The Center is a non-profit organisation, approved by the Lao Ministry of Social Welfare and Labour, which is staffed by disabled women for disabled women. The Centre is located near the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge and is open 7 days a week.

Vision
Our vision is to be a successful organization of people with disabilities in Lao P.D.R. and empower people to engage their abilities by accessing education and employment. As a result, people with disabilities will have the knowledge, capacity and a means of gaining employment, generating income, helping themselves and contributing to the development of a sustainable society.

Objectives

The Centre’s objectives are divided into two separate yet equally important parts.

The first is to create practical opportunities for people with disabilities through vocational training and life skills training. The Centre empowers individuals by facilitating understanding of their abilities and supports them by creating an environment of peer support and liberation.

The second is to be an active advocate for the rights, recognition and equal opportunity of disabled women by promoting awareness and raising the profile of disabled women. The Center works with the Lao P.D.R. government and other partners (such as international governments and NGOs) to achieve this and encourage the understanding and acceptance of people with disability in mainstream society.

History

Founded in 1990 as a sewing group in the home of the Director, Madam Chanhpheng Sivila, disabled women were originally taught the skills of needlework and pattern making. In 2002 the Lao Women With Disabilities group became the Lao Disabled Women’s Development Centre.

Our vision is to be a successful organization of people with disabilities in Lao P.D.R. and empower people to engage their abilities by accessing education and employment. As a result, people with disabilities will have the knowledge, capacity and a means of gaining employment, generating income, helping themselves and contributing to the development of a sustainable society.

Objectives

The Centre’s objectives are divided into two separate yet equally important parts.

The first is to create practical opportunities for people with disabilities through vocational training and life skills training. The Centre empowers individuals by facilitating understanding of their abilities and supports them by creating an environment of peer support and liberation.

The second is to be an active advocate for the rights, recognition and equal opportunity of disabled women by promoting awareness and raising the profile of disabled women. The Center works with the Lao P.D.R. government and other partners (such as international governments and NGOs) to achieve this and encourage the understanding and acceptance of people with disability in mainstream society.