Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability(APCD)

Benja Chonlatanon

Chairperson
The Committee for Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD)

Background

The Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities started in 1993 and will end this year (2002). Thailand, as a UN ESCAP member country has been working very hard to promote full participation and equality of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Thai society. Some of the Thai government 's efforts are : the enactment of Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons Act in 1991; the issue of Ministerial Regulations Nos 1, 2, and 3 regarding employment and criteria of disabilities and eligibility for medical rehabilitation in 1994; and the enactment of the new constitution in 1997. There are also the government's Declaration of the Rights of Disabled Persons in 1998 ; the implementation of the new National Education Act that ensures equal opportunities to education of PWDs in 1999; and the issue of Ministerial Regulation No.4 regarding accessibility in 1999.

The fact that Thailand was a recipient of the 2001 Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) International Disability Award, the Thai government and people have committed to play a leading role in international cooperation on disability. During 1998-2001, Thailand has considered its cooperation with the Japanese Government for establishing an Asia- Pacific regional center on disability. In May 2000, the National Committee for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons appointed a Committee for establishment of the Center.

The Committee also officially requested the Government of Japan for its cooperation. In addition, in 2001 the Thai cabinet approved the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Development Center in Thailand and the allocation of specific budget for the center. It was with the Crown Princess' consent that the FDR award money be utilized as seed money to set up an endowment fund or a foundation to ensure the sustainability of the Center.

The government of Japan as an important counterpart of Thailand, has been discussing the Thailand-Japan Cooperation on the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) since August 2002 by sending three Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) missions on Technical Cooperation. It has also played an important role to get the 29 ESCAP countries' support of the Center at the 58th ESCAP Commission Session. In addition, in August 2002, the Japanese Government sent the Japan's Grant Aid Basic Design Mission to work together with the committee for APCD in designing the facilities and equipment for the Center. The Technical Cooperation Project for the Center was also kick-started in August 2000. The Grant Aid Agreement is expected to be signed by both countries at the beginning of the year 2003 and the construction of the Center is expected to start in April 2003.

The Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability

Overall goal and objective

Its overall goals and objectives are:

• Promotion of empowerment of PWDs and barrier-free society in developing countries of the Asia-Pacific region;
• Supporting of relevant organizations on disability to network, share information and develop human resources toward empowerment of PWDs and barrier-free society in developing countries of the Asia-Pacific region.

Activities and Services

• Networking of relevant organizations
• Information support
• Human resource development on disability.
  Two other activities will be added in the near future :
  • - Promotion of disability-related research and development (R&D)
  • - Promotion of human rights concerning disability issues

Target fields for human resources and technical development through the Center

• Towards empowerment of PWDs in society:
  • - Independent living
  • - Community-based rehabilitation
  • - Capacity building of self-help organizations of PWDs
• Towards barrier-free society :
  • - Non-handicapped environment
  • - Accessible information and communication technology
  • - Inclusive education
  • - Indigenous assistive devices

Target users or participants of the Center's activities / services

• Networking and information support
  • - Local governmental organizations
  • - Relevant non-governmental organizations
  • - Relevant international organizations
• Human resource and technical development
  • - Responsible individuals in target fields
  • - PWDs
  • - Relevant organizations in developing countries of the Asia-Pacific region

Organization type and finance of the Center

• Phase I (Oct 2002)~ : the Center will be established as a Division of disability concerned department under the new Ministry of Social Development and Human security. Thai government budget and subsidy from relevant funds can be used for the Center. The amount is expected to be about US$ 600,000 (for 5 years). The foundation will also be established.
• Phase II (around Oct 2004)~ : the Center will become a public organization under the law of Thailand.

Note: For further inquiries regarding the APCD, please contact: Dr. Benja Chonlatanon E-mail: bchonlatanon@hotmail.com