Ms. Metta Thippawong, co-founder of the Disability Mainstreaming Advisory Service (DMAS), representing the Lao OPDs network of Lao PDR in the 15th CoSP
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Ms. Metta Thippawong, co-founder of the Disability Mainstreaming Advisory Service (DMAS), representing the Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) network of Lao PDR in the General Debate.
Ms. Metta Thippawong, co-founder of the Disability Mainstreaming Advisory Service (DMAS), representing the Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) network of Lao PDR made her statement yesterday in the opening session of the General Debate, which was attended by the UN Secretary General and other dignitaries. It was a proud moment for OPDs from Lao PDR, as DMAS represented the voice of OPD network at the 15th session of the Conference of the State Parties (CoSP) and was one of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) selected to speak during the General Debate.
Metta’s statement was focused on economic empowerment and entrepreneurship for persons with disabilities, in which she emphasized the importance of developing a disaggregated national database on the employment of persons with disabilities and public-private partnership in creating decent and full employment for persons with disabilities. Metta also emphasized the Importance of reasonable accommodations, digital access, and access to assistive technology.
Last but not the least, Metta skillfully highlighted the importance of ‘legal empowerment’ as a prerequisite for ‘economic empowerment,’ so that persons with disabilities, who are mostly employed in informal sectors, have access to legal rights, property rights, and justice.
Disability Mainstreaming Advisory Service (DMAS) is participating in the 15th Session of the Conference of the State Parties (CoSP) 2022
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Lao OPD representatives with Lao Ambassador to the UN.
From 14-16 June, the Disability Mainstreaming Advisory Service (DMAS) is participating in the 15th Session of the Conference of the State Parties (CoSP) 2022, with support from the USAID Okard project implemented by World Education, Inc., in partnership with Humanity and Inclusion. DMAS improves access to quality rehabilitation and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and supports the design and implementation of disability inclusive policies.
DMAS commenced their visit with a successful meeting with H.E. Mr. Anouparb Vongnorkeo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to the UN. DMAS represented the voice of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) from Lao PDR by sharing the key activities of the OPD network in Laos and emphasized the need for development partners to proactively engage with OPD representatives in promoting disability inclusive development. In line with the Annual Disability Policy Dialogue 2022, which was led by the National Committee of Disabled and Elderly (NCDE) and OPDs in Lao PDR, DMAS appealed to the Permanent Mission Office to support the Lao government by mainstreaming disability in their respective policies and programs.
During the discussion, DMAS also advocated for support from the Permanent Mission Office for one of the Lao OPD members to be elected as a Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Committee member in 2023.
Stay tuned for more updates! Ms. Metta Thippawong, co-founder of DMAS, has been selected as one of the speakers to represent civil society organizations during the General Debate today at 10am (EST) / 7pm (ICT). She will be speaking on economic empowerment and entrepreneurship for persons with disabilities, with specific reference to Lao PDR. H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, is also expected to make an opening statement.
USAID Okard – Gender and Inclusion Officer conducted training on Gender and Inclusion Development, Intersectionality and Empowerment
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the USAID Okard – Gender and Inclusion Officer conducted training on Gender and Inclusion Development, Intersectionality and Empowerment for USAID Okard sub recipients from Humanity and Inclusion (HI), Disability Mainstreaming Advisory Service (DMAS) and Association for Autism (AfA).
From 8 to 10 June 2022, the USAID Okard – Gender and Inclusion Officer conducted training on Gender and Inclusion Development, Intersectionality and Empowerment for USAID Okard sub recipients from Humanity and Inclusion (HI), Disability Mainstreaming Advisory Service (DMAS) and Association for Autism (AfA).
The purpose is to explore and learn more about the concept of mentioned topics, its elements and application for supporting people with disabilities as part of a Gender and Inclusive Development training.
This allows participants to reflect on this definition and explore how they can work with people with disabilities to help build self esteem and confidence and their personal capacity to cope with challenges, speak out about themselves, a way of understanding and analyzing the complexity of people, and advocate for their needs within a supportive network of family, friends and community.
“I am happy to join this training, I know a lot of terms for empowerment, intersectionality that is so powerful and driven to an individual. This training helped me understand how to internally reflect, as well as consider persons with disabilities and identify what actions we can take to help them feel included.” – May, a participant from DMAS.
USAID Okard, funded by USAID and implemented by World Education, Inc., in partnership with Humanity and Inclusion improves access to quality rehabilitation and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and supports design and implementation of disabilities inclusive policy.
