DIRECT AND INDIRECT DISCRIMINATION: LAW AND IMPLEMENTATION GAP SAMRERNG VIRACHANANG, PH.D. VICE PRESIDENT, FOREIGN AFFAIRS DISABILITIES THAILAND (DTH) OCTOBER 25, 2012 The 15 th DPIAP Regional Assembly, Inchon October 24-25, 2012

About PWD and DTH

Approximated Number of PWD in Thailand  About 10% of 64,000,000 total population or 6, 000,000 PWD  Currently found 2,000,000 (All types of disability)  The Challenge -- Attempt to find the rest !!

Disabilities Thailand (DTH) Structure  A legally recognized ultimate Thai disability organization * Present Chair: Mr. Suppacheep Didthad ** Immediate Past Chair: Mr. Chusak Janthayanond  DTH umbrella comprise of five legally recognized associations 1. Visual (Eyes) 2. Hearing (Ears) 3. Physical Ability (Locomotion)* 4. Mental/Behavioral Disability & Autism** 5. Intellectual/Learning Disability

Law, Challenges and Recommendation to Bridge Implementation Gap

The National Health Security Act 2002  Existing Service  Health security service for all  Free service for PWD  Rehabilitation and early intervention

The National Health Security Act 2002  Challenges and recommendations to bridge gap  Extend early intervention service to provincial level  Set up and promote community life skill centers with active role of parents participation  Individualized medicine and annual health check-up  Increase specialized doctors and relevant specialists  Continuous campaign to raise awareness and right attitude on disability issues at all levels

The National Education Act 2003  Existing Service  Free education up to Bachelor Degree or equivalent  Right to choose education methods formal education non-formal education alternative education

The National Education Act 2003  Challenges and recommendations to bridge gap  Encourage and support inclusive education in all schools  Establish “parallel class” (at least one school per district)  Extend special schools to urban areas  Establish community learning center with active involvement of parents  Provide education materials, learning kid & supportive service  Develop curriculum and transition plan in all levels of education  Increase specialized education manpower, e.g. sign language

The Persons with Disabilities Empowerment Act 2007  Direct Responsible Government Entity:  Ministry of Social Development and Human Security  The National Office for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (NEP)

The Persons with Disabilities Empowerment Act 2007  Existing Service  Work in collaboration with DTH on Policy, direction and allocation of overall budget Set up Provincial Office of Social Development and Human Security for PWD Welfare The Rehabilitation Fund  Work with the five PWD Associations on Provide expertise, guidance, support and facilitate implementation plans in line with the allocated budget

The Persons with Disabilities Empowerment Act 2007  Challenges and recommendations to bridge gap  Ensure equal right and law protection via various means Increase awareness on disability issues especially the intellectual and autistic groups Promoting equally accessible and barrier-free society Being inclusive in all social, political and public activities  Government support for self-advocate welfare/nursing home  Train and empower care taker and family in taking care of intellectual and autistic children  Encourage social media on promoting quality of life of PWD

Employment -- A Real Challenge !!!  Existing Service  No specific employment law at present No host ministry  Alternatively, a specially law is being implemented by NEP Business sector must employ PWD at 100 : 1 in exchange of corporate tax incentive Otherwise, must contribute by means of money to the Rehabilitation Fund

Employment -- A Real Gap and A Big Challenge  Challenges and recommendations to bridge gap  Enact a specific law on employment for PWD  Set up a job opportunity exchange system between responsible ministerial office and business sector  Provide pre-employment and job coach system  Encourage government offices to employ more PWD  Set up community workshop with continuous funding  Promote Social Enterprise system as an alternative mean of self-employed

Question & Answer Thank you for your valuable time