Creating opportunities for persons with disabilities to thrive

Although their physical conditions may differ from those of others, many persons with disabilities (PWDs) continue to nurture meaningful aspirations, to study, to work, to affirm their own worth, and to contribute to the community.

Guests experience activities at booths showcasing exemplary livelihood models developed by women with disabilities. Photo: Nga Son

Through personal determination and support from the community, particularly from the Inclusion III-b Project, directly implemented in Dong Nai province by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in cooperation with the Disability Research and Capacity Development Centre, Nguyen Thi Kim Yen, a resident of quarter 1, Long Binh ward, has realized her dream of becoming a tailor. She now earns a stable income and lives independently, without becoming a burden on her family or society.

Personal efforts

Nguyen Thi Kim Yen was once physically healthy. At the age of three, however, a bout of polio permanently deprived her of the ability to walk and run like other children her age. Unable to move independently and growing up in a disadvantaged household, she completed only kindergarten before dropping out of school. Her first class after early childhood education was a free tailoring course taught by nuns from the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Bac Hai Congregation in Long Binh ward.

Kim Yen shared that: having stopped school early, her reading and writing skills were limited. After many years away from formal education, being required to write down measurements and take notes during tailoring lessons posed a significant challenge. Nevertheless, faced with the need to read and write numbers and letters for measuring and pattern drafting, she taught herself to do so. Today, she can read and write fluently. With a strong passion for tailoring, she practiced cutting and sewing on her own, learned quickly, and soon mastered the craft. After many years in the profession, she can now sew a wide range of styles to meet customers’ requests.

At a recent Livelihood Capital Support Program for persons with disabilities and victims of Agent Orange/dioxin in Dong Nai province, jointly organized by the Disability Research and Capacity Development Centre, the provincial Department of Health and the Dong Nai Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin, Nguyen Duc Hiep Huyen (from Tan Lap quarter, Phuoc Tan ward) expressed his joy upon receiving financial support and a laptop to support his livelihood.

Huyen shared that contracting polio at the age of three took away the use of his legs. Since then, his life has been closely tied to wooden crutches, a wheelchair, and a hand-powered tricycle. Although living without the ability to walk posed many difficulties, his strong desire to learn and determination to overcome adversity drove him to complete high school and pursue vocational training in electronics at the No. 2 Intermediate School of Economics and Technology in Tam Hiep Ward.

After graduating, he worked for others to gain hands-on experience. Two years later, with support from his family and his own savings, he opened a home-based electronics repair shop and began offering sound system installation services for events. Although the electronics repair business has its peak and off-peak seasons, it has generally provided him with steady work.

“This time, I received VND 10 million in livelihood capital along with a laptop. I plan to invest in sound system software, decoders, and audio measuring equipment to better support my work, save time and effort, and increase my income,” Huyen said.

The jobs undertaken by persons with disabilities may be similar to those of people without disabilities, yet they carry special significance. Such work enables PWDs to take control of their lives, regain confidence, and contribute to easing the social welfare burden.

Continued support for persons with disabilities

Nguyen Duc Dung, Head of the Social Policy Division under the Department of Health, stated that the province currently has around 65,000 persons with disabilities receiving monthly social assistance within the community, and about 500 are being cared for at the Provincial Social Work Center and other social protection facilities. In recent years, in line with the Party’s and State’s policies, persons with disabilities in the province have consistently received attention and support. In addition to monthly social allowances, the health sector has directed hospitals and medical centers across the province to provide regular and continuous healthcare services to persons with disabilities. Each year, the province also organizes delegations of persons with disabilities to participate in national and regional sports competitions.

Dung noted that current social assistance levels remain modest and cannot fully meet the daily needs of persons with disabilities. As a result, many beneficiaries have actively engaged in various forms of labor, production, and business activities.

To provide additional capital for production and business, the Disability Research and Capacity Development Centre recently coordinated with the Department of Health and the provincial Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin to provide livelihood capital support to 20 persons with disabilities and Agent Orange victims.

According to Dung, this livelihood support activity is a component of the Inclusion III-b Project, implemented in Dong Nai province by CRS, with the Disability Research and Capacity Development Centre serving as a subcontractor. In 2025 alone, 192 persons with disabilities and Agent Orange victims across the province received livelihood capital. This support serves as a strong source of encouragement, helping beneficiaries and their families access additional resources to develop their livelihoods, increase their income, and stabilize their living conditions.

Quach Thi Hong Van, a resident of Quarter 8A, Long Binh Ward, and one of the recipients of livelihood support, shared that she has a mobility impairment and a curved spine. Her most significant challenge in tailoring was having to travel frequently to outsource buttonhole stitching. This constant travel affected her health, made her work more dependent on others, and consumed valuable time. The VND 15 million support package arrived at just the right moment, allowing her to purchase a buttonhole sewing machine and a steam iron. With these tools, she could complete the entire tailoring process at home, improve productivity, and increase her income, thereby gaining better means to support herself and her family.

“Beyond that, this year I also had the opportunity to participate in an exhibition featuring exemplary livelihood models created by women with disabilities. It helped me realize that even with physical limitations, if we make the effort and are given opportunities, we can still shine and contribute value to the community,” Hong Van shared.

By Nga Son - Translated by Thu Hien, Minho