USAID Okard together with the National Committee for Disabled People and the Elderly (NCDE) from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare conducted a refresher training on Income Generating Activities (IGA) for the Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) Facilitators.
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Income Generation Activities Refresher Training in Xieng Khouang Province May 31 to June 2, 2022.
From May 31 to June 2, 2022. USAID Okard together with the National Committee for Disabled People and the Elderly (NCDE) from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare
conducted a refresher training on Income Generating Activities (IGA) for the Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) Facilitators. The training utilitized inputs gained from a lesson learning workshop conducted earlier this quarter where the CBID team took time to pause and reflect on methodology, process, and tools to adapt and improve for the upcoming round of IGA implementation.
The CBID Facilitators had in-depth discussions with the Economic Empowerment Specialist about the assessment of business capacity/ideas and environmental risks, vocational training, Household and Personal Financial Management (HPFM) training, supporting the development/revision of business plans and other topics related to IGA. At the end of the training, the CBID team stated that they were well equipped and ready to start the second IGA round to support persons with disabilities in their target areas.
USAID Okard, funded by USAID and implemented by World Education, Inc., in partnership with Humanity and Inclusion improves access to quality rehabilitation and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and supports design and implementation of disabilities inclusive policy.
📢 International Children’s day- a day to reimagine a better future for every child! 🥳
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International Children’s day 2022
International Children’s day- a day to reimagine a better future for every child!
Lao PDR celebrates International Children’s Day on the 1st of June each year by recognizing the need to protect children’s rights in order to ensure they grow into happy, healthy adults. But, did you know, around the world there are approximately 93 million children with disabilities and are one of the most marginalized and excluded groups. In their daily life many barriers exist including experiencing negative attitudes and discrimination, being less likely to attend school, access general healthcare, rehabilitation and assistive products, or have their voices heard in society.
In Lao PDR, the USAID Okard project has a vision to build communities where children with disabilities can grow up healthy, access rehabilitation and assistive products to optimize function, go to school to learn, play and socialize with other children, and reach their full potential. The Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) Demonstration Model implements activities that remove barriers in society and supports children with disabilities and their families to increase their participation in their communities.
USAID Okard, funded by USAID and implemented by World Education, Inc., in partnership with Humanity and Inclusion improves access to quality rehabilitation and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and supports design and implementation of disabilities inclusive policy.
#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #May
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As Mental Health Awareness Month concludes….
…focusing on your mental health should not!
The month of May is known as Mental Health Awareness Month, and it is a time to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues. The stigma around mental health has long existed. Even though this has started to change, many people are still reluctant to seek help or even talk about mental health with their loved ones for fear of being judged. In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are approximately 450 million people worldwide currently living with mental health issues, yet two-thirds of people do not seek treatment. Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to reflect and focus on healing, reach out to trusted friends, colleagues, and/or mental health professionals, and connect in safe ways by acknowledging that it’s okay not to be okay.
World Education Laos is committed to supporting mental health and psychosocial support services in the health system through the USAID Okard project. USAID Okard conducted training for more than 40 professional health workers, namely rehabilitation staff and other specialists from Vientiane, Xieng Khouang, and Savannakhet provinces, with the goal of building their capacity to practice compassionate communication and use basic psychosocial skills when interacting with patients. These rehabilitation staff and other specialists also learned to identify more severe psychosocial issues, including symptoms of depression or anxiety, and how to activate referral pathways to doctors with expertise in mental health interventions.
USAID Okard, funded by USAID and implemented by World Education, Inc., in partnership with Humanity and Inclusion improves access to quality rehabilitation and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and supports design and implementation of disabilities inclusive policy.
USAID Okard Sub-Recipients 3rd Coordination Meeting
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USAID Okard Sub-Recipients 3rd Coordination Meeting
On 27 May 22, USAID Okard Sub-Recipients 3rd Coordination Meeting was conducted. This meeting was a safe space where all sub-recipients from the National Committee for Disabled People and the Elderly (NCDE) from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the Department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation (DHR) and the Center for Medical Rehabilitation (CMR) from the Ministry of Health (MoH), Humanity and Inclusion (HI), the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE), the Quality of Life Association (QLA), the Association for Rural Mobilization and Improvement (ARMI), the Disability Mainstreaming Advisory Service (DMAS) and the Association for Autism (AfA) to share their activity progress, events, issues or concerns in regards to the USAID Okard activities.
Foremost, it was an opportunity for all partners to pause and reflect on the USAID Okard implementation through the lens of each USAID Okard sub-recipient. This included achievements, challenges, areas for improvement, and to facilitate the exchange of views and ideas aimed at learning and improving the planning and implementation of USAID Okard and the professional development of all.
