The Law on Persons with Disabilities

The law regulates the rights and duties of persons with disabilities, as well as the responsibility of the State, families, and society towards persons with disabilities. The law defines persons with disabilities as those who have impairment of one or more parts of their body, or functional impairment, which may cause difficulties in work, daily life, and learning. The law also defines stigma towards persons with disabilities as an attitude of looking down on or paying no adequate respect to the persons for reasons of their disability. The law categorizes disability into seven types: mobility, hearing and speaking, vision, mental, intellectual, and other disabilities. The level of disability severity is also categorized into three levels: severe, moderate, and minor disabilities. The law grants persons with disabilities the right to equal participation in all social activities, independent living, and inclusion into the community. They are also entitled to exemption or reduction of financial contribution to social activities, as well as policies and support from the State, including healthcare, rehabilitation, education, vocational training, employment, and accessibility in public construction, transportation, and information technology. The law also outlines the responsibilities of the State, including ensuring annual budget to implement disability policies, carrying out programs to prevent and mitigate disabilities, and implementing social protection for persons with disabilities. The law also emphasizes the importance of mainstreaming disability policies into socio-economic development policies and plans. The law encourages the involvement of social forces and resources in supporting activities for persons with disabilities, including organizations, institutions, and individuals. It also outlines the responsibilities of organizations, institutions, and individuals in taking care of, protecting the legitimate rights and benefits of persons with disabilities. The law also emphasizes the importance of families in supporting persons with disabilities, including raising awareness of disability, preventing and mitigating disabilities, and creating good conditions for persons with disabilities to access healthcare services and exercise their rights and obligations. The law also establishes the Fund to Support Persons with Disabilities, which aims to mobilize resources for support of persons with disabilities. The law also designates April 18 as Vietnam's Disability Day and emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in disability-related areas. The law also outlines the importance of information, education, and communication on disability issues, including preventing and mitigating disability, awareness-raising, changes in attitudes and behaviors, anti-stigma, and anti-discrimination towards persons with disabilities.