Open the "way" for the disabled

Working to assert themselves and integrate into society is the aspiration of most people with disabilities (PWDs) who are still able to work. However, not everyone has the opportunity to overcome their inferiority complex and realize their dreams. By making efforts to find new directions, especially supporting access to and use of technology, equipping PWDs with knowledge in the digital age, all levels, sectors, and many organizations, units, and businesses are creating opportunities for PWDs to integrate into life, have jobs, prove their worth, and contribute to society.

Báo Quảng Ninh•17/04/2025

Digital transformation - New development opportunities

Both severely disabled, and needing to use wheelchairs and prosthetic legs to get around, Vu Thi Thang and Nguyen Van Thien, a couple in Trieu Khe area, Hong Phong ward, Dong Trieu city, had a hard time making a living by selling groceries. Every day, they relied on each other to go to the market to sell some groceries, make ends meet and raise their two children.

Since 2024, with the support and guidance of the Dong Trieu Disabled Club, Ms. Thang and Mr. Thien have participated in online sales skills classes. They also received direct consultation, product testing experience to evaluate quality and choose to sell products they trust through social media channels. This job is suitable for disabled people who have difficulty traveling like them because just sitting at home, Ms. Thang and Mr. Thien can still take pictures, sell products or send pictures directly to customers, helping customers choose quickly without wasting time and effort. For a long time, the phone was only used to listen, call and view information, but now it has become an indispensable item, effectively supporting them in taking pictures, posting articles, posting videos introducing products and contacting customers through Zalo and Facebook software.

Ms. Thang and Mr. Thien make videos and livestream to sell products on social networks.

Ms. Thang excitedly shared: Since I started selling online, my income has increased by 3 to 5 million VND/month. Before selling online, I mainly sold traditional goods and a few small groceries. Now, thanks to technology and the internet, I can combine selling at home, at the market and to online customers without having to go far.

Ms. Thang and Mr. Thien's customers are now not only in the neighboring area but also in and outside the province. Therefore, the couple has gradually become accustomed to online sales, packing and shipping to customers. Due to health and mobility limitations, they receive enthusiastic support from family and relatives when they need to transport goods.

“Since having the opportunity to sell online, I have found that this job not only creates convenience and increases income for my family, but I also feel better every day, know how to live positively, love more, and be more confident. I am very happy that I have lived as a valuable person and found the right direction” - Ms. Thang confided to us happily and optimistically.

Currently, the Dong Trieu Disabled Club has initially had 4 members participating in online sales. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Yen, the Club President, is also extremely dedicated to supporting the Club members, directly experiencing, learning and guiding and training members to get acquainted with the new job - online sales.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Yen, Head of Dong Trieu Disabled People's Club, conducts online sales livestream to guide and support members to get used to new jobs on social media.

Ms. Yen shared: Seeing the benefits of technology and digital transformation, our club actively learned about online sales activities. When the Vietnam Association of People with Disabilities cooperated with Bell Home Company to implement a program to create job opportunities for people with disabilities through online sales, the club actively participated, supported and guided members in their studies. Through completely free Zoom lessons, members were inspired and gained knowledge about online sales; at the same time, they learned about products and made suitable choices to participate in sales. Such activities have helped many club members to no longer have negative thoughts, live happily, love life and find suitable jobs.

Thanks to digital transformation, PWDs in the province are gradually participating in social activities, integrating into the community more conveniently and fully. With the help of relatives and clubs and organizations, many PWDs have gradually implemented some online services such as: Online banking, searching for online job opportunities, online shopping, connecting with friends and relatives, etc.

Mr. Lanh The Vinh, Chairman of the Provincial Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities and Handicapped, said: From 2024 to now, the Vietnam Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities and Handicapped has organized a free online sales training program for people with disabilities. In the province, we have also organized 3 training courses for members to participate in. This is a new and convenient direction for people with disabilities to improve their knowledge and skills, learn a trade, and open up opportunities to find new jobs.

Open the "door" of knowledge

In order for PWDs to gradually find jobs and advance in life, equipping them with knowledge and skills is extremely important. Among them, children with disabilities always face the most disadvantages, especially in the field of accessto education . Therefore, for children with disabilities, having access to knowledge and going to school will create great opportunities for them to integrate into life.

Based on this reality, the program "Supporting children with disabilities to go to school" launched by the Vietnam Fund for Children with Disabilities and the Youth Union of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2024 aims to call on organizations and philanthropists nationwide to join hands to support resources to realize the dream of going to school of 1,000 children with disabilities in difficult circumstances, with the ability and desire to go to school in 10 mountainous border provinces , including Quang Ninh , to realize the dream of going to school in the new school year 2024-2025.

Representatives of the Vietnam Association for the Relief of Disabled Children and the Provincial Association for the Protection of the Disabled and Handicapped visited and presented gifts to Do Hong Phong (Nam village, Van Ninh commune, Mong Cai city), a student with severe mental disabilities and a family with extremely difficult circumstances, in the program "Supporting disabled children to go to school".

In Quang Ninh, the program awarded 100 scholarships, each worth VND 2.1 million (including gifts and cash) to disadvantaged children with disabilities in 2024. In 2025, the program is expected to continue awarding scholarships to 100 disadvantaged children with disabilities from May to July, ensuring that before entering the new school year 2025-2026, they will have better conditions to go to school. The total value of 100 gifts is VND 410 million.

This is an annual program that provides continuous, long-term support for children with disabilities from the time they start school until they are ready to learn a trade and become self-sufficient in the future. This timely support and assistance will help open the door to knowledge for children with disabilities in difficult circumstances, helping them realize their dreams and assert themselves in the future.

Along with that, the Provincial Association for the Protection of the Disabled and the Disabled is making efforts to connect organizations, units, philanthropists, and businesses to promote job creation, pay attention to vocational training, create opportunities for children with disabilities to access learning opportunities, especially applying technology and digital platforms to help people with disabilities actively participate in economic development and improve their lives.

In the first quarter of 2025, the Provincial Association for the Support of People with Disabilities and Disabled People coordinated with units to donate 577 Tet gifts worth 503.6 million VND; connected and supported the construction of 1 house for people with disabilities worth 60 million VND; sponsored 1 student in Mong Cai...

In the first quarter of 2025, the Association has connected and coordinated to support the construction of 1 house for the disabled worth 60 million VND; sponsored 1 student in Mong Cai; presented 577 Tet gifts worth 503.6 million VND. Also on the occasion of the Disabled Day on April 18, the Association organized the presentation of gifts to 437 disabled people and disadvantaged people worth 227.5 million VND. At the "Connecting Hands of Love" ceremony, it is expected to present 20 gifts worth 42 million VND... to the disabled in the province.

“Spreading love, lighting up faith” – This is the theme that runs through the association’s activities and is also our belief, with the desire to create more opportunities, meaningful and practical work, opening up brighter paths for PWDs, especially young PWDs who still have a future ahead of them” – Mr. Lanh The Vinh, Chairman of the Provincial Association for the Protection of PWDs and Disabled People, emphasized.

Khanh Dan

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/mo-loi-di-cho-nguoi-khuet-tat-3353534.html