Established in 2001, the Lao Disabled People’s Association (LDPA) is a membership-based organisation for people with disabilities advocating disability rights and providing services to members based on their needs. The LDPA is one of the few officially recognised non profit associations in Lao PDR.  The LDPA is also an officially registered civil society organisation.

The LDPA has over 11,000 members from across the country but they seek to represent the interests of all people with disability within Lao PDR irrespective of their membership status. The LDPA does this at a national and provincial level. At the LDPA’s head office in Vientiane Capital they work in partnership with several organisations on strategic advocacy and rights-based projects. They also provide outreach, opportunity and empowerment at a provincial level where members are organised into groups (cells) coordinated by cell secretaries.

Their Vision – People with disabilities are fully accepted and able to participate in all aspects of society, are given equal opportunity, and support, to reach their full potential, and are able to live independent lives.