Make public services easier for people with disabilities

***Chairman of Hanoi Association for Relief of Disabled Children Nguyen Kim Hoang speaks Photo: Phuong Anh***

This workshop is one of the meaningful activities of the "Step Forward" Project, with the Hanoi Association for the Relief of Children with Disabilities as the Project Owner (according to Decision No. 4700/QD-UBND dated October 20, 2020 of the Hanoi People's Committee, under the sponsorship of Blue Dragon Children's Foundation International).

Speaking at the program, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for the Relief of Disabled Children, President of the Hanoi Association for the Relief of Disabled Children Nguyen Kim Hoang - Head of the Management Board of the "Step Forward" project emphasized: Over the past 5 years, the Step Forward project sponsored by the Representative Office in Vietnam of the Blue Dragon International Organization, the Hanoi Association for the Relief of Disabled Children is the project owner - has contributed to investing in disabled children and children in special circumstances living in some communes and wards in the capital.

**Interactive activities at the Workshop. Photo: Phuong Anh**

Through the discussions, many opinions said that it is necessary to encourage and support children with disabilities and children in special circumstances to go to school, learn a trade, go to work and participate in appropriate social services for their own development. Not only do children with disabilities need attention, but their families also need to be advised on livelihood, legal and psychological issues to become an important resource in caring for and educating their children.

Along with that, many experts, managers, and educators also expressed their opinions: To ensure the sustainable and stable integration of people with disabilities and children with disabilities into the community, it is necessary to support the provision of health care services for children with disabilities, including providing proper nutrition, purchasing health insurance and personal insurance, and investing in medical examination and treatment costs for children with disabilities. In particular, to reduce barriers and help people with disabilities have more complete access to public services, it requires the cooperation of the whole society, from changing awareness, improving infrastructure to perfecting legal policies and implementing specific support solutions.