Vietnam and Disability Rights: Perspectives at the Time of Ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

ABSTRACT

Vietnam ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2015, signalling a commitment to the basic human rights of citizens with disabilities. Previous research has shown people with disabilities in Vietnam to be marginalised in society, often with limited educational or work opportunity, and with limited financial means. Using in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted in Vietnam and a thematic analysis approach to data interpretation, this article examines the current status of people with disabilities in Vietnam in relation to the core elements of the CRPD, from the perspectives of people with disabilities, their families, and professionals who support them. Findings suggest that, while Vietnamese society has made strides supporting people with disabilities, work remains to be done for the country to comply with the CRPD’s core principles. Suggestions for future action are offered, including ways to support human rights of people with disabilities within cultural contexts.

KEYWORDS:

• Disability rights
• people with disabilities
• qualitative research
• thematic analysis
• United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• Vietnam

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.