5.1 Profile of Governmental Organizations and Public Facilitates for Persons with Disabilities

This Ministry is responsible for the majority of services regarding prosthetic and orthotic services, especially those that target civilians. These services are delivered through the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation, which is a department of the MOH and through the Provincial Health Directorates, which is responsible for provincial and district hospitals.

The MLSW has a centralized Department of War Veterans and Social Welfare. This department has the responsibility to control, manage and fund the prosthetic center at Ban Keun in Thoulakhom District, and Provincial Labor Departments. The department is in charge of supporting disabled people, including war veterans at the grass roots level, and 11 Disabled Villages set up to take care of disabled war veterans.

There are seven major activities which are implemented under the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare and the National Committee of Disabled People; - Education Currently, PWD have been studying in schools, vocational schools and University with the support of the LDPA. There are many subjects in school such as: Computing, Management, Sign language, Accounting and English. - Vocational Training LDPA has encouraged and promoted PWD for vocational training for short and long terms, such as : tailoring, traditional massage, paper making from banana leaves, handicrafts, electronic maintenance, farming, etc. - Barrier-free Access LDPA has been making the corridors, toilets, etc. of private and public institutions accessible. - Establishment of a Strong Policy Organizing domestic conferences and participating in overseas (Asia-Pacific) conferences to learn how to become good leaders. - Social Processing LDPA has been supporting the sports sector, such as : Basketball tricycle, badminton, table tennis, swimming, etc. One area is entertainment such as music, songs for the blind and folk songs. All the sports and entertainment teams are performing on the International Day of Disabled Persons and the festival through out the LDPA. - Advertising and Training LDPA has been advertising on television, radio, newspapers, magazines and brochures to talk about rehabilitation and the development PWD. Sign language and English are communication tools for the deaf and concerned organizations. Coordination and Cooperation LDPA is coordinating and cooperating well with private and public enterprises, as well as cooperating with UNDP in domestically and oversea, such as : Joint Development Center, Embassies, JICA, HDR, SRF, HI, TIM, COPE, DPI, ADDP, POSIVA, ASHAHISHIMBUN, NIPPON, PVK, TELECOM-LAO, QUEST COLLECT. POWER, an organization from England has been the main promoter for LDPA. - Future plans of the association : Improve and adjust regulations and executives of LDPA Prepare to be a member of DPI Develop disabled people Develop vocational education at the grass roots level Expand paper-making and sewing projects to 2 provinces in Vientiane and Bolikhamsay.

This Association has paid special attention to disabled women and children to provide full opportunities to participate in the same activities as their peers. It has the right to seek funding from local administrators and foreign sources. All of its activity is under the assistance and guidance of Lao NCDP. Collaborate with LDPA and Lao Women's Union to help Lao disabled women and children in Vientiane Prefecture. Start sewing vocational training in one area of Vientiane Prefecture with 10-12 disabled women. Work with the NCMR to set up vocational training courses in sewing, silk and mat weaving. Search for funds to construct a school for vocational training for disabled people, especially disabled women and children. Collaborate with concerned parties to provide the necessary conditions for helping disabled children attend school. Collaborate with concerned parties to share responsibilities for recruiting trained disabled people to work in their organizations and appropriate production units.

This Ministry is responsible for promoting the implementation and gradual development of rehabilitation in the Lao PDR according to Party and Government policy. The original purpose of the center was to manufacture and fit amputees with leather and later plastic resin prostheses. The center presently has 14 sections. Some of the main sections are: medical rehabilitation, an orthopedic surgical operation section, production and assembly of orthopedic prostheses and all types of orthoses, a staff training section, vocational training for disabled people, and a special school for children who are deaf and blind.

The NCDP has worked to support the development of occupations for persons with disabilities and self-help initiatives. The NCDP also helps build the capacity of the Lao Disabled People's Association (LDPA) and Lao Handicapped Women and Children's Association (LHWCA)

The NCHP was organized following the signing of the Proclamation of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons by the Lao Government to coordinate efforts to promote full participation of disabled Laotians and to provide a bridge between the two Ministries and a channel for exchanging information.