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July 24, 2009
Dao Reuang - First Group of Self-Advocates in Thailand
The following information was downloaded from APCD website.
http://www.apcdproject.org/publications/2009/newsletter27/Dao.html
Thai persons with intellectual disabilities decided to set up their own self-advocacy group at the workshop held at APCD on 18th-19th March 2009. It's the first self-advocacy group of persons with intellectual disabilities in Thailand. The group was named Dao Reuang (Marigold in English) and the members selected 6 committee members, agreed on the annual membership fee and listed activities they would like to conduct together in the future. The list included supporting other persons with disabilities, helping homeless pets and playing sports.
The workshop organized by APCD in collaboration with the Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability of Thailand and the Association for Parents for Thai AutisticPersons brought together 15 persons with intellectual disabilities and 16 family members from Bangkok as well as from other provinces.
The workshop provided an opportunity for them to share their experiences, and learn from the Thai and Japanese resource persons. Five resource persons (2 of whom were self-advocates) who had attended a one-week training in Japan presented their learning concerning support systems and self-advocacy efforts. In addition, 3 Japanese resource persons (one self-advocate, one family representative and one supporter) shared their experiences and encouraged the formation of a self-advocates' group as well as support by family members.
The formation of Dao Reuang marks a very important first step in the promotion of self-advocacy in Thailand. APCD believes that with the eagerness of the self-advocates and effective support from others, Dao Reuang has the potential to become an active and sustainable group. APCD would like to watch how the group will grow and support its activities. In the near future, perhaps, Dao Reuang may become a role model for self-advocates with intellectual disabilities in other countries.
Posted by jicafriends at July 24, 2009 06:32 PM