Group photo of APCD staff and Ms. Hiroko Itako, JOCV on DiDRR, after her final presentation.

Ms. Itako led a reflection session where she presented her background, her work and contributions at APCD, and her future plans.

The atmosphere during the session was filled with warmth and gratitude as both Ms. Hiroko and APCD staff exchanged kind and encouraging farewell messages.

As the session came to an end, Mr. Piroon Laismit, APCD Executive Director, delivered a farewell speech, appreciations and presented a gift to Ms. Itako.

On 14 August 2025, APCD organized a reflection and farewell session for Ms. Hiroko Itako, a JOCV volunteer on DiDRR, who has been assigned to APCD since September 2023. During her two years of work with APCD and APCD’s partners in Asia-Pacific countries, Ms. Itako gave a final presentation, reflecting on her background, her work and contributions to APCD, and her future plans. The session honored her significant work, particularly in DiDRR knowledge co-dissemination to APCD staff and through APCD networking activities. DiDRR is one of the new approaches that APCD is committed to implementing at the community, national, and regional levels.

The session also included a farewell gift presentation to Ms. Itako, followed by kind and encouraging farewell messages from APCD colleagues. She also expressed her gratitude toward APCD colleagues, as well as shared memorable stories from her time at APCD. Mr. Piroon Laismit, APCD Executive Director, delivered a farewell speech for Ms. Itako. Filled with memorable moments, the session reflected the strong bond she had built during her time with APCD and concluded with a group picture to capture the meaningful moment.

Dr. Prapot Petrakard, president of the Foundadtion for Children with Disabilities delivered the opening address and special lecture at the Dousa-Hou Academic Seminar.

Mr. Koichi Tani from the Osaka Dousa-Hou Society gave a key note presentation on the principles and history of Dousa-Hou

Panelists from Thailand and Japan shared their experiences and insights on implementing Dousa-Hou in the community.

Mr. Somchai Rungsilp from APCD delivered the closing summary at the Dousa-Hou Academic Seminar.

Key participants and organizers from Thailand and Japan gathered for a commemorative group photo after the seminar.

On 8 August 2025, the Foundation for Children with Disabilities (FCD) hosted      Dousa-Hou Academic Seminar in Bangkok, marking 29 years since Dousa-hou, the Japanese method of movement, was introduced to Thailand. The event, co-organized between the Osaka Dousa-Hou Society and the FCD.  There were around 50 participants  in-persons and about 1,000 participants via online at Facebook Live.
 

The program featured opening remarks by Dr. Prapote Petrakard, Chairperson of the FCD., a keynote speech by Mr. Koichi Tani of the Osaka Dousa-Hou Society, and a panel sharing experiences from practitioners and parents. Representing the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), Mr. Somchai Rungsilp delivered the closing remarks, highlighting the importance of continued cooperation to promote family-based rehabilitation and disability inclusive development for children with disabilities.

Dousa-Hou is an intregrated body-mind therapy which was created by Dr. Naruse Gosaku. Then Dr. Prapote Petrakard of FCD. initiated to introduce this approach in Thailand from 1996 by cooperation with Osaka Dousa-Hou Society conducting training staff and parents of children with cerebral palsy in Thailand. Now Dousa-Hou becomes famous and one of powerful rehabilitation process among teachers and parents of children with disabilities in Thailand.

The seminar reaffirmed nearly three decades of progress and the enduring friendship between Thailand and Japan in advancing disability rehabilitation services.

Dr. Prapot Petrakard, president of the Foundadtion for Children with Disabilities delivered the opening address and special lecture at the Dousa-Hou Academic Seminar.

Mr. Koichi Tani from the Osaka Dousa-Hou Society gave a key note presentation on the principles and history of Dousa-Hou

Panelists from Thailand and Japan shared their experiences and insights on implementing Dousa-Hou in the community.

Mr. Somchai Rungsilp from APCD delivered the closing summary at the Dousa-Hou Academic Seminar.

Key participants and organizers from Thailand and Japan gathered for a commemorative group photo after the seminar.

On 8 August 2025, the Foundation for Children with Disabilities (FCD) hosted      Dousa-Hou Academic Seminar in Bangkok, marking 29 years since Dousa-hou, the Japanese method of movement, was introduced to Thailand. The event, co-organized between the Osaka Dousa-Hou Society and the FCD.  There were around 50 participants  in-persons and about 1,000 participants via online at Facebook Live.
 

