1. Introduction
For two decades, considerable effort has been made to promote full-participation and an improved quality of life for persons with disabilities in the Asia and Pacific Region. The UN declared 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons, and the years 1983 to 1992 as the United Nation's Decade of Disabled Persons. During that period, the UN facilitated the implementation of government policies for persons with disabilities in various countries. In 1992, the 48th General Assembly of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) resolved that the Decade from 1993 to 2002 would be the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons and that the governments in the Region should be responsible for the implementation of the Agenda for Action in cooperation with relevant non-government organizations.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Government of Thailand have been discussing the establishment of a regional center for disabilities since 1998, in order to support the implementation of the Agenda for Action. Although the center will be located in Thailand, it is intended to benefit persons with disabilities in developing countries in Asia and the Pacific.
In this context, in October 2000, the Thai Government officially requested the Japanese Government's cooperation in establishing an Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD). In response, the Japanese Government has sent mission teams to conduct studies for the formulation of the Project.
] 2. Background
2.1 General Profile of Persons with Disabilities in the Region
It is estimated that there are over 600 million persons with disabilities in the world today with two-thirds of them living in the Asian and Pacific Regions ("The Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons an NGO Perspective," DPI, 2001). Given the size of the population and significance of the issues and challenges that they face, further efforts must be made to support persons with disabilities in order to reduce the socio-economic gap that exists between disabled and non-disabled persons.
The table below gives a brief profile of the situation of persons with disabilities in their given countries of Lao PDR, Viet Nam, Cambodia and Myanmar.
Table 2.1 Persons with disabilities in Indochina
| Country | No. of persons with disabilities | Percentage | Year | Data source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambodia | 169,058 | N/A | 1999 | The report on Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey 1999. NIS (National Institute of Statistics), MOP(Ministry of Planning) |
| Lao PDR | N/A | 7 - 8% | 1997 | The National Statistics Office, 1997 |
| Myanmar | 81,000 | 1.76% | 2000 | 2000 Survey by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief, and Resettlement |
| Viet Nam | 6,161,518 | N/A | 1999 | MOLISA: Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs |
| Urban/Rural Population of persons with disabilities | ||||
| Country | Urban | Rural | Year | Data source |
| Cambodia | 15.7% | 84.3% | 2001 | Country Profile: Study on persons with disabilities 2001 |
| Lao PDR | N/A | N/A | ||
| Myanmar | N/A | N/A | ||
| Viet Nam | 87.27% | 12.73% | 2001 | MOLISA |
It is important to recognize that the majority of persons with disabilities live in rural areas, yet most facilities for persons with disabilities and services are located in urban areas. The majority of rural persons with disabilities is poor and truly needs concentrated support. However, they have yet not been included in mainstream poverty alleviation programs (The report on the Field Study-cum-Regional Seminar on Poverty Alleviation among Rural persons with disabilities, 6-15 December 1999, ESCAP, Government of India, National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad, India.).
Among persons with disabilities, women are the most marginalized in the Asia-Pacific region. Less than 5 percent of disabled children and youth have access to education and training. These groups face significant barriers to social participation and development (Extract of the report of the UN Secretary-General, "Implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons", dated 9 July 2001.).
2.2 Profile of persons with disabilities in Thailand
In 2000, the population of Thailand was 60.7 million with an annual population growth rate of 0.9 %. Persons with disabilities account for 7% (4.3 Million) of Thailand's total population. Several organizations have conducted national surveys on persons with disabilities such as the National Statistical Office and the Thai Public Health Foundation. Since no common definition was used by these organizations, their results varied.
The number of persons with disabilities and their socio-economic status can be analyzed from persons with disabilities registered with the Office of the Committee for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons (OCRDP) under the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons Act 1991. The number of registered persons with disabilities totaled 263,786 in 2001. 35.8 per cent of these registered numbers live in the northeast region followed by the north with 22.6 per cent, which are the two poorest areas in Thailand. Approximately 70% of the total population lives in rural areas. Many disabled persons, particularly in the remote areas, still have limited access to social services. This is manifested in the fact that the number of persons with disabilities registered with OCRDP is still limited; there are persons with disabilities who do not know they can register and/or do not do so.
The following table shows basic data on persons with disabilities in Thailand. The gender ratio of the population of persons with disabilities is 159,017 male (59.8%) and 105,885 female (40.1%).
