Asia-Pacific forum to review policies on People with Disabilities

Hanoi, October 23 (VNA) – The biennial Asia and Pacific Disability Forum (APDF) conference on the implementation of the rights of people with disabilities will commence in Vietnam's capital city of Hanoi on November 26 with the participation of almost 500 domestic and international delegates. The focus of the conference is to review the progress made on the Incheon strategy with regard to the realisation of the rights of people with disabilities in the fields of education, employment and the media. The strategy is part of the ministerial declaration issued at the first APDF in Incheon, the Republic of Korea, in 2012. Participants will also discuss how to increase public awareness of the rights of people with disabilities. A number of side events will be organised during the four-day event, including an exhibition of handicrafts made by people with disabilities, a walking tour of Hanoi, a gala dinner and a singing contest. In a congratulatory message to the organising board, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan hailed the upcoming event as an appropriate celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3). The event will be co-hosted by the Vietnam Federation on Disability and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.-VNA