Arouse the aspirations and will of the less fortunate

PV:Sir, over the years, in its role, the Association for the Protection of Children's Rights and SponsorshipdisabledWhat activities has the province done to care for the less fortunate?

Mr. Nguyen Hai Thanh:In recent years, with the attention and participation of all levels and sectors, the support for people with disabilities in the province has achieved quite basic results. Accordingly, more than 59 thousand people with disabilities receive regular subsidies in the community and are granted health insurance cards; many short-term vocational training classes suitable for people with disabilities are maintained; medical examination and treatment for people with disabilities are organized with attention...

After 12 years of operation, the Association at all levels has mobilized more than 185 billion 316 million VND in cash and in kind, supporting 400 thousand disabled people, orphans and other disadvantaged people in cash.

The Provincial Association for the Protection of Children's Rights and Support of the Disabled presents cows for livelihood to disadvantaged households of disabled people. Photo: CSCC

PV:When talking about people with disabilities, we often see examples of “disabled but not useless”. How would you rate the efforts of people with disabilities in recent years?

Mr. Nguyen Hai Thanh:In Nghe An, people with disabilities account for about 7% of the population. Many people with disabilities are having difficulty integrating into the community, living temporarily, not having a job, and having difficulty accessing services such as health care, education, vocational training, etc. However, through their efforts and activities, the Association has inspired people with disabilities to help them truly rise up, overcome their own and social complexes, and do useful work for themselves and their families.

The program honors collectives and individuals who have achieved the title "Golden Lotus of Charity of Nghe An" in Quynh Luu district. Photo: CSCC

The Association has also organized exchanges and meetings to honor outstanding disabled people and orphans with the following topics: Disabled people and orphans overcoming themselves, Meeting of disabled businessmen... to arouse their aspirations and will, determination to rise up in life, give them confidence and let them live in the love, care, support and protection of their relatives and the community.

Therefore, despite the difficult conditions, many disabled people have created jobs that are suitable to their health and conditions, such as animal husbandry, production, and services. In addition, many people have boldly expanded production and business, established enterprises, creating jobs for many people with stable and well-off incomes. These are truly typical examples of the spirit of overcoming difficulties, "disabled but not useless".

PV:You used to be the Deputy Director of the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs and have been involved in the work of supporting people with disabilities in the province for 12 years. During your work, what is your biggest concern, especially the implementation of policies to support this group?

Mr. Nguyen Hai Thanh:Compared to normal people, disabled people are less fortunate. I sympathize and share with disabled people because they suffer from physical and health disadvantages, including some who are victims of Agent Orange/dioxin and war invalids. In addition, most of them are poor and near-poor households, their economic and living conditions are very difficult, and they and their relatives have to bear the burden.

Ms. Nhu Hoa - a disabled person who knows how to overcome adversity in Vinh city has created jobs for many disadvantaged workers in the same situation. Photo: My Ha

In recent years, although the Party, the State and social organizations have paid attention, people with severe disabilities and especially severe disabilities who are victims of Agent Orange/dioxin still face many difficulties both mentally and materially. Should the State give more preferential treatment as well as the community's concern and sharing for these disadvantaged people?

PV:We are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Among the three main contents of this event, there is a very meaningful content; that is to build and raise awareness of people with disabilities themselves to eliminate barriers, self-consciousness and their invisibility in society. So, in your opinion, why do some people with disabilities still have self-consciousness, is it because there are still barriers from society?

Mr. Nguyen Hai Thanh:The Party and State have always paid great attention to protecting the rights of people with disabilities and implementing policies to support people with disabilities. At the same time, they have prioritized allocating resources to ensure the implementation of policies, programs, and projects to support people with disabilities so that they can borrow capital, receive social assistance, care, and rehabilitation.

Mr. Nguyen Hai Thanh (far right) and representatives of business organizations give support to disabled people in difficulty. Photo: HBTCC

However, besides the efforts, there are still social barriers due to the incorrect and incomplete awareness of the community, family and disabled people themselves. A part of disabled people are not confident to overcome their fate and have not received timely support to integrate into the community and have not tried to participate in the content to enjoy the support policies issued by the State for disabled people.

In fact, many people with disabilities have not received vocational training, job search support, or loans to develop production.

In recent years, relatives, families and society have had positive thoughts and views on people with disabilities. However, congenital disabilities or other reasons will haunt them throughout their lives, and will be a burden for their families and relatives. I think that when families and relatives truly consider people with disabilities as people who have shouldered the hardships and misfortunes for them and for society, and everyone sympathizes and shares, then inferiority and barriers will be removed.

PV:Obviously, with their own difficulties and characteristics, the journey to integrate, rise up and take control of the lives of people with disabilities is still a difficult one. So, in your opinion, what should the State and the province focus on in the coming time to help people with disabilities both physically and mentally? What solutions does the Support Association have to connect and support people with disabilities throughout the province?

Mr. Nguyen Hai Thanh:General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong wrote, “We need a humane, united, mutually supportive society, moving towards progressive and humane values.”

The Association for the Protection of Children's Rights and the Support of the Disabled presented support to poor and near-poor households with members who are disabled in Tuong Duong district. Photo: CSCC

Directive No. 11/CT-TU dated November 8, 2021 of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee on supporting people with disabilities in Nghe An also pointed out: It is necessary to improve the quality and effectiveness of the activities of organizations for people with disabilities and organizations for people with disabilities. In addition, it is necessary to consolidate, perfect and synchronize organizations for people with disabilities and organizations for people with disabilities from the provincial to grassroots levels, strongly innovate the content and methods of operation of organizations according to the motto "Strengthening solidarity, proactively striving for humanity, equality, and community integration".

That is also the task that the Association must thoroughly grasp and organize to implement in 2023 and the following years. In order for people with disabilities to soon overcome difficulties, I also hope that the Party and the State will continue to improve policies and laws on people with disabilities and support for people with disabilities. In particular, focusing on breakthrough policies to increase access to education, vocational training, job creation, and creating stable and autonomous livelihoods for people with disabilities.

In building and implementing livelihood models for people with disabilities, we will focus on implementing vocational training models associated with employment at enterprises and production facilities; vocational training models associated with livelihoods for people with disabilities; community-based rehabilitation models...

In the immediate future, I hope that the Party Committees and authorities of districts and communes that do not have an association for people with disabilities should pay attention to perfecting their organizations in 2022 to operate for the legitimate rights and interests of people with disabilities, giving people with disabilities a common home to help them integrate into the community, fulfill their civic duties, and contribute to the cause of socio-economic construction and development.

PV:Thank you for taking the time to chat!