Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra signed Decision No. 2071 on October 30, outlining measures to implement a Party directive on strengthening support for people with disabilities.
The plan seeks to improve social welfare and quality of life, particularly for people facing financial hardship or unable to support themselves.
A key target is to ensure children from birth to six years old receive screening for congenital disabilities and developmental disorders, followed by appropriate early intervention.
Children and adults with disabilities will also be supported in accessing corrective surgery, rehabilitation services and assistive devices.
In education, children with disabilities will be given opportunities to attend preschool and general education programmes suited to their needs, with a focus on inclusion and development.
Adults with disabilities will receive support for vocational training, employment, livelihood loans, entrepreneurship and business activities.
The plan also requires newly built or renovated public facilities to meet accessibility standards, while improving access to public services, information technology, communications and free legal aid.
By 2045, Vietnam aims to establish a comprehensive and inclusive social welfare system that enables people with disabilities to live independently, develop their abilities and contribute to economic and social development.
To achieve these goals, the government has outlined six groups of priority measures, including raising public awareness, improving disability-related laws and policies, and strengthening prevention, early diagnosis, intervention and rehabilitation.
Other priorities include improving accessibility in public infrastructure, transport and essential services, alongside greater use of science, technology, artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
The education sector has been tasked with expanding inclusive education support centres, specialised schools and intervention programmes for children with autism and other special educational needs.
Authorities and law enforcement agencies have also been instructed to prevent and strictly punish violence, abuse, neglect, discrimination and exploitation involving people with disabilities.
