People with disabilities still face many obstacles in accessing social services.

(Baonghean.vn) - In Nghe An province, people with disabilities account for about 7% of the population. Many people with disabilities are having difficulty integrating into the community, living temporarily, without jobs, and having difficulty accessing services such as health care, education, vocational training, etc.

These were the issues discussed at the seminar celebrating the 25th anniversary of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3, 1992 - December 3, 2017) at the Provincial Center for Education and Vocational Training for Persons with Disabilities on the morning of December 1.

Attending the discussion were leaders of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities and Orphans, and many teachers and students of the Provincial Center for Education and Vocational Training for People with Disabilities.

Deaf students at the provincial Center for Education and Vocational Training for the Disabled perform a dance to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Photo: Phuoc Anh

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 issued 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...

In general, the awareness of the community towards people with disabilities has been gradually raised. Thanks to that, many people with disabilities have overcome their inferiority complex and achieved many achievements in studying and economic development.

Leaders of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, sponsoring associations, and many teachers and students of the Nghe An Center for Education and Vocational Training for the Disabled participated in the discussion. Photo: Phuoc Anh

However, at the discussion, many opinions also frankly pointed out the difficulties and shortcomings in the work of caring for and supporting people with disabilities in the community. Some legal regulations on people with disabilities are still lacking, inconsistent, and not specific; the awareness of a part of the Party committees, authorities, families, society, and even the people with disabilities themselves is still limited; specialized education and vocational training centers have not been properly invested in, and have not met the needs of people with disabilities in cultural and vocational education...

Taking note of the comments at the discussion, the leaders of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs proposed a number of solutions to better implement policies and regimes for people with disabilities: promoting propaganda, raising public awareness; strengthening inspection and supervision of the implementation of the Law on People with Disabilities; promoting activities to help people with disabilities fully access social services...

Students learn a trade at the provincial vocational training center for the disabled. Photo courtesy

Phuoc Anh