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For the first time, Vietnam will gain access to accredited training that will give doctors and technicians the knowledge and skills they need to support persons with disability in Vietnam to have greater access to quality assistive technology.
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The International Center-Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation and Assistive Technology Australia collaboration gives people across Vietnam access to ATA’s accredited training courses and resources.
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People with disability in Vietnam are set to gain world-class assistive technology support thanks to a new partnership between The International Center-Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (IC-VVAF) and Assistive Technology Australia (ATA) as part of the Moving Without Limits project, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by IC-VVAF through 2022.
For the first time, Vietnam will gain access to accredited training that will give doctors and technicians the knowledge and skills they need to support persons with disability in Vietnam to have greater access to quality assistive technology. Such access can enhance people’s independence in activities of daily living and their participation in social activities.
Disability Program Director and Chief of Party for the Moving Without Limits project at IC-VVAF in Vietnam, Dr Huong Nguyen, said: “We are excited to enter into this partnership with Assistive Technology Australia”.
“This partnership gives us and our partners access to Australia’s accredited training, which upskills health professionals, carers and persons with disability to advise on assistive technology needs and to deliver sustainable interventions. The project is possible thanks to funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided to IC-VVAF,” Dr Nguyen said.
“Assistive technology awareness and knowledge is fairly new to Vietnam. This training will help us to develop a core group of subject matter experts in this field, and in the longer-term we will be able to build a network of experts nation-wide.
“Through their learning and application, our subject matter experts in assistive technology will be able to influence the education level for assistive technology within the physical medicines and rehabilitation training at the graduate and postgraduate level. This will allow us to develop our assistive technology capabilities within Vietnam, leading to improved social inclusion and community well-being.”
The IC-VVAF and ATA collaboration gives people across Vietnam access to ATA’s accredited training courses and resources.
Ann Marie Yastishock, USAID/Vietnam Mission Director said: “For over thirty years, USAID has provided continual assistance, including direct support to over 1 million adults and children with disabilities in Vietnam. USAID projects have trained over five thousand rehabilitation practitioners at all levels and supported the establishment of over 60 rehabilitation units in the target provinces. The need for assistive technologies is huge (one out of seven people, according to WHO). We are very excited about the new partnership with ATA to bring this much needed expertise to Vietnam.”
ATA CEO Robyn Chapman said: “We’re excited to support the development of assistive technology capability in Vietnam”.
“In addition, we’re thrilled to be offering a scholarship to a person with disability in Vietnam to study our Assistive Technology Mentor accreditation,” Ms Chapman said.
“The Certificate IV in Assistive Technology Mentoring gives people with disability and carers across the world access to training that provides professional and valued employment pathways.
“Assistive technology is vital for older residents and people with a disability across the world. Our vision at ATA is ‘endless possibilities for all’, which means empowering every person with disability and senior to have independence and societal inclusion through assistive technology that fits their needs. Through the training and development of health and medical professionals, and assistive technology mentors, we can create endless possibilities for everyone across the globe.”
For more information on IC-VVAF, visit www.ic-vvaf.org; and for information about the Moving Without Limits project, visit here.
For more information on ATA, visit here; and for information about ATA’s training, visit here.
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Source: Vietnam Insider