Chart 2.1 Number of persons with disabilities Registered with the DPW in 2001 by region (Aug. 2001)
Chart 2.2 Number of persons with disabilities Registered with the DPW in 2001 by disability (Aug. 2001)
Chart 2.3 Number of persons with disabilities Registered with the DPW in 2001 by age group (Oct. 2001)
Chart 2.4 Number of persons with disabilities Registered with the DPW in 2001 by gender (Oct. 2001)
Source: Office of the Committee for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons
Rights of persons with disabilities
The Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons Act was introduced in 1991; however, its effect is still limited. It states that persons with disabilities are important human resources and should be treated as equals to non-disabled persons. Several disability-related activities have started, such as the Rights of Thai Persons with Disabilities on 3 December 1998 and the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons Act, which was revised in 1994. However, there is no particular mention of practical strategies to assist persons with disabilities to gain equal access to public buildings and employment.
Education
1999 was declared the Year of Education for persons with disabilities in Thailand to encourage persons with disabilities to pursue an education. Of the 280,000 persons with disabilities registered with the DPW in November 2001, 81,000 persons with disabilities (30%) have never received an education. The table below shows the education levels of persons with disabilities in November 2001.
Table 2.3 Education level by type of disability
| Level of education | No. of persons with disabilities |
|---|---|
| No education | 81,439 |
| Less than primary school | 19,366 |
| Primary 1-3 | 80,402 |
| Primary 4-6 | 7,249 |
| Lower secondary (LS) | 12,665 |
| Diploma (2 years' teacher training after LS) | 36 |
| Diploma (2 years' vocational training after LS) | 1,880 |
| Diploma (2 years' technical training after LS) | 122 |
| High Diploma (2+2 years' teacher training after LS) | 167 |
| High Diploma (2+2 years' vocational training after LS) | 937 |
| Upper secondary | 2,011 |
| College | 102 |
| Bachelor's degree | 1,225 |
| Higher than bachelor's degree | 84 |
| Others | 71,050 |
| Under school age | 519 |
| No data | 124 |
| Total | 279,378 |
Source: Office of the Committee for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons
Employment
According to a survey conducted by the National Statistics Bureau in 1998, more than 56% of persons with disabilities are economically active. The promotion of employment for persons with disabilities was facilitated by the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons Act (1991). The table below shows the number of companies that follow the regulation.
According to Ministerial Regulation No.1 (1995-2001), companies with more than 200 employees are required to hire persons with disabilities or donate a specified amount of money to the fund for persons with disabilities. Since there is no penalty for violating this regulation, only 43% of the companies adhere to the policy. Unemployment continues to be a serious problem.
Table 2.4 Number of Companies employing persons with disabilities
| Companies | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| More than 200 employees | 4,822 | 5,119 | 5,415 | 5,675 | 5,133 | 5,301 |
| Employed persons with disabilities | 644 (13%) |
509 (9.7%) |
408 (7.5%) |
398 (7.0%) |
202 (3.9%) |
168 (3.1%) |
| Money forwarded to the PWD fund | 223 (14.56 mil. Baht) |
485 (33.12 mil. Baht) |
470 (34.93 mil baht) |
521 (34.45 mil baht) |
530 (34.49 mil baht) |
572 (36.39 mil baht) |
| Followed the regulation (%) | 2,331 (48%) |
2,535 (49%) |
2,955 (54%) |
2,690 (47%) |
1,607 (31.30%) |
2,254 (43%) |
| Did not follow the regulation (%) | 2,491 (52%) |
2,584 (51%) |
2,460 (45%) |
2,985 (52%) |
3,526 (68.70%) |
3,047 (57%) |
Source: Office of the Committee for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons
2.3 Profile of Persons with Disabilities in Thailand from their own Perspective
The findings of the survey conducted by JICA, with assistance from OCRDP, DPI-Thailand and other relevant organizations in Thailand in August 1999, revealed the following about the respondents (133 samples were collected.):
- Their greatest aspiration is to secure employment, financial independence and self-reliance;
- Many of them are also very much concerned with other persons with disabilities and would like to help support them.
2.4 Profile of the Disability-related Organizations
The Project will be designed to benefit all persons with disabilities in the region, and organizations for persons with disabilities will cooperate to attain the objectives of the APCD. The APCD will communicate with relevant organizations in other countries in the region to establish a partnership in the course of the project implementation.
