Accessibility for All

Discussion at the event focused on issues on traffic accessibility, construction projects, information technology and universal access. On this occasion, "Go with D. Map" campaign and competition were launched. D. Map is a smartphone application built on iOS and Android platforms and web version with the support from UNDP, USAID and technical assistance from Hoa Sen University. With the message "No one left behind", D. Map is expected to become a useful information channel.

For people with disabilities: D. Map is a database of accessibility-related information of public places. This information is especially important for people with disabilities, the elderly, temporarily-disabled persons, etc. when they plan their daily trips and traveling.

For people without disabilities: D. Map is an opportunity to express their interest and contribute to social change. The App will help community members to understand the challenges faced by people with disabilities in their daily activities and the necessity of accessible environment for the improvement of quality of life of people with disabilities in Vietnam.

Joining the campaign, users will help D. Map increase the number of public locations updated nationwide. In addition, users also can be the winner of a trip (3 days 2 nights) to Singapore for 2 persons and many other valued gifts. Prizes are calculated on the user's accumulated points and user's action during the competition period – April 11th, 2019 to November 15th, 2019. The award will be announced on 1 December 2019

At the event, People's Teacher, Doctor Dang Huynh Mai, President of the Viet Nam Federation on Disability and former Vice Minister of Education and Training, said the Party and State cared about people with disabilities and this is reflected by Laws, Decrees and circulars. The right to traffic accessibility of people with disabilities is prioritized. "We organized a workshop on airline accessibility for people with disabilities in Da Nang in 2016. Right after that, people with disabilities have access to Viet Nam Airline and all airports across Viet Nam without having to sign "exemption from responsibility form". Deaf people are provided with guide to safety in sign language in all Viet Nam Airline's flights. Ministry of Transport; Viet Nam Aviation and many airline service companies have listened to the needs and aspiration of people with disabilities and help them exercise their rights. These are some progress of Viet Nam in implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities".

Addressing the launch, UNDP Resident Representative Caitlin Wiesen stressed the need to ensure that technology serves everyone, especially people with disabilities. She called on everyone to help review public places through "Go with D.Map" app. "With support from all of you, D.Map can help empower persons with disabilities so they can be more independent, have greater mobility and accessibility, enabling them to participate more fully in society and make their own choices on how they want to lead their lives," Ms Caitlin Wiesen said.

Additional Information:

Vietnamese Disability Day has been officially recognized as 18th of April according to the Ordinance on Disabled of 1998 and the Disability Act of 2010. 18th of April is considered to be the day when organizations for people with disabilities, social organizations, groups, individuals have events and activities to celebrate the day. Many activities in Vietnamese Disability Day include cultural – sports exchange, gifts giving, advisory and job recruitment, social skills advisory, guide to health protection and care, free diseases diagnosis,... for the disabled.