Attitudes of local administrative organization administrators about establishing a general service center for people with disabilities at local administrative organizations in Samut Sakhon Province

Abstract

This research studied attitudes of administrators of local administrative organizations (LAOs) in Samut Sakhon Province about establishing a general service center for people with disabilities (PWD) and factors leading to the decision to establish such a center. Quantitative research was done with data collected by questionnaire and analyzed by frequency, percentage, standard deviation, and statistical correlation, as well as t-test and f-test, including factor and multiple linear regression analysis. 120 samples were administrators, including the president and vice president, of 38 local administrative organizations in Samut Sakhon Province.

Results were that most samples were male, aged from 49 to 55, having earned bachelor's degrees, working as vice presidents of subdistrict administrative organizations with between zero to four years of administrative experience. Hypothesis testing indicated that age directly influenced sample attitudes about establishing a general service center for PWD at a statistical significance of .034. No other demographical factor is influential. Multiple regression suggests that knowledge about PWD service centers directly influenced sample attitudes about establishing a PWD service center at a statistical significance of .003 and indirectly influenced decisions to establish a PWD service center with LAO management attitudes at a statistical significance of .010. LAO management attitudes directly influenced decisions to establish a PWD service centers at a statistical significance of .000. Factor analysis revealed two dimensions, with multiple regression equations stating that budget, management, and personnel, as well as building and equipment management were influential. Personnel and building management directly influenced decisions to establish a PWD service at a statistical significance of .000, while budget and administration factors had a statistical significance of .000. These factors influenced the individual management team’s decision-making process by integrating management resource factors in local government organizations.

These findings suggest that the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEP) under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security should reduce operating procedures and criteria for establishing PWD service centers and transfer such responsibilities directly to local government organizations for efficient management. In addition, training sessions and meetings should be organized for local governmental organization management to promote knowledge and understanding and guide practice, to educate personnel with specialized knowledge, skill, and positive attitudes about working with PWD. Future research might examine attitudes of social welfare officers in local administrative organizations about availability of more PWD service centers, and comparatively study attitudes of administrators and social welfare officers at LAOs which have, and have not yet, established PWD service centers. Provincial Social Development And Human Security Office problems and obstacles should be evaluated to implement policies on establishing PWD service centers.