DISABILITY RESEARCH AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
Newsletter
INTRODUCTION
Established on 03/12/2005, DRD is a non-governmental and non-profit
organization working for the rights of PWDs and operated by people with
disabilities (PWDs).
DRD and the community are building a support model based on the rights of
PWDs in an effort to foster equal opportunities for PWDs, encourage and
create favorable conditions for PWDs to participate fully in all activities like
other members in society.
Until now, DRD has been suppported over 3,500 PWDs in HCM City and a
network of over 30 disability groups in the southern of Vietnam. With many
diverse services of providing internships, employment, skills training,
advocacy campaign, moving assistance, scholarships, computers, assistive
devices, consultation, peer counseling, propagations, seminars and events
raising awareness on disability issues, ... DRD is rated as one of 20 nongovernmental organizations that efficiently operate in Vietnam and is the
leading one in supporting PWDs to integrate into the community.
DRD would like to send to all sponsors, partners, friends and PWDs
community the Newsletter as a channel of information sharing.
Kind Regards.
November and December 2015
In this issues
 One world for all – a
shared dream: a cheerful
festival for people with
disabilities (Page.2)
 The path to the social inte-
gration of People with disabilities is still full of challenges (Page.2)
 DRD, recipient of the 2015
Global Award (Page 3)
 Meeting of students with
disabilities (Page 3)
 People with disabilities –
Challenges and Opportunities of Employment
(Page 4)
 American Master Chef-
winner in 2012, Christine
Ha, talks with students
and people with disabilities
(Page 4)
 Training Course:
“Empowering for Women
with Disabilities” (Page 5)
 Training Course - Subject:
“ Strengthen Capacity for
Students with Disabilities” (Page 5)
 One World for All – A
shared dream (Page 6)
 Donate list 1forchange
campaign (Page 6)
 Vietnamese-American
master chef urges people
with disabilities to ‘keep
moving' (Page 7)
 USAID program benefits
people with disabilities in
VN (Page 7)
 Recruitment Advertisement:
Online Marketing Role (Page
8)
 Recruitment Advertisement:
Data Conversion (Page 8)
Photo: Mrs Tôn Nữ Thị Ninh – Ex-Vice Chairwoman of Commission of Foreign Affairs, National Assembly, spoke at the event
2.The path to the social inte-
gration of People with disabilities is still full of challenges
On November 1, 2015, Ms. Vo Thi Hoang Yen
– founder of DRD organized a meeting with
the youth group Dot Pha, the Club of women
with disabilities, the group Independent Living, the cultural club for people with hearing
impairment of HCMC and some new members of DRD.
Photo: Mrs Tôn Nữ Thị Ninh – Ex-Vice Chairwoman of Commission of Foreign Affairs, National Assembly, spoke at the event
1.One world for all – a
shared
dream:
a
cheerful festival for
people with disabilities
On the evening of December 2, 2015,
thousands of people showed up for the
“One world for all – a shared dream”
program was run by DRD. This event
belongs to a series celebrating DRD’s
10th anniversary (2005-2015) as well as
the International Day of Persons with
Disabilities (PWDs). In the afternoon,
21 handmade shops including quilling,
butterfly picture, knitted Ao Dai, woodburn frame, embroidery picture, oil
painting, etc… had also been set up at
The Youth’s Culture House (4 Pham
Ngoc Thach, District 1, HCMC) to introduce products made by people with
disabilities to the community. Besides,
the program also exhibited photos that
mark the 10-year milestone DRD has
work for PWDs and one section representing the clubs, groups and organizations of PWDs in HCMC and Lam Dong
Province.
practical activities such as: opening a
library with more than 12,000 books
about disability and social work, development web pages, forums( also containing technical law and policy ones)
with 19,000 visitors/year. DRD has also
founded PWDs Business Club, Job
Seeking Club, and Career Advice Group
for PWDs to counsel, give job seeking
skills training classes, and introduce
jobs for PWDs. Up to now there are
more than 1,000 PWDs getting careers
guidance from DRD, 266 PWDs with
stable jobs and 50 businesses participating in DRD’s PWDs recruit network.
