These training courses are among the latest capacity building activities about DAISY format within a UPS-funded project called "Building Capacity and Removing Barriers for People with Disabilities in Disaster Risk Management through Accessible Digital Information System in Vietnam".

DAISY format is an international technical standard for accessible e-books that synchronize audio, images and text. Its major advanced feature is to enable users with disabilities to easily search for information in a file through navigating individual headings and sentences, which is impossible when using audio or mp3 formats.

During the three days of the training course, members of the Lift You Up group were supported to solve a range of technical issues in DAISY book production, including rearranging complex tables. They also learnt more advanced skills to create a DAISY book with all of the features. At the end of the course, participants successfully converted the “Manual on disability inclusive community-based disaster risk management” in English, compiled by Disabled People's Organization and Malteser International, to DAISY format. The Vietnamese version will be produced soon based on the modifications made to the English version. It is expected to be completed by the end of April, after the full content has been recorded. Upon completion, both versions of the DAISY-formatted DiCBDRM manual will be introduced to members of the public with disabilities, especially those with impaired vision, as well as agencies working on disaster risk reduction in Vietnam and worldwide. 

This manual on disability inclusion is considered a supplement to the Community-Based Disaster Risk Management technical training manual under Project 1002 in Vietnam. The manual provides specific tips and recommendations on how to include people with disabilities in community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM) activities. These tips and recommendations are also applicable to other socially marginalized groups such as illiterate people and ethnic minorities. Furthermore, the individuals and organizations who work on CBDRM issues and projects can also refer to this manual to develop their own materials for participatory training or meetings.

All participants were awarded a certificate of completion of training from Malteser International and ATDO. Ms. Mayu Hamada, Technical Advisor of the project, said: “Through witnessing the two training courses and the production process, I can see that Lift You Up members have made good progress in mastering DAISY skills. You are now able to use the DAISY software fluently. I believe that if you have more opportunities to produce real DAISY books, you will become such professional DAISY producers in Vietnam”.