Senate Reception for Study Tour Delegation

VNAH-HealthEd
1421 Dolley Madison Blvd., Room E
McLean, Virginia 22101
Tel. 703-847-9582   Fax 703-448-8207
www.vnah-hev.org

For Immediate Release
 
Viet-Nam Assistance for the Handicapped (VNAH), a non-profit organization based in McLean, Virginia, is sponsoring a study tour delegation from Viet Nam's National Assembly to Washington, DC on September 21 - 29, 2005.  In honor of this visit and in recognition of Viet Nam's efforts to strengthen the legal and policy framework for disability inclusion in Viet Nam, there will be a Senate reception on Tuesday, September 27 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in room SD124 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building hosted by Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont. 
 
With funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under the project "Assist People with Disabilities in Vietnam", VNAH has been working with the Government and the National Assembly of Viet Nam to increase access and inclusion of all people with disabilities in Viet Nam. The focus of the tour is to study how the United States has worked on disability issues to reduce barriers that people with disabilities face in employment, housing, transportation and other aspects of society.  The head of the delegation is Madame Nguyen Thi Hoai Thu, Chairperson of the Committee on Social Affairs (CSA) - one of 8 committees of the National Assembly. Among other tasks, CSA is charged with promulgating and monitoring the implementation of laws that deal with issues of disability.
 
VNAH is working with CSA and key government ministries in the process of reviewing the Vietnamese Ordinance on Disabled Persons.  VNAH will be conducting public hearings, site visits and study tours regarding disability matters to encourage a renewed effort to draft a more comprehensive disability law that will reflect the goal of an inclusive society accessible to all people, including those with disabilities.
 
For RSVP or further information, please contact Ca Van Tran, President, VNAH, tel. 703-847-9582; email: vnah1@aol.com