Lao Disabled People's Association advocates for people with disability. In 2013, LDPA started wheelchair basketball. Players strengthened physically and mentally and stigma associated with disability began to breakdown. In 2015, through hard work, a team went to the ASEAN Para Games Singapore. Supported only by their enthusiasm and skills, players continue to train and compete. Their goal: to represent Laos at the 2017 ASEAN Para Games Malaysia. This requires funds for training and travel.
Negative stereotypes and social stigma towards people with disability remain common in Laos and people with disability generally have more limited access to the health, education and employment. Discrimination is also reflected in some regulations. For example, people unable to walk are not licensed to drive. Stigma and discrimination wear way at the self-confidence and self-worth, causing many people with disability to become isolated.
In its short life in Laos, wheelchair basketball has begun to tackle the challenges of stigma and discrimination: Players develop greater self-confidence and active social engagement, leading to positive outcomes in other areas of their lives As super-fit athletes despite disability, players are role models for all disabled people, challenging stereotypes and negative assumptions about capability. Success will open opportunities for other sports suited to people with disability
Expectation is that this program, along with other disability sports, and in concert with advocacy activities of LDPA, will help the wider community to accept and include people with disability in all aspects of life, allowing Laos to benefit from the full potential of people with disability. This will require ongoing work across a range of fronts - with wheelchair basketball already a highly valuable part of this strategy
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