The results of the questionnaire survey, conducted jointly by OCRDP and JICA from December 2001 to January 2002, of 33 organizations of and for persons with disabilities in Thailand, show their problems and needs as follows:
Table 2.5 Problems and Needs of the organizations of and for persons with disabilities
| Rank | Problems |
|---|---|
| 1 | Shortage of funds |
| 2 | Shortage of facilities and equipment (including training facilities, assistive devices) |
| 3 | Limited skill and techniques |
| 3 | Shortage of staff (including shortage of volunteers and capable staff) |
| 5 | Limited opportunity for training |
| 5 | Shortage of medical and rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities |
| 7 | Limited information related to persons with disabilities |
| 7 | Poor sustainability |
| Rank | Needs |
|---|---|
| 1 | Financial support |
| 2 | Staff training |
| 3 | Increased capable staff and volunteers |
| 4 | Obtaining skill and techniques |
| 4 | Instruments |
| 6 | Information support |
| 7 | Coordination and networking |
The greatest problem of the organizations is the lack of resources, which limits persons with disabilities from getting access to necessary opportunities for development. The Project's main focus will be given to training, information support and coordination and networking among relevant organizations for the empowerment of persons with disabilities. The APCD will do its best to meet other needs such as organizational strengthening and transfer of technology through training activities and information support.
] 3. Project Implementation Approaches
3.1 Project Strategy
In order to achieve the overall project goal, the promotion of the empowerment of persons with disabilities and a barrier-free society, the Thai and Japanese sides have agreed to the following approaches to planning and implementing the Project. First, the Project will encourage the participation of persons with disabilities in every cycle. This will include APCD management, the conducting of training activities and the monitoring and evaluation of the Project. Secondly, the Project will work closely with NGOs, including self-help organizations, in order to reflect their views in the planning and management of the Project. This will also assist the effective implementation the Project. Thirdly, the Project will target persons with disabilities throughout the Asia-Pacific region. This will be done with the expectation that this 5-year project will lay the foundation for the establishment of a regional center for persons with disabilities. Hopefully in the future, the APCD will be fully capable of supporting all organizations of and for persons with disabilities in the region.
3.2 Approaches for Achieving Sustainability
It is expected that the APCD will become a public agency under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare in due time. By registering as a public agency and semi-autonomous administrative body, the APCD will have greater flexibility and efficiency in its management. At the same time, it will receive sufficient financial support from the Government by means of an annual block grant through the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
In addition, the APCD will establish an endowment fund. Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn has consented to utilizing the US$50,000 Franklin D. Roosevelt International Disability Award. A Board of Trustees will be established to oversee its management and to mobilize additional funds through various fund-raising activities. Fund-raising will therefore be included as an important project activity.
3.3 Utilization of Local Resources
Although most project activities will be conducted at the APCD, it will coordinate activities with other relevant organizations in the region in order to utilize existing local resources. For this reason, JICA together with OCRDP, has conducted a survey of relevant organizations in Thailand on the availability of training personnel, venues and accommodation facilities. The APCD will consider the survey results when carrying out project activities to ensure effective implementation of the Project.
] 4. Project Justification
4.1 Benefits and Equalities
It is well understood by both Thai and Japanese Governments that the Project's target group is persons with disabilities. Therefore, relevant organizations, including self-help organizations, will act as partners in implementation of the Project. This will assure that the target group will benefit directly from the Project.
Another important consideration of both governments is that the APCD must equally benefit persons with disabilities in the countries in the region, including Thailand. Therefore, the APCD will negotiate with various organizations of and for persons with disabilities and ask them to act as implementers in their region. With support of the APCD, regional partners will also assist in providing information dissemination.
4.2 Support of the Relevant Organizations to the Project
In the JICA/OCRDP questionnaire survey (2001-2002), a questionnaire was sent to 107 organizations of and for persons with disabilities. It covered 42 foundations, 20 associations, 18 centers, 7 schools, 1 hospital, 12 people's organizations, 3 international NGOs and 4 councils. 34 organizations replied to the questionnaire, with 70% of these organizations showing interest in this project and a willingness to cooperate with the activities of the center. Some organizations are willing to offer their human resources and facilities.
4.3 Technical Viability
4.3.1 Methods of Information Dissemination
Information will be made accessible via electronic media. Printed/Braille materials will also be made available so that persons with disabilities without Internet can access and receive information. The APCD will also supply CD-ROMs to relevant organizations to provide them with latest updates.
4.3.2 Training for Different Types of Disabilities
The APCD will provide basic computer training in order to encourage persons with disabilities, who have insufficient computer skills to participate in training activities. Also, the APCD will do its best to plan training courses for cross-disability groups and persons with disabilities.