From the four original dedicated members, DRD now has built up a network
of PWDs in the South with 35 groups
and organizations of more than 3,500
members. Besides the training programs and career guidance, DRD has
also granted “Companion scholarship”
each month for 300 students with disabilities needing financial supports, provides splints, wheelchairs, computers,
recorders for 600 poor PWDs in
HCMC… Moreover, the “Motorbike
Taxi” project has given free transportation to PWDs and the “Independent
Living” program has provied consulting
between PWDs who share similar situation, personal assistants (PAs), independent living skills training class…
DRD was officially founded on Dec 3,
2005 (under the supervision of Center
of Social Work Practice, HCMC Open
University ) with four members, all
PWDs. In their efforts to change society’s perception of PWDs, DRD operated >> Read more
Activities
During the meeting, Ms. Hoang Yen shared
the positive changes related to people with
disabilities (PWDs) in Vietnam as the government recently established a National Commission on Disability. Vietnam also signed
the International Convention on Rights of
PWDs as well as the Law on PWDs. All these
elements allow a better attention and enforcement as before. However, nongovernmental organizations and non-profits
are facing a reduction of funding to implement activities in favor of vulnerable groups,
including PWDs. Because of that, PWDs will
have to work harder to increase their recognition and have more skills to integrate into
society.
Overview of the meeting
According to a survey of almost 1,800 public
buildings in District 1, District 3 and District
10 of HCMC made by DRD in 2012, only 78 of
these facilities were adapted and accessible
for PWDs. As you can see, the lack of suitable
and accessible living spaces affects a lot their
integration. DRD hopes that the community
can understand, share and support the organization to have more suitable activities
places for PWDs. >>Read more
2
4. Meeting of students with disabilities
In the morning of the 19th December 2015, the team for the project
“support for students with disabilities (SWDs) organized a meeting
with 20 participants, including
SWDs and volunteers from the
different universities and colleges
in HCMC. The meeting took place
at Disability Research and Capacity
Development
center–
The singing group Life is Beautiful receiving its award
3.DRD, recipient of the
2015 Global Award
DRD, she has contributed to improve the
lives of people with disabilities through
capacity building activities and the organiOn November 14, 2015 at the Canary Club zation of communication campaigns to
Hall of Tan Tao University, the Disability
change the perception of society on issues
Research and Capacity Development Cen- related to disabilities. The singer Thuy Tien
ter (DRD) has the honor to receive the and the group Life is Beautiful won a Muprestigious Global Award funded by Pro- sic award thanks to their efforts to overDRD. The aim of the meeting was
to introduce the project of support
for SWDs and understand the
needs of the participants to make
the activities suitable for them.
There was also a lively discussion about aims and ideas for the
upcoming projects, planning the
first 6 months of 2016: trainings
for organizational skills, information about policies and laws
for PWDs, building competence
for independent living… In the
following there will be more activities for SWDs for connection and
development of competences.
>> Read more
fessor Bui Duy Tam and the Twinning Com- come their difficulties to positively contribmittee between San Francisco – USA and ute to change the image that community
HCMC. The first prize was awarded in 2011
has about disability. Life is Beautiful is the
with the purpose to honor organizations
first and unique singing group of people
and Vietnamese or American citizens who with disabilities in Vietnam. They did not
made important contributions to the Viet- follow a professional training but it is
namese community. After two successful through their passion, effort and love as
organizations in 2011 and 2013, this year well as the tutoring of other singers, the
the award honored 11 individuals and orgroup gradually won the hearts of the maganizations who achieved special efforts in
jority of the spectators. In addition to perthe fields of science, art, culture, educa- forming at the club Life is Beautiful, the
tion, medicine, architecture and social group also performed in several universiactivities.
