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APCD Trainings

Training of Educational Material Production for Persons with Hearing Disabilities

During a Session Assistive Technology Center (ASTEC), National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC) collaborated with APCD to organize the second domestic training of Educational Material Production for People with Hearing Disabilities from 5-16 November 2007.

The 21 participants included 6 deaf persons from Special Education Centers, Universities and Ratchasuda College in this outstanding training.

The training was to teach computer programs which are used to produce and adapt educational material for students with hearing impairments and promote learning aids on ICT for teachers and students.

After discussing problems and solutions for persons with hearing disabilities to learn on the first day, the hands-on training focused on related software such as MS Producer, Hot Potato, VCD Cutter, Subtitle Workshop, VisualDub, ConvertX to DVD and Macromedia Flash Player.

Participants learned how to create and produce presentations, exercises, add captions or subtitles on VCD and DVD materials as well as make flash cartoons to use in class.

In each part of the program, the participants' homework involved making small projects so they could utilize their creativity and knowledge from the sessions to practice and better understand how to implement learning material for deaf students through the comments of the hearing impaired participants.

Resource Persons from NECTEC and APCD will compile more information to adapt curriculums, contents and concepts of this training course with the intent to develop and organize a regional training course for deaf teachers and persons who are looking to the future.

Non-handicapping Environment Training

A Group Photo at the opening Ceremony APCD organized a Non-handicapping Environment Workshop at APCD from 17-21 December 2007. Thai Resource Persons with expertise in this field included Mr. Ditsanun Banlanggarn, from the Department of Design and Architecture of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MTRA), Assoc. Prof. Trirat Jarutat, Ms. Kitiorn Sirisuk, Ms. Kulthida Techavorasinsakol, Professor of the Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, Assoc. Prof. Kusuma Thammatamtong from King Mongkut Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Mr. Sakchai Yaungtrakol expert in Access Legislation, Mr. Montian Buntan, President of Thailand Association of the Blind as well as Assoc. Prof. Banasopit Mekvichai, Vice-Governor of Bangkok.

A Field Visit to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand

Participants from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Lao PDR, the Philippines,Sri Lanka and Thailand represented architects,engineers, urban planners, public transport planners,government officials and non-governmental personnel concerned with disability issues as well as representatives of self-help organizations of persons with disabilities.

The first objective was for the above target group to become trainers/ promoters/resource persons concerning a non-handicapping environment, universal design and a barrier-free society in their respective countries; secondly, to link the participants by networking to promote a non-handicapping environment in the Asia-Pacific region as well as their own countries.

As an outcome, participants shared the situation of their respective countries concerning accessibility and learned about the universal concept for all. Fieldwork included observing transportation systems and how Pattaya City adapted a design concept so that private and public buildings are now accessible for persons with disabilities. APCD believes this Workshop will be a catalyst in promoting a non-handicapping environment using the universal design.

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