously. Since Tung began studying at the Aptech centre, his life has been very busy. Unsatisfied with his achievements so far, the computer specialist concentrates on achieving future dreams and ambitions.

"I want to become a successful businessman and hope to secure a university degree in Economics," he said. His huge ambition to conquer all challenges means that Tung certainly faces a bright future. For a 21-year-old, he has a very mature attitude and acts as a responsible adult, but to his parents, he will always be 'little Tung'.

"I hope that he will one day find a suitable job that will fit in with his health and professional aspirations. I want to see my son happy," Tung's mother said. - VNS

Source: Viet Nam News - 12 August 2007