The project Living with Disabilities – Research and Book Development with Young People in Laos is comprised of three inter-related activities that collectively promote inclusivity of and give voice to people with disabilities – especially young people. First, high school students from Vientiane are selected to join a series of ‘Writers and Researchers’ workshop sessions over 3-4 months in Vientiane. In teams, they will design and conduct research on the theme ‘access to social services for children with disabilities’. It is expected that at least 5 distinct research efforts are completed by teams of students with the analysis, findings and key messages shared over the course of the project. Second, a ‘Writers’ Workshop’ with primary and lower secondary school children in Sayaboury province will develop children’s books on the theme ‘access to social services for children with disabilities’. The 3 day workshop will result in 10 children’s stories being illustrated, designed and published. Both the Writers as Researchers and the Writers’ Workshop will have approximately 50% participation of children with disabilities. Third, communication and advocacy about the project and about the issues related to access to social services for people with disabilities people is supported.  The results of the research (and the processes) will be communicated through social media, through web-sites and through other channels using reports, videos, photo-journalism, blogs, chats and/or other platforms. Advocacy will include developing a Guideline in Lao and English on conducting workshops that are inclusive of children with disabilities.

 The challenges faced by persons with disabilities as they try to access social services is under-researched. Therefore, planning to ease these difficulties is like shooting in the dark. The lack of evidence renders advocating for the provision of these rights to access these services practically impossible. PumAnh’s project “Living with disabilities – Research and Book Development with Young People in Laos” was designed to engage persons with disabilities in the actual research. The PumAnh team used innovative approaches to ensure that the persons with disabilities were right at the centre of the intervention: 

“These were very successful events on the weekends which brought together blind students, deaf students and non-disabled students to learn about research – using a sign-interpreter. We also invited research experts from Geo-Sys to deliver a practical half-day session on different research techniques, which was really appreciated by participants. However, Lao Sign language is still relatively new, with a vocabulary of roughly 2,000 words. Due to these difficulties, as well as a shortage of accessible sign interpreters, the research team investigating topics concerning social media and the hearing impaired did not finish their data collection. As a result, it remained a significant difficulty since deaf pupils had a very restricted vocabulary – and it was impossible to convey many terms and concepts to them.” – PumAnh Team 

The PumAnh team’s sharing above highlights the primary issue to achieve the project’s objective, which was to innovate and learn on “access to social services for children with disabilities”. The initiative consisted of three interconnected activities aimed at assisting young people with disabilities, ranging in age from primary and secondary school to high school. The major tasks ranged from developing and conducting research on the subject to communicating and advocating for the project and concerns concerning access to social services for individuals with disabilities. Five unique research endeavours were planned to be completed by student teams, with the analysis, conclusions, and important messages disseminated throughout the project. 

In terms of building skills as well as ensuring the sustainability the project, Voice created opportunities for linkages. PumAnh formed a collaboration with other Voice grantees for new ideas and innovation. An informal group including CLICK, APL+, LIFE, RDA, SFD and PumAnh gathered at PumAnh’s office on a regular basis to organise a cooperative partnership. The group worked on a publication titled “Tips for Working on Projects with Ethnic Children and Young Adults”. Furthermore, PTBUL and PumAnh collaborated to develop a new book about gender and sex education. This was a new project which PumAnh supported and became a good learning opportunity for both organisations. 

Following the project’s completion, students with disabilities stated that they were less frightened to prepare proposals, organise meetings, and arrange interviews – even in the presence of local authorities. Students with disabilities also responded that they were less ashamed to discuss their status and physical condition – as well as how society made life tough for them. They were first hesitant to speak about it, but then felt more comfortable discussing their condition with others. These outcomes were achieved through: 

• A series of ‘Writers and Researchers’ workshops. 
• Writers’ workshops with primary and lower secondary school children. 
• Communication and advocacy about the issues related to access to social services for people with disabilities.
  

The accomplishment has demonstrated to PumAnh that its hard work to collectively promote inclusivity and give a voice to people with disabilities – particularly young people – via three interconnected activities was worthwhile.