Background

The Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) is a regional center on disability and development established in Bangkok, Thailand, as a legacy of the Asia and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons 1993-2002, with joint collaboration of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Royal Thai Government, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Government of Japan. In corporation with more than 30 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, APCD is managed by the APCD Foundation under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Siridhorn.

The APCD collaborated with JICA through its technical cooperation project (APCD/JICA Project Phase 1: August 2002 – July 2007, Phase 2: August 2007 – July 2012) with a strong commitment to empowering persons with disabilities, and promoting a barrier-free society in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Since 2013, the new regional policy framework “Incheon Strategy to Make the Right Real, 2013-2022” has been a basis of disability-inclusive development in the region. One key element that has been tasked to APCD is to promote Community-Based Inclusive Development (CBID) and empowerment of emerging groups. Thus, APCD builds the capacities of persons with disabilities and DPOs as “Agents of Change” especially focusing on CBID and Disability-Inclusive Business DRAFT(DIB) to promote a barrier-free, Inclusive and rights-based society for all through the empowerment of persons with disabilities and disabled people’s organizations in Asia-Pacific.

The JICA/DPUB training program in Thailand, with the theme “Implementation of CRPD in collaboration with Government of Mongolia”, is organized to strengthen the implementation of the Law of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and to reinforce the Agency of Disability and Development, which is established in September 2018 in Mongolia. The Government of Mongolia has ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2009 and approved Domestic Law of the Rights of Persons with Disability. On the other hand, there are serious social barriers existing in Mongolia. It is rather difficult for persons with disabilities (PWDs) to think about a barrier-free society in Mongolia. Moreover, people tend to think PWDs as vulnerable and persons in need. This perception is another barrier of social participation of PWDs on top of environmental barriers.

In this situation, the Mongolian government would like to address the needs of all individuals living with disabilities, their families and caregivers, in line with CRPD effectively supporting their evolvement to achieve barrier-free lives characterized by autonomy, pride, self-worth and dignity. It is also to promote the 4th Asia-Pacific CBR/CBID Congress scheduled to take place in Ulaanbaatar City, Mongolia in 2-3 July 2019.

Therefore, a tailored design course arrangements were set up by APCD and JICA for participants from government entities, NGOs, and JICA working with/for the welfare of persons with disabilities in Mongolia.

Executive Summary

Recognizing the need for an efficient and effective training program, JICA/DPUB instigated a study tour (training) program in Thailand in collaboration with the Government of Mongolia. The study tour mainly focused on assessing the basic models used in the implementation of CRPD and inclusive best practices. It also focused on analyzing the relationship among the agencies involved in the disability movement, the methods used, and the performance outcomes achieved by the populations served.

Twelve (12) participants including 2 JICA experts (resource persons) and 2 interpreters (English to Mongolian and Sign Language) successfully completed the training on the theme “Implementation of CRPD” in collaboration with the Government of Mongolia. The main training objectives were to ensure enforcement of the law on Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities, create an environment where persons with disabilities participate in social life on an equal basis with others, to get their voices heard at the decision-making level and to change public attitudes towards them. As training progressed, several broad factors became increasingly clear with respect to the hierarchy system and how well it is working in terms of the Thailand Disability Movement.

The methods used to deliver training were customized to meet the needs of participants and the training components were drawn frDRAFTom the knowledge, skills and adaption from the perspective of disability-inclusive development. The trainings were facilitated by experts on the field of disability.

On the first day of the training, APCD shared a comprehensive implementation overview on Regional Activities on Disability and Development. It also conveyed Disabled Inclusive Business (DIB) initiative to provide employment opportunities and company policies on employing persons with disabilities. Disabled People International (DPI) and Disability Thailand (DTH) effectively shared information on the Disability Movement and exchanged good practices on how the Thai government works for implementation of CRPD in collaboration with Thai associations for persons with disabilities. On the second day, participants visited the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (subway system in Bangkok) to audit the physical aspects of the MRT, keeping elements in mind throughout the audit such as signage, illumination, color contrast and flooring. Participants also exchanged knowledge on how Thai government is working for public transportation from the perspective of Universal Design (UD) in collaboration with business partners. The next visit was at the Dialogue in the Dark located at National Science Museum under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Participants had experienced the lesson of ‘seeing’ without eyesight. The exhibition was based on Thai context, which aims to provide exciting and value experience in the dark. On the same day, participants visited the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC). It focused on research and development to respond to 7 industrial target groups in accordance with the National Economic and Social Development Plan, and the delegates from Mongolia had very fruitful lectures on the following topics:

- The experience in ICT Accessibility in Thailand

- Software Tools for Students with Learning Disabilities in Thailand

- An Accessible Book for All

- A Real-Time Transcription System

On the third day, participants visited the Redemptorist Foundation for Persons with Disabilities under the program on “Promotion of Social Participation of Persons with Disabilities” in Pattaya City. Participants were impressed with the volume of their activities on the empowerment of persons with disability and management of employment opportunities since 30 years of operation.

