Celebration raises awareness about rights of persons with disabilities

USAID Okard and Partners celebrate the contribution of people with disabilities

Vientiane residents came together on December 3 to celebrate the contribution of people with disabilities to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The event raised awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities and mobilised support to promote their dignity and wellbeing.
This year’s event was celebrated under the theme “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: The role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world”.

Celebrating the National and International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December 2022.

This focused on the overarching theme of innovation and transformative solutions for inclusive development, covering three interactive dialogues on the following thematic topics: innovation for disability inclusive development in employment, innovation for disability inclusive development in reducing inequality, and innovation for disability inclusive development with sports as an exemplar case.
The Lao Disabled People’s Association (LDPA) organised the celebration, which was co-funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, LDPA, Disability Service Center, Lao Association of the Blind, Hands of Hope, Humanity & Inclusion Laos and the Fred Hollows Foundation. There was funding support from the Australian government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Programme (ANCP), World Education, and other organisations supporting people with disabilities.
The celebration was conducted in two sessions, with the morning session being held at the Centre for Medical Rehabilitation and the evening session taking place at Chao Anouvong Park, where thousands of people from all walks of life, with and without disabilities, assembled.
In the morning, there were several of sporting and cultural activities, including a wheelchair basketball competition, a blind football match, petanque, drawing in the dark, a braille reading contest, a sign-language contest and a talent show.
The evening event was open to the public and included exhibitions by many organisations for people with disabilities, showcasing their efforts to improve the lives and well-being of persons with disabilities in Laos. The event featured activities such as a wheelchair dance performance, singing, games, a sign language dance, K-pop dance, and panel discussions on inclusive employment.
The USAID Country Representative to Laos, Mr Michael Ronning, highlighted the importance of the contribution of people with disabilities. “USAID is proud to partner with the Government of Laos to improve the health of people with disabilities, provide economic opportunities and facilitate dialogue on policies that impact people with disabilities,” said Mr Ronning.
The celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a meaningful event to promote disability inclusive policies so that no person is left behind. The event also celebrates people with disabilities in Laos.

The event marking the National and International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update December 7, 2022)