Education & Times – On the morning of August 6, 2021, the online talk “People with Disabilities Accessible Cities: Built Environment and Transport” was held by the Australian Alumni under the Aus4Skills program.
Online talk: “People with Disabilities Accessible Cities: Built Environment and Transport”
The participants include: the Australian alumni who are people with disabilities (PWDs), representatives of PWDs associations, representatives of domestic and international NGOs, and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam. Ms. Duong Thi Van, Chairwoman of the Hanoi Association of People with Disabilities (DP Hanoi), Vice President of the Vietnam Federation on Disability (VFD), shared DP Hanoi’s perspective about accessibility. Mr. Huynh Huu Canh, Alumnus of Flinders University (Australia), Officer of the Social Protection Center of Kien Giang Province shared a visually impaired person’s practical experience of living in the southern province.
Online talk on “People with Disabilities Accessible Cities: Built Environment and Transport” attracted many experts.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Michael Sadlon, Aus4Skills Program Director said: “Support for people with disabilities is one of priorities of the Australian Government, and Aus4Skills has been carrying out various initiatives to support Vietnam in this area. A key initiative is support to the Australian Alumni Disability Inclusion Professional Group, which is coordinated by Aus4Skills.”
The theme “People with Disabilities Accessible Cities: Built Environment and Transport” was discussed at a time when everyone’s movement being restricted by Covid-19. Yet PWDs experience accessibility challenges every day in our cities. Therefore, activities like seminars play an important role in raising awareness and advocacy for change and promoting the spirit of the City for everyone – because the issues discussed also impact the elderly and parents with young children.
Dr. Joanne Webber, Australian, Director of Disability Inclusion PTY LTD, Independent Consultant in Disability Inclusive Development, shared Australia’s experience in policy advocacy for accessible cities.
Dr. Vo Thi Hoang Yen, Founder and Director of the Disability Research & Capacity Development (DRD), talked about the accessibility of buildings in the city under the theme “City of hopes“. These are the views of PWDs on the accessibility of their cities of residence, thereby voicing their expectations, to the community and policy makers, for the improved accessibility of cities.
The Alumni of the Disability Inclusion Professional Group commented on the need to promote the implementation of Australia-Vietnam policy commitments to ensure disability inclusion; to strengthen linkages between the Alumni of the Disability Inclusion Professional Group and Australian PWDs Organisations. The Alumni of the Disability Inclusion Professional Group announced its further activities to promote an PWDs-accessible environment in Vietnam, including the upcoming talk on “Accessible Cities 2: Accessible Services for PWDs”.
According to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, the PWDs account for 7% of Vietnam’s population. In order to improve accessibility and thereby improve the quality of life for PWDs in Vietnam, the Aus4Skills program has actively implemented many activities to support PWDs, which includes the activities of the Alumni of the Disability Inclusion Professional Group.
The program has promoted the PWDs in Vietnam’s accessibility to facilities; assistive technology; education; job opportunities; and health care. The extensive membership network of Australian alumni both with and without disability share the same goal of advancing the Australia-Vietnam’s policy commitments on disability inclusion. Partnerships with PWDs Organisations in both Vietnam and Australia to develop basic principles for disability inclusion efforts have been established.
Source: Ha An – Education & Times