The program featured opening remarks by Dr. Prapote Petrakard, Chairperson of the FCD., a keynote speech by Mr. Koichi Tani of the Osaka Dousa-Hou Society, and a panel sharing experiences from practitioners and parents. Representing the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), Mr. Somchai Rungsilp delivered the closing remarks, highlighting the importance of continued cooperation to promote family-based rehabilitation and disability inclusive development for children with disabilities.

Dousa-Hou is an intregrated body-mind therapy which was created by Dr. Naruse Gosaku. Then Dr. Prapote Petrakard of FCD. initiated to introduce this approach in Thailand from 1996 by cooperation with Osaka Dousa-Hou Society conducting training staff and parents of children with cerebral palsy in Thailand. Now Dousa-Hou becomes famous and one of powerful rehabilitation process among teachers and parents of children with disabilities in Thailand.

The seminar reaffirmed nearly three decades of progress and the enduring friendship between Thailand and Japan in advancing disability rehabilitation services.

Ms. Thorfan Dechachainimit, Project Coordinator, ESCAP-DIEB, APCD engaged in ice-breaking activity with other participants to foster interaction and teamwork among participants.

Ms. Thorfan during the group discussion, sharing her ideas on violence against women and children, including children with disabilities, actively engaging in the brainstrom of the causes of violence and potential solutions.

A river mind map developed by the group, mapping the flow of violence-related issues affecting girls, boys, women, and children with disabilities, their root causes, available resources. The discussion also identified how much the youth have trusted in current protection systems, and considered of ways to improve.

Group photos of the participants in the Youth Consultation organized by UNICEF, with over 50 youths joining the session.

The UNICEF Thailand is working on the next five-year Country Programme, which is a roadmap that guides how UNICEF can effectively support children and young people across the country from 2027 to 2031. Ms. Thorfan Dechachainimit, APCD Disability-Inclusive Employment and Business (DIEB) Project Coordinator, attended the UNICEF Youth Consultation. The event aimed to gain young people’s perspective and inputs to ensure the next five-year plan reflects real challenges and the needs of young people.

The session was divided into thematic groups, with Ms. Thorfan joining discussions on violence against girls, boys, and women. The activity encouraged participants to identify the root causes of violence, map out available resources to address these issues, assess how much the younger generation trusts the existing protection mechanisms, and the ways for improvement. The session encouraged an open and engaging environment through collaborative dialogue and creative tools such as river mapping, allowing the exchange of perspectives and practical solutions.

There were more than 50 participants attended the event. APCD collaborates with UNICEF on promoting future plan to develop better life of children and youth in Thailand.

Welcome Remarks by H.E. Dr. Ratchada Jayagupta, Thailand’s Representative to the ACWC for Women’s Rights.

H.E. Mrs. Jatuporn Rojanapanich, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Social Development and Human Security delivered Opening Remarks.

Ms. Supaanong Panyasirimongkol, self-advocate with Autism, Officer, Networking & Collaboration, Community Development Department of APCD joined the group workshop.

Group Photo of Organizers and Participants of the Consultation Meeting. There were more than 40 participants joined this seminar.

Ms. NuNu Supaanong, an APCD Networking & Collaboration Officer and a self-advocate with autism, participated in the National Consultation Meeting on the ASEAN Guidance Note on Disability Inclusion in Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Policies and Programs. The event was organized by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) in collaboration with the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children and the United Nations Population Fund and took place on 7 August 2025 at Rajadamnoen Room, Royal Princess Larn Luang, Bangkok, Thailand.

Ms. NuNu shared the good practices of APCD on promoting a gender equality perspective in programme implementation for individuals with diverse disabilities through the APCD-DPI Korea Partnership Project. She also highlighted the barriers and hardships faced by individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with developmental disabilities, and the need for more inclusive and accessible programs.

The Japanese delegation and APCD staff posed for group photo following the welcome remarks.

Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD, delivered his welcome remarks to the Japanese delegation and highlighted APCD’s friendship with Mr. Yutaka Takamine, President of Empowerment Okinawa, who led the delegation.

Mr. Yutaka Takamine explained the purpose of the visit to APCD.

Delegates visited the “APCD 60+ Bakery & Chocolate Café and APCD 60+ Kitchen by CP project to observe disability-inclusive business initiatives in action and the study tour was led by Ms. Hiroko Itako, JOCV at APCD.

