Participants attending the launch tried and provided feedback on the app. Photo credit: Hoa Sen University
The Vietnamese NGO Disability Resource and Development (DRD) and the Hoa Sen University in Ho Chi Minh City have partnered and launched a smartphone app that provides disabled people with locations of disabled-friendly community venues.
The app, which can be installed on both IOS and Android phones, was developed by disabled students at the university. It maps more than 1000 locations for accessibility and that the partners hope will be of use to disabled people.
Dr. Bui Tran Phuong, rector of the University emphasized at the launch that this app responds to the rights and needs of disabled people to track and take part in community activities not only with respect to jobs, healthcare and education, but also entertainment.
The app provides an interactive map that can help in finding shopping malls, parks, coffee shops and many other places of interest and entertainment.
A recent survey in eight districts in Ho Chi Minh City, conducted by DRD found that of 1800 public spots, only 78 were disabled friendly.
The number of people with disabilities taking part in social activities in Ho chi Minh City is very low on account of the difficulties posed by inaccessible infrastructure.
The IOS and Android app is offered in English and Vietnamese and users of the app can also add addresses to the app themselves.
For more information see www.drdvietnam.org
