Questions/Answers

The initiative focuses on the equality of the people with disabilities in a community and establishment of One stop service center for them. With this idea, they could equally receive the services provided then they would have a better life, take care of themselves and work in the society. What’s more, they could help other people in their society. The differences of race, religion, language, sex and age, are not limited because no one is left behind. All parties in the community are involved. More importantly, this initiative is used as the best practice in more than 100 places in Thailand.

This initiative is aligned with the 2019 UNPSA category 1. The One stop service center was systematically set up. The volunteers were recruited with the ratio of 1 volunteer per 5 persons with disabilities in order to help deliver inclusive and equitable services provided by the government. The disabled persons are able to request supports and access all services in the community. Everyone has a chance to get to know, support and help each other so that they could live in the community happily without leaving no one behind.

This initiative is likewise aligned with Section 3 and Section 8 of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The disabled persons are the target group; they are ensured to receive equitable services specifically for healthcare. They will be encouraged to work so that they could earn a living by themselves. Moreover, there are financial supports provided regarding the healthcare and skill development for the disabled persons.

In 2006, there were 48 people with disabilities and it surprisingly increased to 274 people in 2018. The survey shows that 3 types of people with disabilities were found: (1) helpless disabled persons (18 people or 6.57%); (2) disabled persons who can take care of themselves, but cannot work (102 people or 37.23%); and (3) The unemployed disabled persons (154 people or 56.20%). 240 out of 274 of the people with disabilities were unemployed and led to the poverty problem. The result of the survey revealed that people with disabilities wanted to be employed and got good healthcare services. Also, the conditions in private companies should be changed so that people with disabilities could apply for a job and socialize with other people. To solve that problem, Donkaew SAO established a One-stop-service center for the people with disabilities. The database of the handicapped is processed so that supports could be prioritized. There are available volunteers who will visit the houses of people with disabilities and help them whether they need an emergency care. The essential equipment, skill development and job opportunity are also supported.

Fulfilling social inequality of people is very difficult, especially people in rural areas of Thailand. People with disabilities are considered as the second class in Thai society and lack of equitable services. The initiative “One stop service” is innovative because it provides the opportunity to receive the equitable services and job for the disabled in the community. All of them are ensured to get sustainable supports and protection in all situations so that no one is left behind.

This is an original initiative that the Center of life development for people with disabilities, driven by the volunteers in the community, is established. The legislation was initiatively developed by people with disabilities. It is also the first legislation that both government and private sections are involved. All disabled persons will be surveyed in order to develop the database of people with disabilities in the community. Next, all of them will be empowered by skill-development training. Lastly, the network between the employers and people with disabilities is constructed.

Our unit is also a training center for other local authorities in Thailand. We conducted the training courses regarding caretakers in 90 local organizations and had the field works with our networks in 76 locations. The handbook for developing a rehabilitation center of people with disabilities was published and adapted in 90 organizations. We collaborated with many universities in Thailand to promote the care system for people with disabilities in the community. The lessons learned from our initiative led to the occupational platform for 4,000 people with disabilities in more than 400 companies.

We use a variety of resources to implement this initiative. The first one is the human resource as we have 69 volunteers to support and give advice. The caretakers and people with disabilities are all involved in all activities. Second, the financial resource is supported by Donkaew SAO annually. It is the legislation that 1% of the regular expenses of the organization will go to the Development Fund for the people with disabilities. Lastly, we use technology (i.e. Line Application) to send messages, notifications as well as to connect with all involved parties.

This initiative covers two main aspects, namely the social aspect and the economic aspect. In terms of social aspect, there are 5 sustainable points which are: (1) The Center of life development for people with disabilities; (2) The tri-collaboration (MOU) between the local government, the volunteers and the private sections; (3) The social platform for people with disabilities where their potentials are presented such as the Empowerment Day of the disabled people; (4) The local legislation for people with disabilities in order to receive the equitable services, is practical and actively used; and (5) The educational supports and skill development for the volunteers are a part in the local education. In term of economic aspect, this issue is extremely important since it reflects the human dignity since this initiative aims to support and provide jobs for people with disabilities. They formed up the group and established the community enterprise that the disabled persons could be the owners; therefore, they could be a part to determine the minimum wages, cooperate with the companies to expand the job responsibilities, and initiate the financial fund for business investment for the disabled people.

Yes

This initiative is evaluated in many aspects and by several organizations. The satisfaction evaluation towards the quality of life were assessed by Chiang Mai Province Social Development and Human Security Office in 2017. The eveluation towards the job opportunity focusing on the job value, happiness and satisfaction, improvement, and well-being, has also been assessed since 2015. We received annual assessment from Japan International Labour Foundation (JILAF). Since 2015, over 4,000 people with disabilities in Thailand have been employed at the Thai Red Cross Society in 76 provinces.

Five indicators are used to evaluate: (1) The evaluation form for activities of daily living (ADL); (2) the key success factor towards the number of volunteers; (3) the poverty line both regional and national level; (4) the follow-up with people with disabilities that be able to return good things to the community; and (5) the number that the initiative was used/adapted in other areas.

It is found that people with disabilities have a better life. They were empowered and completely had a better well-being (100% increase found \ from the evaluation form for activities of daily living). There are 69 volunteers (with a ratio of 1 volunteer per 4 disabled persons) and people with disabilities as well as their caretakers are all employed (100%). Moreover, all of them are able to earn money and stay above the poverty line. We also have one stop service unit that encourages the disabled persons to do CSR by giving a training to other people.

This initiative has been working on basis of understanding, equity and equality. All involved parties, such as people with disabilities, volunteers, local authorities, networks from government and private sections, participated in all working steps. The disabled persons are the key person that designs the skill development based on the database. The volunteers do not only update the database but also become an important part by running all works in the One stop service Center, prioritizing the problems of people with disabilities, evaluating the community’s works and supporting the care takers when they are not available. Moreover, Donkaew sub-district Administrative Organization provides supports and cooperate with other networks such as Chiang Mai Province Social Development and Human Security Office, Chiang Mai Provincial Employment Office, Premier Group Co. Ltd and Japan International Labour Foundation (JILAF). These organizations were involved, provided lots of resources, and developed the employment guideline of people with disabilities. Therefore, they could be employed and well-organized.

Taking care of people with disabilities is not an easy task. Only healthcare issue is insufficient. They should be empowered and need acceptance from other people in the community. Therefore, the cooperation from the stakeholders are strongly needed. People with disabilities are the key person to make a change in the society. Each people with disabilities is unique so all empowerment methods are designed individually because no one must not be left behind.