The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEP) hosted a groundbreaking 2-day workshop to revolutionize disaster preparedness for persons with disabilities, showcasing APCD community development department's Chief of Networking & Collaboration, Mr. Watcharapol Chuengcharoen, as a key panelist at Prince Palace Hotel, Bangkok, from May 28-29, 2025 The workshop brought together 180+ participants, including provincial disability service center directors, disability organizations nationwide, and expert panelists from government, academia, and civil society. The purpose was to bridge critical gaps in disaster response systems that often leave persons with disabilities behind during emergencies.

The workshop utilized strategic panel discussions, expert lectures, and multi-sector collaboration. On 29 May 2025, Mr. Watcharapol Chuengcharoen, Chief of Networking and Collaboration representing APCD, served as one of the panelists for the session titled "Disasters and Persons with Disabilities: Risks, Truths, and Survival," where he addressed real challenges and practical solutions. This initiative represents a paradigm shift toward proactive, inclusive disaster management, positioning Thailand as a regional leader in disability-inclusive DRR. APCD's network expertise drives sustainable change across the Asia-Pacific region. Let’s feel empathy towards Building resilient communities where no one is left behind.

Mr. Watcharapol Chuengcharoen, Chief of Networking & Collaboration, shares APCD's experiences and challenges on disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction from ASEAN and other Asia-Pacific countries, highlighting positive progress in Thailand's disaster response for persons with disabilities towards inclusiveness and leaving no one behind.

From Policy to Practice: Mr. Watcharapol showcases case studies driving change in Thailand's disaster risk reduction challenges for persons with disabilities.

APCD's regional perspective strengthens Thailand's disaster response for persons with disabilities.

APCD, in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEP) and ESCAP, held 4 Regional Stakeholder Meetings under the DIB Project on 26 to 29 May 2025. The meetings aim to gather insights on unique challenges and ways to effectively improve the employment of people with disabilities from diverse stakeholders in 4 regions across Thailand.

On May 26, the first regional meeting took place, bringing together diverse stakeholders and organizations from southern Thailand. The meeting aims to foster an understanding of the region’s situation and its connection to promoting inclusive employment. Representatives from organizations in the Northeast of Thailand joined the meeting on May 27 to share their insights and experiences in promoting disability employment in the region, as well as their collaboration among sectors. The Central and East regions meeting held on May 28 captured significant remarks on ways to improve inclusive employment for different types of disabilities, ensuring the understanding of various challenges of each type of disability, and ways to overcome them. A productive discussion on unique challenges and recommendations on inclusive business from participants from the Northern part of Thailand occurred on May 29, marking the success of the project’s regional meetings under DIB project.

The meeting atmosphere on May 26, 2025, with participants from various organizations from the Southern region.

Group photo with meeting participants of Northeast Stakeholders Meeting on May 27th.

Group photo with meeting participants from Central and East regions held on May 28.

Group photo with meeting participants from the North region on May 29.

On May 24, 2025, from 09:00 to 16:00, Ms. Supaanong Panyasirimongkol, Networking & Collaboration Officer, and Mr. Chayoot Homdee, Community Development Officer, both from the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), served as resource persons for "The Introduction to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Training." This training specifically focused on Article 3, "General Principles," as a fundamental step towards understanding the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The training was held at the Thailand Association of the Blind.

The purpose of this training was to enhance knowledge of the CRPD among 17 participants, who were persons with disabilities of all types. According to the International Disability Alliance (IDA), each country was assigned to conduct CRPD training for its own citizens and report back to IDA as part of the Bridge CRPD-SDGs Initiative Project.

The team of resource persons included Dr. Nantanoot Suwannawut, who explained the overall CRPD and Article 3 (A to G). Dr. Peanchanan Leah facilitated the CRPD principles from part A to C. Dr. Issavara Sirirungruang facilitated CRPD principles from part E to F. Ms. Supaanong Panyasirimongkol facilitated CRPD principles from part D, G, and H, and Mr. Chayoot Homdee assisted facilitators in each session. Personal Assistants included Mr. Rutt Kitchtham and Ms. Prim Kaewpradub.

The training incorporated not only lectures but also mini-games and workshops, which helped participants gain more interaction, understanding, and make new friends. Participants acquired knowledge of the CRPD and gained a deeper understanding of their own rights as individuals with disabilities.

Opening speech by Mr. Ekkamol Phaetthayanan, President of Thailand Association of the blind.

Ms. Supaanong Panyasirimongkol facilitated CRPD in different Session.

17 Participants mainly person with disabilities and their personal assistant joined the training.

Mr. Chayoot Homdee, supported the facilitators by provided assistant to participants.

Group photo of Facilitators and Organizer.

APCD Representatives, Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Community Development Manager as the resource person and Mr. Chayoot Homdee, Community Development Officer participated the workshop on “Advancing Disability Inclusion in ASEAN: Thailand’s Role and Commitment”.

The purpose of this workshop was to follow-up the Report of the mid-term evaluation of the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025, exchange views about the role and commitment of Thailand towards disability inclusive development in the ASEAN region.

The key significant discussion focused on promoting collaboration among ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Thailand, Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD), Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEP), Disability Thailand (DTH) and APCD. All participants expected to see Thai persons with disabilities can play important roles in promoting disability movement and support on solving immerging problems in ASEAN such as climate change, migrant people, cyber security, human trafficking, etc. 

This workshop included about 50 participants from government organizations, civil society organizations (CSOs), organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), ASEAN related organizations as well as other stakeholders. This workshop was financially supported by DEP.

Mr. Chokchai Wichienchaiya Director-General of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEP), main organizer, delivered the opening speech at the workshop.

Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Community Development Manager, APCD presented APCD’s implementation on Networking and Collaboration.

Group discussion during the workshop

On May 23, 2025 (Friday), from 09:00 to 12:00, Mr. Chayoot Homdee, Community Development Officer from the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), joined as a resource person in an online session for the training program: "Basic Mental Health Counseling and Support Guidelines for Students with Disabilities and Special Needs," for Mahidol University faculty and staff. This program was part of the "Volunteers for Friends with Disabilities" project and was led by Associate Professor Adam Neelapaijit from the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital.

Mahidol University is dedicated to educational equality for all, actively providing opportunities for students with disabilities. Currently, 112 students with various registered disabilities are enrolled. However, a significant number of students have "Invisible Disabilities"—conditions like autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, or chronic illnesses—who haven't registered. These students may not wish to disclose their disabilities but still require special assistance due to physical or mental limitations, depression, or challenges adapting to university life, academics, or participating in activities.

The session that was run by the associate professor also spoke about mindset, education, and culture that impacted Persons with Neurodiversity like ASD, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, or Chronic illnesses.

Around 100 participants joined this session. Mr. Chayoot shared his short story about his life with autism, how he overcame challenges, lessons he learned, and practices for participants who have friends or family with autism who are questioning their participation in society. He also understood why most people with neurodivergent conditions did not register, because they were afraid of discrimination and were not aware that their condition was a type of disability. Overall, participants understood the content.

Mr. Chayoot Homdee Community Development Officer APCD join the session.

Assoc. Prof Dr. Adam Neelapaijit, explained about disability statistic and Pathogenic belief and shared the case study on how to handle Depression.

Mr. Chayoot Homdee, answered the question how to handle person with autism.