Page 12 - Mainstreamer e-Magazine Volume 5, April 2024

OUT AND ABOUT: INCLUSIVENESS
Universal Design for People With Disabilities in Thailand

Nitcharee
Peneakchanasak

veryone should consider designing amenities genetic factors, and congenital conditions.
to accommodate all groups, particularly The survey data from The Ministry of Social
Ethrough collaboration among individuals with Development and Human Security, a Thai
diverse abilities to enhance accessibility in various governmental body responsible for the welfare of
locations for everyone. It is crucial to conduct the Thai people, indicate an increasing number
campaigns focused on facilities for PWDs to raise of PWDs each year, with disabilities arising from
awareness and promote inclusivity. Involving PWDs various causes. Compared to the global population,
in these campaigns is essential to ensure that their PWDs represent one of the largest minorities.
needs and perspectives are properly represented It is important to note that even able-bodied
and addressed. individuals may become disabled at some point in

In Thailand, 2,095,205 PWDs have received their lives.
disability identification cards, constituting 3.17%
of the country’s population, with 1,094,210
males (52.22%) and 1,000,995 females (47.78%). “
The breakdown of disabilities includes kinetic or In Thailand, the government
physical disabilities affecting 1,048,065 people supports civil architecture and
(50.02%), hearing or communication disabilities
affecting 392,359 people (18.73%), visual universal design principles through
impairments affecting 188,474 people (9.00%), policies, and various foundations
mental or behavioural conditions affecting 164,230 and organisations advocate for
people (7.84%), intellectual disabilities affecting
143,368 people (6.84%), multiple disabilities these principles.”
affecting 143,368 people (5.91%), autism affecting Without proper infrastructure, PWDs face
16,783 people (0.80%), and learning disabilities numerous obstacles in their daily lives, and society
affecting 13,504 people (0.64%). There are also loses their potential contributions. Consider a
4,570 cases (0.2%) for which the data is awaiting person with a physical disability who has to use
confirmation. public transportation in Thailand. Upon arriving at
PWDs aged 60 years account for 55.41% of all a bus stop, he or she finds that there are no ramps
PWDs, amounting 1,160,898 individuals. Those in or accessible boarding platforms. The bus arrives,
the working age group, 15-59 years, total 854,997 but the elevated entryway makes it impossible
people, or 40.81%. PWDs in this age group for a wheelchair user to board safely. Despite
and older adults predominantly have physical efforts to communicate with the bus driver and
disabilities, accounting for 44.11% and 56.34% bystanders, no alternative solutions are usually
respectively. Children and school-aged individuals provided. Feeling frustrated and excluded, the
with disabilities (0-21 years) account for 46,201 individual is forced to abandon his or her plans
cases, or 30.39% in this age group. and seek alternative transportation, such as a
Research into the causes of disabilities includes costly and potentially unavailable taxi service. This
unspecified reasons by doctors, unknown causes, scenario highlights the daily challenges that PWDs
other illnesses/diseases, accidents, hereditary/ face when public transportation infrastructure

11 April 2024 | Vol. 5