ties in HCMC, in industrial areas, in charity
Mrs. Vo Thi Hoang Yen – Founder and Di- programs to inspire many people. The US
rector of the Disability Research and Ca- Consulate invited the group to sing the
pacity Development Center (DRD) received national anthem of Vietnam for the 20th
the Humanitarian Award for her work in anniversary of the establishment of diplofavor of people with disabilities in Vi- matic relationship between Vietnam and
etnam. During the past 10 years, with the United States. >> Read more
Activities
3
6. American Master
Chef-winner in 2012,
Christine Ha, talks
with students and
people with disabilities
Mrs. Kieu Dung – HR advisor for Jia Hsin Cie
have an employment network. But
when PWDs came to see us, they
shared their fears about this issue. So
we decided to write a project and
searched for support. The Embassy of
Ireland funded the project. During the
Last November 18, 2015, the Disability implementation of the project, DRD
Research and Capacity Development realized that help PWDs to find a job
Center (DRD) organized a workshop was one of our mission.”
entitled “People with disabilities According to Mr. Le Huu Thuong (in
(PWDs) – Challenges and Opportuni- charge of the employment network of
ties of Employment” at Ramana Hotel, DRD), in addition of a low education
323 Le Van Sy, District 3, HCMC.
level, the lack of confidence and a senThe purpose of this workshop was to timent of guilt are also causing difficulintroduce the role of job centers re- ties for PWDs to find a job. The level
garding employment opportunities for and type of disability are also a limitapeople with disabilities, to listen the tion for opportunities in the choice of a
sharing of businesses about hiring peo- career. It is really more difficult for a
ple with disabilities and to learn more person with a weakened hand, a perabout the role of PWDs in employment son with visual or hearing impairment… to find a job than a person with
issues.
weakened legs. Besides, the issue of
The participants were representatives infrastructure such as not adapted
from job centers of South Vietnam, or- transport or environment in the workganizations of people with disabilities place also created obstacles for PWDs
of the South, representatives of busi- to travel and maintain long-term jobs. A
nesses employing PWDs through DRD normal training course lasts only 3
network, people with disabilities and months or 6 months don’t bring effecorganizations supporting PWDs in tive results to PWDs or unsuitable skills
HCMC, clubs of businesses managed regarding the needs of employers.
by PWDs in HCMC.
>> Read more
Opening the workshop, Ms Luu Thi
Anh Loan (Director of DRD) shared
that: “At the beginning, DRD didn’t
5.People with disabilities
– Challenges and Opportunities of Employment
Activities
On the morning of the 17th December 2015, nearly 200 people,
including people with disabilities
(PWDs), volunteers, students,
representatives of the US Consulate and the staff of Disability Research and Capacity Development (DRD), came to Hoa Sen
University (8 Nguyen Van Trang,
district 1)to meet and listen to
Christine Ha – Winner of the
American Master Chef TV-Show
in 2012. This event was organized by DRD and the Hoa Sen
University.
Christine Ha let us know: “I lost
my vision as a studentand every
day I had to draw on my whole
strength to adapt to the loss.
Withthe support of organizations
like DRD, in the US, I learned to
live independently.”
>> Read more
4
8. Training Course Subject: “ Strengthen Capacity for Students with Disabilities”
On 26 and 27 Dec 2015, Disability Research & Capacity Develop-
ment
(DRD)
held
a
training
course which was financed by
Settle International Foundation
for members of both Chung Suc
Club ( Dong Thap University) and
Students with Disabilities Club
(Can Tho University) with the topic: “ Strengthen Capacity for Students with Disabilities” at Cong
Doan Hotel (Can Tho City).
This course was aimed to help
these 2 clubs identify not only
their strengths and weaknesses
but also supporting sources for
development as well as how to
draw up a worked-out strategy for
the next year 2016. The speaker
was Mr. Nguyen Quoc Giang,
founder of Chung Suc Club and a
postgraduate student of Social
Service in Philippines.
