1.BSRU’s Commitment to Inclusivity: Advancing Equal Opportunities for Students with Disabilities
At Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University (BSRU), we are dedicated to promoting inclusivity for students with disabilities, aligning our efforts with the broader goals of Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities. Despite the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in Thailand—where less than 10% complete high school and only 6.2% are employed—BSRU is committed to creating an environment that fosters equal opportunities for all. We recognize the societal misconceptions that contribute to discrimination and aim to combat these attitudes through proactive measures that enhance accessibility and support.
According to the 2023 enrollment data, there are 43 students with disabilities at BSRU, which constitutes 0.44% of the total student population of 9,872, one of the highest percentages in Thailand. This figure underscores the importance of ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing accessibility and support for students with diverse needs. BSRU is dedicated to creating an environment where all students can thrive academically and socially. To achieve this, we are implementing tailored support services, accessible facilities, and awareness programs designed to promote understanding and inclusivity within the campus community.
2.Accessible Facilities
In BSRU, we are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive environment that supports diversity and equal opportunities for all individuals, particularly those with disabilities. In alignment with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, BSRU has implemented a range of facilities and services designed to ensure accessibility and support for students with disabilities.
To enhance access, BSRU has designated parking spaces for disabled individuals across the university, with notable locations such as Building 6, which is conveniently situated near the Disability Support Service Centre (DSS). This ensures easy access to the university’s facilities.
Additionally, the university places a strong emphasis on providing accessible toilets, which are strategically located throughout the campus. These facilities are designed to meet the specific needs of individuals with disabilities and feature spacious layouts, grab bars, and essential amenities for comfort and usability.
Furthermore, the architectural design of BSRU includes wheelchair ramps that comply with high accessibility standards. These ramps are thoughtfully placed to provide ease of movement across the campus and feature gradual slopes, adequate dimensions, and safety elements like handrails and non-slip surfaces. This thoughtful design benefits not only disabled individuals but also elderly participants in community training programs.
Elevators within the university are equipped with Braille, enabling individuals with visual impairments to navigate the campus independently. This inclusion facilitates the movement of visually impaired individuals by providing crucial information, such as floor numbers, in an accessible format. In addition to Braille, the elevators meet accessibility standards with ramps tailored to the needs of disabled users.
3.Disability Support Service Centre (DSS)
Central to BSRU’s commitment to inclusivity is the Disability Support Service Centre (DSS). The DSS plays a pivotal role in ensuring that students with disabilities receive the necessary support to thrive academically. The center is dedicated to empowering these individuals to reach their full academic potential, equivalent to their peers without disabilities.
Services offered by the DSS encompass academic support, educational counseling, and various forms of assistance in alignment with the Education Promotion for Persons with Disabilities Act of 2008. This support includes media production, Braille book creation, exam reading services, scholarship coordination, and collaboration with teachers.The DSS also provides essential assistive electronic devices and specialized software to students facing various disabilities. These resources, such as English reading programs (JAWS) and Thai language support along with equipment like Braille printers and voice recorders, play a crucial role in breaking down barriers and reducing inequalities in the academic environment. By offering a range of assistive technologies, the DSS empowers students to overcome challenges and fully participate in their education.
Additionally, the DSS coordinates with businesses to facilitate internships for disabled students and tracks the performance of disabled graduates. This support ensures a pathway to employment and personal growth, reinforcing the university’s commitment to creating an inclusive educational environment that promotes equality for individuals with disabilities.
4.Disability access scheme
Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University (BSRU) has implemented a comprehensive Disability Access Scheme aimed at supporting students with disabilities throughout their academic journey. This initiative ensures that students have access to a wide range of resources, financial assistance, and mentoring opportunities to help them thrive in the university environment.
Under BSRU’s Disability Access Scheme, students with disabilities are exempted from paying fees, in compliance with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation’s financial support policies. This exemption ensures that disabled students face no financial barriers in accessing higher education, aligning with national initiatives aimed at promoting educational equality and inclusivity for all. Additionally, BSRU allocates a quota for students with disabilities, with a total of 19 students currently benefiting from this scheme.
The university takes an active role in applying for financial support on behalf of these students to alleviate their financial burdens. In addition to this support, the university provides personalized mentoring to guide students through the process of applying for additional funding opportunities, helping them access the resources they need for their education.
Moreover, the Thai Association Insurance and Financial Advisors Foundation (THAIFA) contributes to the scheme by offering scholarships. In 2023, they awarded scholarships to 15 students, amounting to a total of 80,000 baht, further strengthening the financial support network for disabled students.
BSRU also places great importance on fostering a sense of community among its disabled students. On January 6, 2023, the university’s Disability Support Center, in collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs, organized an event aimed at building connections between senior and junior students with disabilities. Associate Professor Saiyan Phuttala, Vice President of BSRU, presided over the event, which was attended by faculty leaders and members of the Office of Student Affairs. The event included the sharing of personal experiences by students with physical disabilities, and two distinguished faculty members from the Faculty of Education, Asst. Prof. Dr. Kanchana Sutthiniam and Asst. Prof. Dr. Chonlaporn Kongkham, offered guidance on living a happy and fulfilling life at the university. The event took place at the Disability Support Center, located on the first floor of Building 3.
During the University Council Meeting on October 19, 2023, BSRU considered important measures to enhance accessibility for students with disabilities, including a draft announcement on criteria and procedures for admitting disabled students to undergraduate programs in the 2024 academic year. This move is part of BSRU’s broader strategy to ensure educational equity and support for all learners, regardless of their abilities. Additionally, BSRU has issued a special announcement regarding the opportunity for individuals with disabilities or their caregivers to apply for the right to operate stalls or provide services on campus. This initiative not only supports the economic empowerment of disabled individuals but also promotes inclusivity in university operations.
Moreover, the participation of BSRU’s staff in the 2023 seminar for higher education disability support centers, held from December 12-15, 2023, further emphasizes the university’s active role in fostering an inclusive learning environment. The seminar focused on strategies to improve educational opportunities for students with disabilities, such as creating accessible learning materials, developing specialized knowledge, and promoting employment for graduates with disabilities. These efforts are a testament to BSRU’s commitment to reducing inequalities and expanding opportunities, particularly through its accessibility scheme, which strives to integrate students with disabilities into higher education and beyond.
