In the past, the handicapped in Thailand were margianlalised because of perceived inabilities, or simple lack of understanding by the general public. Not only that, facilities were not designed to accommodate their needs.

     Once this problem was identified, the DSS CMU (Disability Support Service of Chiang Mai University) was set up to overcome this challenge, appointing Associate Professor Dr. Ratchaneekorn Thongsukdee as president to oversee the development of a disability-friendly campus, under the oversight of the Faculty of Education, Chiang Mai University.

     In 2005, the first group of disabled students – numbering under a handful – were matriculated into the university. These three or four students were mainly those with hearing impairment. It was then that the Student Development Division, Chiang Mai University officially formed the DSS CMU with the aim of working on a campus which could absorb more students with a variety of disabilities.

     There are currently 44 disabled students enrolled at Chiang Mai University. Some have hearing difficulties, others sight, while others have mobility challenges or are autistic and struggling with learning difficulties. Between them, these students are dispersed across twelve faculties and one college, from Humanities, Education, Fine Arts, Medical Technology, Social Sciences, Science, Economy, Political Science and Public Administration, Business Management, Agriculture, Architecture and Law, as well as the College of Arts Media and Technology. Each faculty would weigh in as to whether the student is eligible or has the ability to suitably study the subjects applied for.

    DSS CMU acts as the main facilitator to ensure a seamless transition into university life, encouraging the disabled students to participate and learn as any other student. The general population of students also benefit greatly from studying and living alongside their disabled peers, encouraging empathy and the understanding of one another. The DSS CMU role is to assist in any challenges disabled students face, whether academic or as part of campus living, working to create the best environment for all.   

    For a disabled student to graduate from Chiang Mai University, an ecosystem of support comes in to play – from time to finance as well as complex coordination between various members of faculties and student groups.

According to Atchara Sriplakich, Director of Student Development Division Office of University; Chiang Mai University, there are currently 11 staff working full time at the Student Development Division; head of department, content creator for the sight-impaired, sign language translators as well as personnel to assist the mobility disabled. Each member of staff is tasked with caring for between 2 - 6 students, depending on the student’s special needs and requirements.

      “What is truly important for disabled students is to elevate their academic standards to a level that they can participate fully in learning. Many schools teach different forms of structuring a sentence, for instance. Schools for the disabled may also vary in terms of academic strength, therefore it is often important to offer tutorials at various levels, to be provided to each student. The cost of extra tuition in computer or language skills, for instance, could run up to the hundreds of thousands of baht.

      English language is a particular challenge for students with hearing impairment. While disabled students may be as dedicated as any other student, they may need a different type of test for their English skills from those who are not hearing impaired. These students may be asked to do more presentation or home work, aided by their sign language aides. Some classes may take up to an hour and a half to two hours, requiring up to two sign language translators, switching over every fifteen to twenty minutes.”

     Apart from personnel support, the university has also invested in infrastructure, creating a Universal Design which includes ramps in faculty buildings as well as dormitories, allocating Women’s Dorm 3 for disabled students, by providing lifts, ramps as well as the CMU Shuttle for All, which also has an access ramp for wheelchairs.