On 7 August 2025, the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) warmly welcomed a 13-member delegation from the Japanese Association of Social Workers, led by Mr. Yutaka Takamine, President of Empowerment Okinawa. Mr. Takamine has been closely connected with APCD since its founding, having worked with the United Nations ESCAP at the time.

The visit began with welcome remarks from Mr. Piroon Laismit, APCD Executive Director, followed by an introduction to APCD’s mission and diverse approaches to supporting individuals with disabilities and communities, presented by Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Manager of Community Development Department (CDD).

Delegates toured the “60+Plus” Program in collaboration with the Thai Yamazaki, MarkRin Chocolate and APCD 60+Plus Kitchen by C.P. operated the DIEB projects, an APCD initiative promoting disability-inclusive employment & business (DIEB), where they learned how decent job’s opportunities are created for persons with disabilities. The program provided a platform for sharing practical models and discussing inclusive economic empowerment and friendly working environments.

This visit marked a valuable step in strengthening mutual understanding and promoting future collaboration between Japan and Thailand in disability support and social work towards inclusiveness.

A group photo of staff from the Special Education Center of Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University and APCD.

Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD, gave a welcome address and expressed his gratitude to the visiting group.

Mr. Watcharapol Chuengcharoen, Chief of Networking and Collaboration at APCD, presented an overview of APCD’s programs, focusing on key concepts such as empowerment and building a barrier-free society to promote greater inclusion.

Ms. Wilailekha Somprach, Manager, 60+ Plus Bakery & Chocolate and 60+ Plus Kitchen by CP Projects, introduced APCD’s disability-inclusive business initiatives.

The visiting group observed the tangible impact of APCD's projects, including the 60+ Plus Bakery & Chocolate Café and the 60+ Plus Kitchen by CP.

On behalf of the group, Dr. Siriluck Prongsantia, Director of the Special Education Center, Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University, presented a token of appreciation to Mr. Piroon.

On 6 August 2025, 19 staff from the Special Education Center of Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University visited the Asia-Pacific Center on Disability (APCD) to learn more about its work in promoting disability-inclusive employment and business across the region. The visit was led by Dr. Siriluck Prongsantia, Director of the Special Education Center, Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University.

During the visit, Mr. Watcharapol Chuengcharoen, Chief of Networking and Collaboration, gave an overview of APCD’s programs. He talked about key ideas such as empowerment and building a society without barriers. Ms. Wilailekha Somprach, Manager, 60+ Plus Bakery & Chocolate and 60+ Plus Kitchen by CP Projects, introduced APCD’s disability-inclusive business initiatives, such as the 60+ Plus Bakery & Chocolate Café and the 60+ Plus Kitchen by CP.

Ms. Supaanong Panyasirimongkol (NuNu), APCD Networking Officer, and Ms. Thorfan Dechachainimit, APCD DIEB Project Coordinator, led the group in observing the real impact of APCD's programs. They were impressed by what they learned and gained a deeper understanding of the importance of disability inclusion in the region.

Group photo of youth delegates from the Vietnam Youth and Children Support Center and staff coordinators from the DCY with APCD staff.

Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD, welcomed the delegates and provided welcome remarks.

Mr. Jeerasak Klomkleang, DCY Social Development Officer, and representative from Vietnam Youth and Children Support Center presented a souvenir to Mr. Piroon Laismit.

The delegates learned about Universal Design at APCD Training Building.

Department of Children and Youth facilitated and connected 10 Youth Delegates from the Vietnam Youth and Children Support Center for the cultural Exchange Program in Thailand on 30 July – 5 August 2025. This program is conducted with the aim of promoting mutual understanding among youth aged 16–25 from both countries through cultural exchange, traditions, lifestyle, and various perspectives by participating in learning activities and social interaction. The program emphasizes building awareness among youth to appreciate cultural diversity, enhance cohabitation skills in multicultural societies, foster cross-cultural communication, and encourage creative participation in social activities. Moreover, it serves as a platform for regional cooperation between Thailand and Vietnam.

Ms. Thorfan Dechachainimit, APCD DIEB Project Coordinator, facilitated the introduction and Mr. Piroon Laismit, APCD Executive Director, delivered Welcome Remarks. Furthermore, Mr. Watcharapol Chuengcharoen, APCD Chief of Networking & Collaboration presented APCD Regional Activities and Ms. Supaanong (NuNu) Panyasirimongkol, APCD Networking & Collaboration Officer facilitated APCD Facilities tour together with Mr. Watcharapol.

All Youth Delegates have Lunch at APCD 60+ Kitchen by CP and give positive feedback to the study tour to APCD.