USAID Okard, funded by USAID and implemented by World Education, Inc., in partnership with Humanity and Inclusion improves access to quality rehabilitation and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and supports design and implementation of disabilities inclusive policy.
Evidence based rehabilitation is good practice to achieve optimal functioning of people after disease or injury or because of aging.
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Rehabilitation professionals from four central hospitals in Vientiane, received training from USAID Okard to improve the measurement of functioning and well-being as an outcome indicator of the effectiveness of rehabilitation services.
Evidence based rehabilitation is good practice to achieve optimal functioning of people after disease or injury or because of aging.
Rehabilitation professionals from four central hospitals in Vientiane, received training from USAID Okard to improve the measurement of functioning and well-being as an outcome indicator of the effectiveness of rehabilitation services. This training is part of the USAID Okard support to the MOH to implement the National Rehabilitation Strategy 2018-25 and to align rehabilitation practices in Laos to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) Rehabilitation 2030 Initiative. The monitoring and on site coaching have been implemented to make sure that this activities has been smoothly started. This important data will also help the Ministry of Health monitor the effectiveness of rehabilitation services and to advocate for increasing its financing.
USAID Okard, funded by USAID and implemented by World Education, Inc., in partnership with Humanity and Inclusion improves access to quality rehabilitation and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and supports design and implementation of disabilities inclusive policy.
U.S. Supports Rehabilitation Workforce in Lao PDR
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VIENTIANE, LAO PDR — On April 20, 2022. U.S. Ambassador to Lao PDR Dr. Peter M. Haymond joined Vice Minister of Health Dr. Sanong Thongsana to officially launch the Continuous Professional Development Training Facility for Health Professionals at the Center for Medical Rehabilitation (CMR). The ceremony also marked the official handover of rehabilitation equipment to the CMR and Ministry of Health (MOH).
“Our health and disability assistance is a central part of the U.S.-Lao Comprehensive Partnership. The United States looks forward to continuing our support to the CMR as it works to become a center of excellence, reaching international standards,” said Ambassador Haymond. “We are proud to provide this new equipment to assist the CMR in helping many people with walking difficulties, regardless of cause, to walk again.”
Rehabilitation is a key strategy for strengthening the health system. When quality rehabilitation is available at all levels of the health system, particularly at the primary health care level, it supports the Lao population as a whole and enables all to participate in society and contribute to the economic development of the country. The CMR Training Facility, supported by USAID Okard, is a key factor in Laos for building the capacity of health professionals to deliver rehabilitation services. More than 150 doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists throughout Laos will develop their skills and become qualified to provide essential rehabilitation services primarily at the district hospitals through their studies at the Training Facility.
USAID Okard provided CMR with a ceiling hoist for gait training, allowing people with a prosthetic leg, difficulties after an accident such as a bone fracture, and those who have suffered a stroke or traumatic brain injury, to progressively improve their balance and regain their ability to walk.
USAID Okard has contributed approximately 255,000,000 LAK to establish and equip the Training Facility and for the CMR to recruit and train core trainers, and contributed an additional 342,000,000 LAK to install the ceiling hoist and tracking system.
USAID Okard, funded by USAID and implemented by World Education, Inc., improves access to quality healthcare and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and supports design and implementation of disabilities inclusive policies.
Empowering training
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Empowerment is a word used by many people in different contexts but what does it actually mean? How would you describe it? The USAID Okard team met on 17 February 2022 to explore and learn more about the concept of empowerment, its elements and application for supporting people with disabilities as part of a Gender and Inclusive Development training.
Empowerment is a process of becoming stronger and more confident especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights, and to sustain this. By improving the status of people they acquire the power to act freely, exercise their rights, and fulfill their potential as full and equal members of society. While empowerment often comes from within with individuals empowering themselves, cultures, societies, and institutions can create conditions that facilitate the possibilities for empowerment.
USAID Okard staff reflected on this definition and explored how they can work with people with disabilities to help build self esteem and confidence and their personal capacity to cope with challenges, speak out about themselves, and advocate for their needs within a supportive network of family, friends and community.
“I never knew that the term empowerment is so powerful and driven to an individual. Sometimes I feel down and forget who I am or what is the drive that I have to live day by day and this training helped me understand how to internally reflect, as well as consider persons with disabilities and identify what actions we can take to help them feel empowered.” – USAID Okard participant.
USAID Okard, funded by USAID and implemented by World Education, Inc., improves access to quality healthcare and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and supports design and implementation of disabilities inclusive policies.