Continuous care is a crucial factor in treatment for children with disabilities. However, COVID-19 quarantine and lock downs have interrupted in-person services for children with disabilities and direct support for their parents and caregivers. As an adaptive measure, USAID’s Disabilities Integration of Services and Therapies Network for Capacity and Treatment Project (DISTINCT) has implemented online support to ensure quality services are continuously offered to children with disabilities and their families in Tay Ninh, Binh Phuoc and Dong Nai provinces. A series of 24 training courses and technical assistance on special education, physical therapy and speech therapy has been offered to hundreds of parents and caregivers through interactive online sessions and mobile phones, with direct access to teachers for coaching and support; 99% of parents and caregivers reported satisfaction with the services provided. USAID is currently exploring ways to provide services to families who do not have an internet connection or mobile phones.
With support from USAID, key services have been continued for about 1,600 children with disabilities. Under professional supervision and assistance of experts and teachers, parents and caregivers of children with disabilities are able to engage more actively and provide more intervention care. These achievements have also demonstrated that virtual support is an effective strategy and should become routine practice in disabilities services.
VietHealth