Usage of Policy and Provision of Welfare for Persons with Disabilities in Thai Society

Abstract

The purposes of this study research include: 1) to study the welfare needs of persons with disabilities in Thai society; 2) to study the preparedness and development in implementing welfare for persons with disabilities in Thai society; 3) to propose the appropriate policy and provision of welfare for persons with disabilities in Thai society. This is a mixed methods research including documentary research and field qualitative research. The target groups were purposively sampled including 4 organizations scattering in Ubon Ratchathani, Chiang Mai, Nakhonratchasima and Chonburi provinces. The groups include 8 executives and officials providing social welfare service for persons with disabilities and 29 persons with disabilities receiving the social welfare service. The instruments used include interview forms. The findings revealed that all people including persons with disabilities need successes in various aspects of their life such as: 1) health; 2) education; 3) accommodations; 4) employment, income and labor welfare; 5) income security; 6) recreation; and 7) other social services. Moreover, the problems found are the empowerment of persons with disabilities, creation of opportunities and equality in society evidencing that Thai persons with disabilities are quality citizens living in society with dignity. In preparedness and development in welfare implementation for persons with disabilities has yet facilitated their living in housing, public buildings, tourist sites, transportation system with high cost of facilitating technology for persons with disabilities. This has made persons with disabilities become in poverty and cannot get access or truly use these services. Appropriate policy and provision of welfare for persons with disabilities in Thai society include: 1) welfare in education , 2) medical welfare, 3) Welfare in vocation, 4) social welfare, and 5) welfare in mental rehabilitation through Buddhism; The expectation of people with disabilities from Buddhist organizations to empower them by managing environment in the temples suitable for them; producing media for Dhamma suitable for each type of disability; organizing accommodation for persons with disabilities who want to practice Dhamma; promoting the role of Buddhist monks In helping persons with disabilities and producing manual of Buddha Dhamma teaching in relation to their living.