Asian Development with the Disabled Persons - ADDP

Voices of persons with disabilities change society

Voices of persons with disabilities change society: Collaboration between politics, business, and government to realize social inclusion for persons with disabilities

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✨ Inclusive Business Award Announcement ✨
On October 20th, under the support of GIZ, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Laos hosted a conference on inclusive business.
At this event, Minnano Cafe & Bakery Km 5 operated by ADDP, was recognized and awarded for its efforts in practicing inclusive business.

At the award ceremony, Nino, a staff member with Down syndrome, received the certificate on behalf of our cafe.
Previously, Sopa, a deaf staff member, had the opportunity to participate as a panelist, symbolizing that Minnano Cafe is a place where staff with diverse abilities can work and thrive together.

Minnano Cafe provides a space where people with and without disabilities can interact and enjoy a welcoming and inclusive cafe environment.
This award is a recognition that our daily efforts are gradually being acknowledged by society.

At this conference, it was particularly meaningful that the Lao government (Ministry of Industry and Commerce) is focusing on employment and access for people with disabilities not just as “social welfare” but as part of economic activity, marking a significant step forward in Laos.
It represents a shift toward a society where people with disabilities are seen not as “those to be protected,” but as active participants in shaping society.

We sincerely thank GIZ Laos and all the organizers for inviting us to this important event.
Encouraged by this award, we will continue to nurture Minnano Cafe as a place where people with and without disabilities can enjoy and connect together ☕💛

Today, ADDP organized an Internship Information Session and Parent Workshop with Phiawat Secondary School students and their parents; Phiawat school is one of our model schools for Inclusive Education (IE).
The event brought together 8 families of students with disabilities, the vice principal and a teacher from Phiawat, and two IE special teachers from the Teacher Training College (TTC).

The original aim was to provide information about the summer internship program for students with disabilities. However, the event evolved into something more meaningful — a platform for dialogue, learning, and connection among parents, educators, and professionals.

In addition to the internship details, we introduced:
-The overall goals and activities of ADDP’s IE project
-The importance of transitting from education to employment
-How schools and families can work together to support children’s development
-Real-life stories from a job coach and the mother of “Dodo”, a student with intellectual disability who has grown remarkably

During the discussion, TTC IE lecturer emphasized:
“While teachers play an important role, the role of parents is equally — if not more — crucial. Sending children to school is not the end, but just the beginning. Frequent communication between teachers and parents is the key to a child’s growth.”

Parents responded with heartfelt comments such as:
- “In Laos, there’s little information about education or jobs for people with disabilities. We’ve needed this kind of session for a long time.”
- “I’d love to see workshops for parents as well, so we can better understand disabilities and how to support our children.”
“Until today, I never had the chance to connect with other parents or teachers. This kind of gathering is truly important.”

Some parents even expressed interest in volunteering to support the project, reflecting their strong sense of ownership and enthusiasm.

Although the event started as an internship info session, it became a powerful and inspiring workshop for parents, full of learning, empathy, and collaboration.

ADDP remains committed to creating more opportunities like this, where families, schools, and communities come together to build inclusive futures for all children.