The opening speech and welcome remarks were graciously delivered by Ms. Saranpat Anumatrajkij, Director General of the Department of Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities (DEP), Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.

Mrs. Sarotorn Muangklieng, Social Worker, resource person of DEP provided an overview presentation of the master plan and its five strategic areas in Thailand to monitor Thai ASEAN Enabling masterplan 2018 – 2021.

Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Manager of Community Development Department at APCD, shared and facilitated the group discussions and summarized the main findings and recommendations regarding pillar 2- Economic Community (AEC) which is directed experience of APCD.

Ms. Siriporn Praserdchat, Logistics Officer, shared the APCD experience working with ASEAN Secretariat related community work plan ASEAN politics and security.

The participants posed for a group photo with APCD DET facilitators and TIL organizers.

Mr. Watcharapol Chuengcharoen, Chief of Networking and Collaboration at APCD, introduced the objectives and benefits of DET to the participants.

Ms. Siriporn Praserdchat, Logistics Officer at APCD, facilitated a group exercise on comparing diversity, equality, and equity as a DET assessment tool.

Mr. Watcharapol asked for feedback from the participants after they presented their action plans, and all participants expressed their interest in attending a training of trainers on DET for Thai people in the future.

Group Photo between APCD and Steps Team included (from left to right) Mr. Nattakorn Asunee Na Ayudhaya, Partnerships Manager, Steps; Mr. Watcharapol Chuengcharoen, Chief of Networking & Collaboration, APCD; Ms. NuNu Supaanong, Networking & Collaboration Officer and Self-Advocate with Autism, APCD; Mr. Chayoot Homdee, Community Development Officer, APCD; Ms. Pear Chainares, Senior Inclusion Specialist, Steps; and Ms. Apinya Amnuayskul, Director of Partnerships, Steps.

Discussion Meeting to seek new collaboration on Skill Development Training and other areas

Ms. Pear Chainares describe learning process of persons with neurodivergent

On 21 May 2023, Mr. Piroon Laismit, the APCD Executive Director welcomed Mr. Tsewang C. Dorji, the acting Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) of the Royal Government of Bhutan, Mr. Tashi Namgyel, Director, Department of Education Program, Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) and Ms. Dechen Tshomo, Department of Workforce Planning and Skills Development, (MoESD). They also discussed potential future collaborations.

A group screenshot of 27 DET FT 2023 participants from 17 countries on a video conference

DET tutors, sign language interpreters and APCD operator team test zoom captioning functions and settings before the session.

Participants introduce themselves and learn about the introduction to online schooling

Dr. Kenji Kuno, APCD disability and development advisor and JICA senior advisor, leads the session with the support of DET tutors with disabilities.

The session ends with a Q&A session.

Group photo of participants and APCD facilitators at the Disability Equality Training (DET) session.

Participants with a physical disability (Wheelchair Users) and their personal assistant (PA) actively engaging in the DET session to enhance empowerment and advocacy for persons with disabilities.

Mr. Watcharapol Chuengcharoen, Chief, Networking & Collaboration, APCD facilitators demonstrating a social model exercise to improve the quality of services and accessibility for persons with disabilities during session.

Ms. Siriporn Praserdchat, Logistics Officer, APCD sharing her direct experiences on discrimination with the participants.

A group of participants were exchanging ideas and actively participating in the session and the session well encourage persons with disabilities to become agents of change in creating a more inclusive society.

The intern and APCD staff posed for a group photo to commemorate the occasion.

Ms. Xin Tong (Angelina) reflected on her internship experience and expressed her gratitude to APCD.

Angelina shared her contributions during her internship.

APCD presented a certificate of appreciation to Ms. Angelina for her contributions.

Group Photo of guest speaker and participants

At the Civil Society and Social Entrepreneurship Workshop, APCD history, vision, mission and its approaches were facilitated by Mr. Watcharapol Chuengcharoen, the APCD networking and Collaboration Chief, for the SPD339 class.

The SPD339 interns learned from Mr. Watcharapol, who shared his experiences and knowledge on disability inclusive business in Thailand. The workshop was introduced by Techer Kevin Cook.

Mr. Takenori Nasu, head of JICA's headquarters, and his team represent with APCD staff and JICA's advisor on promoting disability-inclusive development posed a group photo.

Visitors from JICA head quarter learned APCD activities as part of their mission in Thailand.

APCD thanked JICA for their continued cooperation and support and presented them with a set of publications.

During the friendly-working facility tour at the training building, they discussed their current and past cooperation on disability-inclusive development projects and exchanged views on future collaboration.

APCD showed JICA the 60+ Plus Coffee by CP, a social enterprise that employs persons with disabilities and promotes human resource development.