Support Network for People with Disabilities

Between 2006 and 2009, ten thousand people were screened and provided with individual development plans as part of the “Support Network for People with Disabilities” program. These individual development plans outline the appropriate interventions for each individual disabled person, such as: orthopedic surgery, physical therapy, educational assistance, employment, or vocational training.

“My daughter has a mobility impairment. In 2008, medical workers screened her and introduced her to the Support Network for People with Disabilities program. Medical technicians come once every two months to instruct local medical workers and my family how to practice rehabilitation more effectively. They continue coming even after my daughter’s operations. She moves much better now.”

Based on existing networks of support for the disabled, this project builds, strengthens, and provides access to channels of direct medical, educational and social services for people with disabilities and children with disabilities.  This program also builds capacity through on-the-job training for and in coordination with local partners. Through this training, Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) units have been established at the local level to make it convenient for people with disabilities to access support services at no cost. Disabled students have received educational and vocational support to enable them to continue their schooling.

This program has not only given people with disabilities the opportunity to access modern health services, but has also helped them integrate into the community and take part in social activities.

A live and regularly updated database on disability has been set up for nearly 10,000 people with disabilities in Da Nang.  This database is shared with local partners so that they can map the disabilities in various areas and the supports that have been delivered, which helps to prevent duplication of effort.

Local authorities have been involved in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the project from the very beginning of the program so that they are participating fully with the organization in managing the program. Every activity is carried out only with the agreement of all parties involved, to instill in them a sense of their ownership of the program activities.

 
 

 

East Meets West Foundation (EMW)

East Meets West Foundation (EMW) is a US based non-governmental organization working in Vietnam since 1988 and is the largest NGO operating in Vietnam.  

EMW's work reflects the belief that every person deserves access to clean water, proper medical treatment and a solid education. EMW’s mission is to bring innovative, low cost solutions to complex issues that face vulnerable communities by building partnerships, developing opportunities, and creating sustainable solutions.

Over the last three years, 10,000 disabled people have been screened and individual development plans created as part of the Support Network – People With Disabilities program implemented by EMW.  This program has recently expanded to Thai Binh and Da Nang provinces, providing people with disabilities to access locally available, effective support so they can live healthier, longer, more prosperous lives, enriched by greater options.