>> Read more
Activities
Participants joining Yoga class for PWD
7. Training Course:
“Empowering for Women with Disabilities”
In order to create opportunities for
women with disabilities to improve their
skills, from then on helping them be
able to participate in activities equally
like other members of society, DRD
organized
the
training
course:
“Empowering for Women With Disabilities” (WWDs) nfrom Dec 12 to Dec 10,
2015 (three days) in Ho Chi Minh City.
This program was sponsored by
USAID and got technical supports from
MIUSA organization.
This training course was specifically
designed for 17 young women with
various types of disabilities: visual impairment, hearing impairment, hearing
loss and mobility impairment. Under
the instruction of Ms. Luu Thi Anh Loan
(Director of DRD) and participants discussed about topics such as: leadership of WWD, supportive policies for
people with disabilities (PWDs), as well
as experienced leisure activities that
WWDs had never done like Yoga and
bowling.
Club (Helping street children), guest of
the course, talked about difficulties
women have to face as a leader of a
group. She said: “First and foremost
social workers need to have the dedication and time for the kids, together
with the group carefully plan to help
them by the best mean. Always learn
from your co-workers, from the street
children, from short and long-termed
courses to expand your knowledge and
life experiences. As a leader you have
to deeply listen and prove your words
with specific actions. Women have our
own distinct advantages, so make use
of them wisely. ”The participants then
had time to interview and learn from
Ms. Hong Loan’s experiences. Nguyen
Thi Tam, a student with visual impairment shared:” Listening to the guests’
talks, I realized that I myself have leadership potentials, but to do well I need
to learn and work harder. I’ll try my
best”.
After three days of training course,
DRD has received many more feedbacks from the participants, as well as
suggestions to organize more practical
activities for WWDs. DRD sincerely
thanks MIUSA organization and the
participants for helping and actively
On morning Dec 8, Ms. Luong Hong joining this training course.
Loan, Head of Cay Mai Social Work
>>Read more
5
List of donrs
for 1forchange campaign
in November & December,
2015
1. Mr and Mrs Son and Huong (Switzerland) —580,000 VNĐ
2. Pham Hung — 100,000 VNĐ
3. Le Duy Linh —2,250,000 VNĐ
4. Đào Hồng Châu—13,000,000 VNĐ
5. Guest —2SGD
6. Guest —5AUD
7. Guest —10EUR
8. Guest —74USD
9. Guest in the event 2/12 —7,582,500
VNĐ
Artists show performance
9.One World for All – A
shared dream
On the 2/12/2015, DRD organized the
event “One World for All – A shared
dream” in the cause of the United Nations’ international day for people with
disabilities (PWDs) – and celebrated
the tenth years of DRD.
The event took place at the Youth Cultural House from 4pm to 10pm. There
were booths selling products handcrafted by PWDs and information about the
activities of PWDs in HCMC and the
provinces. In the evening, the music
show was designed towards the motto
“One World for All”, as singers with and
without disabilities performed together,
showing that PWDs are a part of our
community and have talents to contribute to society. The show acts – like the
Flash mob or Hip hop performed vividly
by youths with disabilities – convinced
the audience.
10. Guest in the
5,497,000 VNĐ
event
2/12 —
confident and organize as well as participate in social activities.
11. Ms. Phuong Thao and her friends
—2,000,000 VNĐ
The event attracted more than 1,400
visitors, amongst them PWDs, university students as well as representatives
of local and foreign NGOs like
UNICEF, ILO or EMW. Furthermore,
there were companies as well as individuals supporting the event, like the
White Lion Communications Ltd., the
Minh Tan Sound Light Equipment Ltd.,
the Anh Kim Service – Advertising and
Designing Ltd., the DRAV Studio Version – for the stage effects: the music
school MPU, the singing business
group, MC Thanh Bạch, artist Thanh
Thuỷ, and the singers Võ Hạ Trâm,
Ngọc Mai, Hà Chương, Thế Vinh, Hà
Văn Đông and many other singers.
