Highlights
- Thammasat University’s DSS Center provides comprehensive support for students with disabilities, including resources for mobility, hearing, and visual impairments.
- More than 85% of graduates with disabilities secure employment each year, demonstrating the effectiveness of the university’s “Students with Disabilities Project.”
- The center offers tailored academic counseling, assistive devices, and approximately 25 scholarships annually, along with external funding opportunities.
- The DSS Center features a common room for relaxation and study, along with specialized equipment, and promotes universal design initiatives to improve campus accessibility.
Thammasat University is committed to creating an accessible, equitable, and inclusive environment for all students with disabilities through its Disability Support Services (DSS) Center. The center offers comprehensive support for students with mobility disabilities, hearing impairments, visual impairments, and more, ensuring that every student has the resources they need to succeed. Recognized for its “Students with Disabilities Project,” Thammasat University significantly enhances educational opportunities, leading to over 85% of graduates with disabilities securing employment each year and equipping them with essential skills for the labor market.
Key Services Offered by the DSS Center
1. Academic Counseling and Guidance
The DSS Center provides academic counseling not only to Thammasat students but also to high school students with disabilities. This support includes:
- Guidance Sessions: Promoting the admission program and assisting high school students with disabilities during the examination process to ensure equal opportunities.
- Preparation for University: Hosting orientation meetings for newly admitted students with disabilities, even offering online sessions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Training Programs: Providing relevant training, such as Microsoft Office workshops for students with vision impairments.
2. Assistive Devices and Instructional/Learning Materials
- Customized Instructional Materials: The DSS Center provides course materials in formats that accommodate various disabilities, including braille for students with visual impairments and audiobooks for those with hearing impairments.
- Assistive Devices: Every student with disabilities at Thammasat University has the right to necessary assistive devices. Each student receives a laptop and a voice recorder, along with additional tools based on their specific needs
3. Scholarships, Grants, and Internships
- Scholarship Opportunities: The DSS Center offers around 25 scholarships each year, each valued at 55,000 baht (approximately US$1,500) for students with disabilities in need of financial assistance.
- External Funding: The center actively seeks additional funding and scholarships from private and government agencies, including initiatives like the “Engineering Charity Golf 2022.”
4. Tutoring, Examination, Mentoring, and Service Center Common Room
- Tutoring: There are English tutoring sessions by the teacher at the language center available for students with disabilities, and the center is planning on hosting more tutoring sessions in the future
- Examination Accommodations: The center is responsible for preparing examination materials that are suitable for each student’s specific needs.
- A Variety of Facilities Exclusively for Students with Disabilities: The center features an office area and a common room. The office includes four recording rooms and 28 computers with screen reader software and image magnification devices. Open Monday through Saturday, the common room is a space for academic activities and relaxation.
5. Dormitory and Buddies
- Housing Support: The DSS Center ensures that every student with a disability who wishes to stay on campus is provided with a dormitory accommodation without exception.
- Buddy System: Students can request a buddy or volunteer staff member for additional support, along with the provision of assistive devices tailored to their needs.
6. Physical Environment Enhancements
- Universal Design Initiatives: The DSS Center promotes universal design in university buildings to improve accessibility. Over 20 projects have been implemented to enhance the physical environment, including ramps and accessible pathways.
- Museum Accessibility Projects: Key projects focus on making museums accessible for blind visitors. This includes the installation of elevators and braille blocks, as well as using sound and touch to present exhibition objects. Audio descriptions are provided via guides or audio devices, and replicas of authentic objects are made available for a richer learning experience.
Innovative Engineering Solutions
In addition to the DSS efforts, the Faculty of Engineering has contributed innovative solutions:
- Plug & Go Wheelchair: An award-winning design aimed at enhancing mobility for people with disabilities and seniors.
- Electric Wheelchair Design: In 2022, another student team developed an electric wheelchair for paraplegics, receiving a gold award for innovative design.
The DSS Center at Thammasat University provides comprehensive support for students with mobility disabilities, hearing impairments, visual impairments, and more, ensuring that every student has the resources they need to succeed. Thammasat University is recognized for its “Students with Disabilities Project,” which enhances educational opportunities. with these efforts. Over 85% of graduates with disabilities find employment each year, equipping them with the necessary skills for the labor market.
For more information regarding the supports and services that the center provides, please refer to:
Support and Services of the Student Disability Center
This Able .Me
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