A journey to illuminate the future for children with disabilities.
With the coordinated efforts of all levels of government, social organizations, schools, and the entire community, the care and support for children with disabilities in Nghe An has achieved many remarkable results. However, the road ahead still presents many challenges.
Efforts
At the Nghe An Children's Protection Fund, the image of the children...autism spectrum disorderChildren with intellectual disabilities, diligently coloring, engrossed in assembling puzzles, or shyly greeting strangers, have become incredibly familiar. In that quiet, friendly space, every small step forward is cherished, acknowledged, and encouraged. Some children, who could not speak at all, uttered their first touching words, "mother," while others, who used to withdraw into the corner of the room, now confidently integrate and play with their friends.
It is known that the Children's Protection Fund regularly organizes intensive psychological therapy programs, practical life skills education, donates specialized books, and organizes meaningful events such as Children's Day and Mid-Autumn Festival... These activities not only help children improve their skills but also spread a profound message of love and sharing in the community. A parent whose child is receiving treatment here couldn't hide their emotion: "My child used to not communicate, wouldn't make eye contact with people. But after nearly a year of therapy here, she knows how to greet, hug her mother, and even sing along to some familiar melodies. To me, those are miracles."
For children with autism spectrum disorder—a form of disability—we don't expect miracles overnight. But with each therapy session, each skills training session, each child has more opportunities to develop to their full potential.
Ms. Ton Thi Tri - Deputy Head of the Child Support Department, Nghe An Provincial Child Protection Fund
The spirit of care and support that fosters resilience is also evident in the story of Nguyen The Linh, a 5th-grade student at Dien Chau Town Primary School. Born with a mobility disability, with weakness in his right arm and leg, he has maintained an optimistic and diligent spirit thanks to the special attention from the local government in providing medical and material support, as well as creating favorable learning conditions, along with the close and dedicated care of the school.
From a young age, Linh had to learn to write with her left hand – a difficult journey, sometimes causing her so much pain that she cried. However, her yearning to go to school and her desire not to disappoint her grandmother gave her the strength to overcome everything. The school arranged a suitable seat for her, and her homeroom teacher always encouraged and supported her in her studies and skill development. The local government also regularly visited, gave gifts, and coordinated with the school to organize programs to help her and other disabled children. Thanks to this, she not only excelled in her studies but also became a filial granddaughter, helping her grandmother with daily chores.
Over the years, Nghe An province has made efforts to promote the care and support of children with disabilities to integrate into the community. With the profound attention of Party committees, government agencies, and the community, many outstanding results have been achieved in inclusive education and support for children with special circumstances in general, and children with disabilities in particular.
According to data from the Department of Health, the province currently has 935,290 children (accounting for 27% of the population), of which 10,815 have various disabilities, representing a rate of 1.16%.
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These are charitable transportation services that take children to hospitals for free screenings for various disabilities, including surgeries for congenital heart defects, cleft lip, cleft palate, or interventions related to motor skills and genitourinary systems, giving them a better chance to grow up healthier.
In 2024 alone, the Provincial Children's Protection Fund provided over 5.8 billion VND in support to 10,080 children, including screening for various disabilities for nearly 7,000 children, supporting congenital heart surgery for 51 children, cleft lip and palate surgery for 6 children, and supporting the costs of motor and urinary surgery for 25 disabled children. Nghe An Friendship General Hospital also provides comprehensive rehabilitation services, helping disabled children maximize their functions and integrate into society, including support for writing, sign language use, and Braille instruction. In addition, meaningful gifts such as wheelchairs, bicycles, scholarships, and school supplies are continuously given to the children, helping those with mobility disabilities to move to school independently or access knowledge more easily.
From August 2023 to May 2024, with the support of the Justice Initiative Fund (JIFF), the project "Promoting the implementation of children's rights, ensuring children's access to support resources, healthcare and education services for children with autism spectrum disorder in Nghe An province" was implemented in 5 districts of the province. Through this project, over 900 children with developmental disorders were surveyed, screened, and early detected; legal counseling and assistance were provided to 129 families with autistic children, bringing hope and direction to many families.
At specialized facilities such asNghe An Province Center for Education and Vocational Training for People with DisabilitiesEach year, the center receives 260-270 students with disabilities. Many of these children come from poor and disadvantaged families; while at the center, they not only learn to read and write but also receive vocational training and develop self-reliance skills to prepare them for integration into society.
Along with improving quality at specialized centers and promoting inclusive education in general schools to try to meet the diverse needs of children with disabilities, the Department of Education and Training has directed educational institutions to develop age-appropriate curriculum content, maintain and improve the quality of universal education, and especially to "organize the education of children with disabilities in inclusive settings effectively".
Obstacles to overcome
Nevertheless, the care and support of children with disabilities in Nghe An still faces many challenges that need to be addressed. According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Lai, Deputy Director of the Provincial Children's Protection Fund: Some Party committees, government agencies, and a segment of officials and citizens still have an incomplete understanding, considering work related to people with disabilities as a humanitarian and charitable activity, and the sole responsibility of relevant agencies.
The inadequate understanding of responsibilities towards people with disabilities in general and children with disabilities in particular has led to slow, incomplete, and ineffective leadership, guidance, and implementation of policies and laws concerning children with disabilities. Discrimination and prejudice against people with disabilities in general and children with disabilities in particular still persist.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Lai - Deputy Director of the Nghe An Provincial Children's Protection Fund
Furthermore, awareness among some families with children with disabilities, especially those with autism spectrum disorder, remains limited, leading to a failure to seek early counseling, surgery, or intervention for their children, thus missing out on golden opportunities for their development. In addition, the general economic difficulties also affect the mobilization of social resources, and obstacles in accounting for foreign aid also cause delays in implementing programs to support children with disabilities.
Furthermore, although inclusive education is given attention, developing individualized education plans and simplifying knowledge and skills for each student with disabilities remains a significant challenge, requiring perseverance and close cooperation between schools and families. In specialized educational institutions such as centers for the education and vocational training of people with disabilities, facilities are limited, lacking practice rooms and some vocational training equipment such as sewing, carpentry, and modern computers, along with limited funding for vocational training…
According to Ms. Le Thi Nguyet, Deputy Head of the Social Protection and Children's Department (Department of Health), in the coming time, it is necessary to strengthen propaganda work and raise community awareness extensively; at the same time, expand the support network, connecting charitable organizations and businesses with localities and specialized educational institutions in supporting children with disabilities. Training to improve the capacity of teachers, health workers, and collaborators working with children with disabilities should also be emphasized, ensuring that this team has sufficient knowledge and skills to provide the best care for them.
The journey to illuminate the future for children with disabilities is a long one, requiring the collective effort and solidarity of the entire society so that every child with disabilities is loved, cared for, and has the opportunity to develop their full potential, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Ms. Le Thi Nguyet – Deputy Head of the Social Protection and Children Department (Department of Health)