12. Ms. Đo Thi Thanh Ha —2,000,000
VNĐ
“One World for All – A shared dream”
was organized to the policy of the community of advisors who supported DRD
in the 10th years, so that DRD could
organize the activities for PWDs.
These activities helped PWDs to see
DRD also shared their “dream” with the that there are more opportunities for
PWDs to integrate into society even
community. A dream that DRD and
better. This motivates DRD to have
many PWDs desire to build a cultural
more projects and activities in the fucenter where PWDs can be selfture. >> Read more
1forchange campaign
13. Ms. Tran Trinh Hang—500,000
VNĐ
14. Ms. Trâm—200,000 VNĐ
15. Doctor Tuyet
VNĐ
Minh—5,000,000
16. Ms Thanh Tu —800,000 VNĐ
17. Mr. Truong Thanh Quoc—50,000
VNĐ
18. Ms. Hue Lien—150,000 VNĐ
19. Ms. Thuan—150,000 VNĐ
20. Ms. Thanh Nhung—100 USD
21. Ms. Minh Cầm—3,000,000 VNĐ
22. Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong—300,000
VNĐ
23. Youth with disability —700,000
VNĐ
24. Women with disability of HCM club
—615,000 VNĐ
25. Mr. Nguyen Đuc Đai Duong –
630,000 VNĐ
26. Artist Buu Phung—7 USD and
360,000 VNĐ
27. Content Anpha freelance group—
500,000 VNĐ
6
2.USAID
programme
benefits
people with disabilities in VN
Thousands of people with disabilities in Viet Nam are enjoying
better health and education,
thanks to the United States
Agency for International Development's (USAID) persons with
disabilities support programme.
The three-year programme,
launched in 2012, focuses on
direct assistance and building
the capacity of local governments and local NGOs to provide a sustainable network of
medical, education and employment services for persons with
disabilities in eight provinces and
cities.
"This part of our broader disabilities assistance portfolio has
been vital to our continuing commitment to supporting persons
with disabilities in Viet Nam,"
USAID Mission Director Joakim
Parker said.
Working with the Vietnamese
departments of labour, invalids,
and social affairs, education and
training, and health in these
provinces and cities, the programme has also built the longterm capacity of more than 4,700
health providers, educators, employers and social workers
through training that helps them
adequately address the needs of
people with disabilities in their
communities.
The accomplishments of the cooperation under the programme
were the subject of a recent
workshop attended by more than
100 participants, including representatives from all provinces
where the project provides assistance, and representatives from
the ministries of labour, invalids
and social affairs and health.
>>Read more
News
Motivational: Christine Ha, a vision-impaired American-Vietnamese woman who won the reality show US MasterChef
in 2012, shared her inspiring personal story with young people in HCM City yesterday. — Photo courtesy of DRD
1.VietnameseAmerican master chef
urges people with disabilities to ‘keep moving'
disorder of nerve tissues.
Speaking at a talk show organised
by the Disabilities Research and Capacity Development Centre in HCM
City and Hoa Sen University, she
said: "Keep moving forward with your
life and remember that you have the
strength to achieve what you want.
away when she was just 14.
Unable to see or walk, it was a traumatic time for her, she said.
Listening to audio books helped her
escape boredom and develop a passion for literature, which motivated
Christine Ha (Ha Huyen Tran), a vi- her to get a master's degree in creasion-impaired woman who won the tive writing.
2012 US MasterChef contest, yester- She did not cook anything until she
day motivated young Vietnamese, went to college. Her love for cooking
especially those with disabilities, to increased when she saw the joy othstand up and move ahead to achieve er people who ate her food exsuccess in life when faced with prob- pressed. She had to learn cooking by
lems and upheaval.
herself since her mother had passed
"Both cooking and writing are a way
to create something and share myself with other people," she said.
Thanks to organisations in the US
like the centre, she learnt skills for
independent living including basic
"If you really believe in yourself, you cooking skills. Through them, she
can reach the stars."
also went to university and learnt
The Vietnamese-American chef from how to use technology.
