The Lao Disabled People's Association is an umbrella group. Under it, different disability groups have been formed as independent entities. We saw the deaf group having a meeting while we were there.
Caritas Australia really tried to make this an active meeting, more than just sitting and listening to speakers. On the second day, the participants divided into three group for three site visits. Charlie Dittmeier's group went to the Lao Disabled People's Association and then to the Intellectual Disability Unit (IDU).
Afterwards at the hotel, the groups discussed their experiences and then prepared presentations for the following day.
| 26 June 2014 The Lao Disabled People's Association is an umbrella group. Under it, different disability groups have been formed as independent entities. We saw the deaf group having a meeting while we were there. |
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The Intellectual Disability Unit is on a different campus, in a large house while a purpose-built building is being constructed. |
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| The students knew we were coming and welcomed us at the door and gave us garlands of flowers before forming several dances for us. |  |
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Then the visitors met with the administration of the IDU and were able to ask questions about their operations, funding, connection with the government, and other aspects of their program. |
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The students were open and welcoming and we enjoyed meeting them. After the initial welcome, we went to the three classrooms to see the students at work with their teachers. |
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This student was getting some physical exercise training in the corridor. |
| We had to be careful not to ask too many questions so that we did not delay the lunch period for the students. They eat outside in a covered area to the side of the school building. |  |