HANOI, December 3, 2015 -- Thousands of persons with disabilities in both rural and urban areas of Vietnam have enjoyed better health, education and livelihood opportunities as part of the support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Persons with Disabilities Support Program.

“This part of our broader disabilities assistance portfolio has been vital to our continuing commitment to supporting persons with disabilities in Vietnam,” said USAID Mission Director Joakim Parker. “We are pleased that it has helped many persons with disabilities realize their potential through improved access to health care, education and employment opportunities.”

The three-year program, which was launched in 2012, focuses on direct assistance and building the capacity of local governments and local NGOs to provide a sustainable network of medical, education and employment services for persons with disabilities in eight provinces and cities, including Danang, Dong Nai, Binh Dinh, Quang Nam, Tay Ninh, Binh Phuoc, Thai Binh, and Thua-Thien Hue.

Working with the departments of labor, invalids, and social affairs, education and training, and health in these provinces and cities, the program has also built the long-term capacity of more than 4,700 health providers, educators, employers and social workers through training that helps them adequately address the needs of persons with disabilities in their communities.

The accomplishments of the cooperation under the program were the subject of a recent workshop attended by over 100 participants, including representatives from all the provinces where the project where provides assistance, and representatives from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Health.

Since 1989, the United State Government has contributed $60 million in assistance to persons with disabilities in Vietnam. USAID recently announced six new projects serving Vietnamese with disabilities aimed at promoting health, social inclusion and disability rights.

For more information about the program, visit: https://www.usaid.gov/vietnam/persons-with-disabilities-support-program

To view Ambassador Osius’ video message explaining the way in which the Ambassador’s Residence was renovated to meet U.S. disability law regulations, click here:   https://youtu.be/jwB3KPVF1mk