Texas lost her sight when she was >>Read more
20 to neuromyelitis optica, a chronic
7
1. Recruitment Advertisement: Online
Marketing Role
tionfrom TNHH DiCentral Vietnam.
Experience in Data Mapping is not compulsory, but
would be an advantage.
Company Name: Sanco Fr eight
Logical thinking and good data analysis.
Address of workplace: 23B Ton Duc Thang, Quận 1,
Tp. HCM
Excellent English language skills, especially in
speaking and writing
Vacancy number: 1-2 (male/female)
Ability to work in a team.
Working hours: Office hour s
Capable in working with Microsoft Windows and
Office.
Required skills:
University degree in one of the following subjects:
Electronic Commerce, Marketing, Communication,
Public Relations, Business Administration
Enthusiasm and creativity
Ability to work as part of a team
IT college degree or higher
Work description:
Reading and analyzing technical parameters, finding mistakes
Self-motivated, ability to work under pressure.
Checking/updating/correcting Data Maps within
stated timeframes.
Capable in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Powerpoint, Excel).
Controlling the data conversion, so that it fulfills
the demands
Knowledge about marketing and programming
Knowledge and capability HTML and Search Engine
Optimization is an advantage
Working in a team and managing projects if necessary, helping customers to convert data, to a high
quality and to the customer's satisfaction.
Basic level in spoken and written English, use of application software or online marketing in English
Getting access to resources when allowed by the
firm, to update to the latest technology.
Work description: Website management maximizing
SEO, development of online advertisements aligned
with the online marketing strategy of the employer.
Salary and support: Will be agr eed, r elative to the education and experience. The salary is between 4-8 million per month, plus bonus money if the established
aims are met and exceeded
Work environment: Wor kplace on 2nd or 3rd floor.
Working from home is possible if the employee is
suited to the role, but accessibility is not possible.
Application deadline: 15/01/2016
Note:
A NDA (non-disclosure agreement) has to be
signed and followed in order to get access to the
data sources for the project
The employee will need to take instructions and
perform their work related duties as instructed by
the team leader or project manager.
Salary: Upon agr eement
Work environment: lift available, suitable for people with crutches or wheelchairs
Application deadline: 30/1/2016
2. Recruitment Advertisement: Data Con- Contact:
version
Company name: TNHH DiCentr al Vietnam
Address of workplace: 139 Pasteur , War d 6, Distr ict 3,
HCMC
Vacancy number: 2 people (pr imar ily male)
Working hours: shift wor k and flexible hour s
(sometimes night shifts when having American or European customers)
Required skills:
Employment section – Disability Research and Capacity Development (DRD)
Address: 311K8 Str eet 7, Resettlement Thu Thiem, An
Phu Ward, District 2, HCMC
Phone number: (08) 62 67 99 22, pr ess 113 for Ms. Tu
Quyen or 114 for Ms. Rat
Email: vieclam@drdvietnam.com
Note: For getting the best infor mation, you should post
your questions directly on the DRD website: drdvietnam.org. We don’t give support or answers on other forums.
IT knowledge and relevant skills abilities as per direc-
Employment for PWD
8
Liên hệ us:
Contact
Disability
Mọi
chi tiếtResearch
vui lòng liên
and
hệ:Capacity Development (DRD)
311K8 Street 7, Khu tai dinh cu Thu Thiem, An Phu Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Trung tâm khuyết tật và phát triển
311K8
Tel:
(08)
Đường
626799
số11—
7, KTĐC
626799
Thủ22
Thiêm, An Phú, Quận 2, Tp. HCM
Điện (08)
Fax:
thoại:626799
(08) 626799
33
11— 626799 22
Fax: (08)
Email:
info@drdvietnam.com
626799 33
Email: info@drdvietnam.com
Website:
www.drdvietnam.org
Website: www.drdvietnam.org