Vietnam has elected people with disabilities to its 16th National Assembly for the first time in the country’s history. The early 2026 election demonstrates that voters judged candidates on their track records, not their disabilities.
The representative was nominated by the Vietnam Federation of Disability, marking the first time the disability community has had direct participation in the political process. The core principle is shifting from welfare recipients to policymakers.
Thailand has had a Senate selection system for people with disabilities for several years, focusing on top-down appointments. Vietnam, meanwhile, elects representatives directly from the community. Both models have distinct strengths and can learn from each other.
Many ASEAN countries are advancing toward having disability representatives at the national level — a promising sign of transitioning toward a truly equal society.
What do you think Thailand should do to develop disability representation? Comment below 👇
Source: Da Nang City Government, Vietnam News, UNDP Vietnam