PUBLISHED: 11 May 2025 at 16: 50
The Senate sub-committee on the old, the handicapped, and the poor will push for legislation to prevent mental disabilities from excluding children from the country’s educational system.
Sen Charnnarong Phanrungroj, the head of the sub-committee, stated after the” Accents from Down Syndrome” community that while education is essential for maximizing potential for those with disabilities, many of them are prevented from entering the system by many obstacles.
He cited a lack of equitable schools, stringent admissions standards, and requirements for a illness identification card, as well as a lack of professional staff and support facilities.
Sen. Charnarong claimed that if Down syndrome children are taught in ordinary schools, they can reach their full potential while helping other children learn about the condition.
4.19 million people with disabilities, or roughly 6 % of the people, are reported to be in Thailand, according to the National Statistical Office of the country.
Just 2.2 million people, according to data from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, are registered and holding impairment ID cards, which restrict their access to basic rights, including schooling.
As of October 31st, 2013, there were 162 747 people who had emotional or behavioral disabilities, 144 who had intellectual disabilities, 16 890 who had learning disabilities, and 25 643 who had dementia.
Sen. Charnarong argued that the government should increase access to education for people with disabilities because it considers education to be a critical step.
Education is a tool for achieving individual’s possible, which also reduces differences in career prospects and allows people with disabilities to live with respect, he said.
To ensure justice in education, “any rules that restrict access to education for kids with special needs may be removed.” He claimed that equal access to education does promote growth and increase employment prospects.
He suggested that the ratio of people with disabilities to public employees at work should be increased from 1: 100 to 2: 100 or 1:150.
Some still lack access to secure and lasting employment, especially in the public sector, given the number of handicapped people, he continued.