4.3.3 Selection of Technology and Skills
The provision of appropriate skills for persons with disabilities will be the prime objective of conducting training at APCD. Thus, training on IL and CBR will be carried out intensively. Also, the APCD will provide training for organizations of and for persons with disabilities, in order to help them implement IL and CBR in their home countries.
In the field of ITC, technology and skills to be obtained in training courses must be affordable, and accessible to different types of disabilities. The APCD will carefully select technology to be transferred in the training courses in order to assure technical sustainability. In this context, Thailand is believed to be an ideal place because both high and low-tech supportive devices are already in use. Therefore, a wide range of technology can be demonstrated and transferred.
] 5. Expected Impact of the Project
5.1 Effects on the Development Policy Framework
The Project is expected to reduce and/or eliminate barriers in order to achieve full social participation and equality. Such barriers include: 1) physical barriers blocking and/or limiting accessibility and mobility, 2) information/communication barriers, 3) legal/institutional barriers that block and/or limit eligibility for employment and education, and 4) psychological barriers that result from discrimination and a lack of understanding of non-disabled persons. This reduction and elimination can be realized by supporting the efforts of both GOs and NGOs.
The Project is also intended to create the empowerment of persons with disabilities through the provision of training, such as IL and CBR, as well as the provision of information support activities.
5.2 Impact on Developing Countries in the Region
The main target of this Project is persons with disabilities and relevant organizations working for persons with disabilities in the region. Those who have been trained at the APCD are expected to play a leading role in empowering persons with disabilities and developing barrier-free societies in their countries. Another expected impact is the development of training materials in local languages. One of the serious problems in training persons with disabilities in the region is the shortage and/or lack of training manuals, particularly in local languages. The participants of the training courses at the APCD will be encouraged to translate the training materials used into their languages.
Also, once the APCD has been well established as a regional center, it will be able to plan further assistance to persons with disabilities in rural areas. It will be able to do this effectively by utilizing updated rural data on persons with disabilities provided by focal points as well as already-developed networks and ties with relevant organizations and active leaders in rural areas.
] 6. Project Design
6.1 Overall Goal
The overall goal of the Project is that empowerment of persons with disabilities and a barrier-free society will be strongly promoted in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region. After the end of the Project, the APCD is expected to continue Asia-Pacific regional cooperative activities such as networking and collaboration among relevant agencies/groups, information support and disability-related human resource development. These activities would contribute greatly to empowerment of persons with disabilities and a barrier-free society for developing countries in the region.
The indicators to be used for (6.1) are:- whether the APCD is able to cooperate with relevant agencies/groups in the region in formulating and carrying out policies promoting empowerment of persons with disabilities and a barrier-free society.
- whether the APCD is able to collaborate in its activities with focal point organizations and associate organizations in developing countries in the region.
- whether relevant agencies/groups supported by the APCD are able to access and share information with others in the region.
- whether participants of the APCD's training are able to utilize their obtained knowledge and skills in their home countries.
6.2 Project Purpose, Outputs and Activities
6.2.1 Project Purpose
The project purpose is the establishment of the APCD, a regional center to promote empowerment of persons with disabilities and a barrier-free society in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific Region.
The achievement of the purpose will be judged by the following criteria:
- whether the APCD is recognized by relevant organizations as a center to promote empowerment of persons with disabilities and a barrier-free society.
- whether the APCD is equipped for networking and collaboration among relevant agencies/groups, information support, and disability-related human resource development training for the Asia-Pacific region.
- whether the APCD is well managed.
6.2.2 Outputs
The outputs to be produced in order to achieve the project purpose are as follows:
- The APCD will facilitate networking and collaboration among relevant agencies/groups.
- The APCD will provide information support for the overall goal of the project.
- The APCD will develop disability-related human resources leading to the overall goal of the Project in cooperation with relevant agencies/groups.
The indicators to be used for (1) are:
- Number of the Center's focal point organizations identified
- Number of the Center's associate organizations identified
The indicators to be used for (2) are:
- Number of visitors to the Center's homepage
- Number of visitors to the Center for information support
- Number of users of the Center's information referral services and their satisfaction with them
- Number and contents of the information from focal point/associate organizations in the region to be linked with the Center's homepage
- Number and contents of publications to be produced/edited by the Center (e.g., newsletters, training manuals/textbooks etc.)
