Nearly 100 representatives from disabled people’s self-help organizations nationwide gathered in Hanoi on June 14 for a national annual workshop under the theme “Phat trien hoa nhap” (Integration development) with the aim of increasing the role and position of disabled people in society.

Participants focused their discussions on four major issues: integration education, developing projects to support disabled people, draft law on disabled people, and poverty reduction strategies.

The seminar created a venue for disabled people and representatives from disabled people’s organizations across the country to meet and share experience.

According to recent statistics of the Ministry of Invalids and Social Affairs, Vietnam now has about 5.3 million disabled people, accounting for 6.34 percent of the total population, mostly living in rural areas. Most disabled people (70-80 percent in urban areas and 65-70 percent in rural areas) rely on their family, relatives and social relief. About 25-35 percent of the disabled can earn their own living.

During the workshop, many delegates said that activities in support of disabled people have gained remarkable achievements in recent times, thus improving living conditions for the disabled and affirming their important role in socio-economic development. However, many policies on assistance to disabled people have not yet been implemented effectively by agencies at all levels. Due to poor facilities, in provinces and cities, the disabled still face many difficulties in studying, seeking jobs and enjoying cultural and entertainment services.

Experts from the Vietnam Association for the Handicapped (VNAH) said that in the future the number of disabled people will continue to rise for many reasons, including traffic accidents, workplace accidents and environmental pollution.