Published on Jul 24, 2003

Determined to be recognised and accepted as ordinary members of society, the first batch of disabled students to enrol in Thammasat University's "Help Them to Help Themselves" programme described the university's lack of facilities for the physically challenged as a "minor obstacle".

Just about all of them had experienced difficulties all the way through primary and secondary education, as the vast majority of institutions provide few or no facilities to accommodate physically impaired students. However, since they have made it this far, it seems nothing can get in their way. "I am used to it by now and will make full use of whatever facilities are available, because I believe more will be built," said Aphipong Shuthikul, 18, a student of commerce and accountancy. He added that he was fortunate the faculty and other students at TU were so helpful.

Aphipong was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a bone disease and since Prathom 3, then aged 10, he has been moving around in a wheelchair. At school he sometimes relies on the assistance of friends or teachers to move from one building to another during the day.

"The project has opened new roads for me," said Panitthida Srichadon, 18, who also has hearing and speaking disabilities. "I'm glad the university is more willing to accept the disabled: we are no less able than other people."

Panitthida and Aphipong's chance to study at Thammasat University came from TU's special quota, launched this year, to offer limited additional places to disabled students, intended to offer educational opportunities to every group in society.

"Providing educational opportunities is better than giving charity, because this way disabled students can be proud of being able to help themselves and eventually become useful members of society," said the vice rector for student affairs, Associate Professor Kamchai Jongjakapun.

However, the opportunity did not come easily, as the university had to ensure that the students had the academic ability to complete their course. Therefore a set of examinations was put together, said Kamchai, who is also in charge of the quota project.

The faculty examinations went hand in hand with a personal interview to evaluate mental profile and emotional quotient.

"The examinations are not a piece of cake. For example, the written exam on logic, Thai language, and mathematics allows only one minute per question," said Seksan Khosri, 21, a student in the Faculty of Political Science, who lost his right leg in an accident at the age of three and has since moved about on crutches.

Despite the 36 seats made available, Kamchai said only 15 places had been filled in the eight faculties that agreed to accept disabled students, those of law, commerce and accountancy, political science, economics, sociology and anthropology, science and technology administrators, allied health sciences, and fine and applied arts.

Tough entrance examinations were only one reason for this small intake, said Kamchai. The number of disabled students to make it to this level of education was limited because their own parents often prefer to keep them away, he said. "Some parents still feel that a disability is something to be ashamed of, so they keep their disabled children awa y from education," he stressed.

Even for those students who do make it, the facilities available to help them move around the university campus are not 100 per cent ready, said Kamchai. All new TU buildings are equipped with facilities to accommodate the needs of the disabled, but older buildings still lack them, he said.

The university is in the process of improving facilities for the disabled, he said, adding that a special team had already pinpointed necessary renovations.

Meanwhile a group called "Friends Help Friends" has been formed by a number of TU students to provide information on the needs of disabled students and create a more accomodating attitude towards them.

Kamchai said a supply of essential learning tools, such as computers with speech technology for the blind, would soon be acquired.

Despite a lack of facilities, he said, educational institutions should not delay projects to provide open-education opportunities because concern over facilities for the disabled was not as serious an issue as many people assumed.

Before launching the quota intake, the project staff questioned 40 disabled students at Rathanarajasuda College. The results showed that none of the students requested ramps, lifts or other facilities.

"They said they were accustomed to the fact that Thai society usually provides no, or very few, facilities for the disabled, so they had learned to adapt to the environment without too much difficulty," said Kamchai.

"So we decided to launch the programme this year instead of postponing it any longer. Now that we have disable students, we can eventually adjust conditions to accommodate their limitations," he said.

"If we held back because of a lack of infrastructure to cater to the disabled, they would never have any opportunity in life at all," he added.

"We are not 100 per cent ready with the facilities, but we are ready to educate the disabled and to produce quality graduates who can improve their own lives and contribute to society," he said.

Kamchai said he hoped the outcome of the scheme would be positive and gain more support next year.

"We have an entire year ahead and we will then evaluate the project," he said.

By Marasri Boonroj

The Nation