The indicators to be used for (3) are:
- Number of participants of the training courses
- Satisfaction-level with the training courses felt by the participants
- Number of participants who have reported/shared the contents of the training to/with their organizations
- Utilization of skills, knowledge, technologies, etc. obtained by the participants in their organizations
- Number and contents of the associate organizations' training activities supported by the Center
The indicators to be used for (4) are:
- Establishment of an endowment fund solely for the Center
- Establishment of the Board of Trustees for the endowment fund
- Amount of the endowment fund
- Number of evaluation surveys for the Project
- Number of Research and Development (R&D) activities promoted by the Center
- Number of activities for promoting human rights concerning disability issues supported by the Center
6.2.3 Activities:
1. Networking and collaboration:
- 1.1 to identify and collaborate with the Center's focal point organizations in the Asia-Pacific region
- 1.2 to identify and collaborate with the Center's associate organizations in Thailand and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region
- 1.3 to facilitate networking and collaboration among the focal point organizations and associate organizations
2. Information support:
- 2.1 to support the capacity-building of the Center's focal point organizations to access and share information
- 2.2 to provide information referral services with relevant agencies/groups and the public
- 2.3 to provide periodically information on the Center such as its activities etc.
3. Training implementation:
3.1 to prepare and implement disability-related human resource development training in the following fields and other relevant training in cooperation with relevant agencies/groups:
- Independent Living (IL)
- Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR)
- Capacity building of self-help organizations of PWDs
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)/ assistive technologies for PWDs
- Non-handicapping/ barrier-free environment
3.2 to conduct surveys for evaluating the Center's training and following up ex-trainees
4. Administrative measures for the Center's sustainability
- 4.1 to conduct fund management/raising activities
- 4.2 to conduct surveys for evaluating the Project
- 4.3 to promote, support and collaborate with disability-related research and development activities
- 4.4to promote human rights concerning disability issues
6.2.4 Inputs
- The Japanese side:
- Dispatch of experts
- Long-term experts
- Chief adviser
- Coordinator
- Expert on disability-related human resource development training
- Expert on information and communication technology (ICT) accessibility
- Short-term experts
- Short-term experts, whom the Japan-Thailand Joint Coordinating Committee(JCC) finds necessary for the Project activities, will be dispatched.
- Long-term experts
- Training of Thai counterpart personnel in Japan
- Thai counterpart personnel to Japanese experts will be trained in Japan for further development of their expertise, when the JCC finds it necessary for the Project .
- Provision of equipment
- In the first Japanese Fiscal Year (JFY) of the Project implementation, the following equipment will be provided for the Project:
- One (1) van with a lift for 8-12 people
- Three (3) powered-wheelchairs
- Five (5) computers with the necessary accessories including disability-concerned access soft/hardware
- Other equipment necessary for the Project
- In the following JFYs, JCC will discuss and decide on the necessary equipment to be provided each year. The provision of equipment is subject to JICA's allocated budget for each JFY.
- In the first Japanese Fiscal Year (JFY) of the Project implementation, the following equipment will be provided for the Project:
- Dispatch of experts
- The Thai side:
- Assignment of counterpart personnel to Japanese experts
- Assignment of administrative personnel for the Project
- Provision of office space and facilities for the Project
- Utility and daily administrative costs of the Project
6.2.5 Important Assumptions, Preconditions, and Risk factors
Preconditions:
Sufficient funds need to be secured for conducting the training and a sufficient number of staff also need to be recruited for the APCD when the Project begins. Another important precondition for the Project is that relevant organizations are willing to participate in the proposed Center's activities.
*Important Assumptions for Sustainability:
Although the APCD is expected to receive financial support from the Thai Government after having become a public autonomous organization and is expected to establish an endowment fund, the financial burden on the APCD may increase as its activities expand to other countries in the region. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor the financial management and fund-raising performance of the APCD through the project period.
] 7. Monitoring and Evaluation
7.1 Monitoring
Internal monitoring of the Project progress will be the responsibility of the APCD and Japanese expert team. Each year, they will jointly monitor the progress based on the plan of operation and the project development management, and report it to their respective authorities. If they make any significant changes in the project framework, the approval of their respective authorities is needed.
7.2 Evaluation
Mid-term evaluation will be conducted by the evaluation team comprised of JICA and the designated Thai team in the 2nd or 3rd year of the Project and final evaluation approximately 6 months before the end of the Project. The criteria used for evaluations will be effectiveness, efficiency, impact, relevance and sustainability, and the evaluations will be designed to reflect views of the Project beneficiaries.
