People with disabilities indulging in craft can gain skills, confidence and thus happiness...
People with disabilities indulging in craft can gain skills, confidence and thus happiness. More support is required to assure their sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Craft offers a sense of accomplishment considered as a healing therapy for people with illnesses, both physical and psychological. It is even used as part of the therapeutic rehabilitation of the disabled.
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| Handicraft by the disabled. |
In 2005, Khanh Hoa Rehabilitation-Education Center for Disabled Children began to provide vocational training as part of therapeutic rehabilitation for the disabled and the mentally disadvantaged. 500-600 items, mainly paintings, greeting cards, flower vases, etc. are made a year.
Phan Thi Sen, Head of the Practice Training Office says, “Vocational training offers integration chances and helps skills to be recognized by the community.” The Therapy Practice Department of Khanh Hoa Psychiatric Hospital was founded in early 2008, helping patients to join rehabilitation activities designed to provide support in gaining personal insight and enhance senses of well-being and potential for successful integration into the community.
Over 200 patients are provided vocational training a month. Their products have been introduced in many places inside and outside Khanh Hoa Province. Many individuals and organizations have sponsored the activity. Besides, some big hotels and resorts such as Sunrise, Novotel, Ana Mandara in Nha Trang City have held programs to introduce crafts made by people with disabilities to visitors.
According to Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, Vice Head of Therapy Practice Department of Khanh Hoa Psychiatric Hospital, the art activities of the disabled are frequently organized but their products tackle consumer problems. Therefore, more support in terms of design and consumption is required from individuals and organizations to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for the patients.
Travel companies can provide support for the disadvantaged by holding tours to social service centers and buy products made by the disabled, says Phan Thi Sen.
Craft can keep people with disabilities confident, entertained and eventually capable of standing on their own feet, helping them to overcome life's challenges and integrate into the community.
N.T