Likewise, on the fifth day, delegates from Mongolia visited UNESCAP and learned about UNESCAP's mission in the Asia-Pacific Region, SDGs Roadmap in Asia and the Pacific, and exchanged prospective on "Disability Movement and International Instruments on Disability". The participants had an opportunity to learn about "Welfare System for PWDs in Thailand" by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEP), Ministry of Social Development and Human Security on the sixth day. Similarly on the same day, participants had a question-and-answer session on "CRPD's Situation, Implementation and Challenges on Promotion of Social Participation of Persons with Disabilities" facilitated by a member of the United Nations Monitoring Committee for the CRPD.

Reflection, Project-Based Stimulation, Evaluation, and Certificate Awarding Ceremony of the Training Program took place on the last day of the training. This was followed by the 4th Asia-Pacific Community-Based Inclusive Development (4th AP CBID) Congress Promotion Seminar. Around 50 participants took part in the seminar, where JICA/DPUB Technical Cooperation Project Promotion of Social Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Ulaanbaatar, in collaboration with Government of Mongolia and APCD successfully fostered agencies associated with persons with disabilities, the private sector, and civil society actors, to leverage potential PWDs to participate in the upcoming 4th AP CBID Congress that is going to take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on 2-3 July 2019.

Implementation Measures

The history of collecting quantitative data on persons with disabilities among the countries of the world dates back 1800s. Particularly, the last 60 years saw sharp increase in the number of countries that collect data on disabled members of the societies. As of today, over 198 countries in the world have been estimated to release disability statistics through over 700 different censuses and population-based measures and surveys.

Mongolia has been handling and developing the statistics on persons with disabilities though the use of official statistics and administrative records and data.

In accordance with the relevant clauses of Law of Mongolia on Statistics, the statistics on persons with disabilities is developed in compliance with the tools and indicators approved by the National Statistics Authority.

The report released by the National Statistics Authority indicates that the number of persons with disabilities as of 2016 is 100,993 of which 40.8% is genetic and 59.1% has acquired disabilities caused by household accidents, occupational accidents, and diseases.

The number of persons with disabilities is alarming and the need to address the situation is vital in order to ensure equal rights vis-a-vis their social, cultural and economic well-being. Therefore, the JICA/DPUB training program in Thailand was one of the initiatives reinforced by JICA Technical Cooperation Project Promotion of Social Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Ulaanbaatar City, Mongolia in collaboration with Government of Mongolia/ NGOs, DPOs and APCD to strengthen the implementation of the Law of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and to reinforce the Agency of Disability and Development in Mongolia.

The training program intended to implement the best practices learned on disability development in line with CRPD in Thailand to design successful activities and programs as an integrated strategy are as follows:

- Develop and implement a strategic plan to improve the quality of lives of persons with disabilities and their families.

- Develop a comprehensive program that affect the provision of services for persons with disabilities

- Harmonize and improve policies to support persons with disabilities.

- Implement an effective system of employment opportunities and insurance.

- Develop national and state capacity to disseminate and support implementation of the national standards for a comprehensive policy to effectively incorporate the issues of persons with disabilities.

- Establish and incentivize the best practices benchmarking the national standard.

- Expand services based on inclusive best practices.

- Revise the framework based on a collation of best practices from several organizations.

- Promote the 4th AP CBID Congress scheduled to take place on 2-3 July 2019 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Encourage more participants from Thailand to submit abstracts and to participate in the Congress on the theme “Sustainable Social Development and Economic Growth through Community-Based Inclusive Development (CBID).

List of Participants

Government of Mongolia

Ms. Sanjmyatav Regzen

Ministry of Labor and Social Protection

Ms. Tsogtoo Ganchimeg

General Authority for Development of Persons with Disabilities

Mr. Khishigsuren Ganbaatar

Social Policy Section, Ulaanbaatar City Hall

Ms. Nyam-Osor Shurentsetseg

Ministry of Labor and Social Protection

NGOs/DPOs

Mr. Tseden Oyunbaatar

Mongolian National Association of Disabled People Organizations

Ms. Badamgarav Otgontuya

We Can NGOs

Ms. Batchuluun Battsetseg

Down Syndrome Association

Ms. Jigjid Dulamsuren

Mongolian National Association of the Deaf

Sign Language Interpreter

Ms. Serod Byambadelger

Mongolian Association of Sign Language Interpreters

JICA

Mr. Chiba Hisao

JICA Expert ( Resource Person)

Mr. Higashida Masateru

JICA Expert ( Resource Person)

Ms. Tseden-Ish Odgerel

JICA Project Staff

List of Resource Persons

Ms. Saowalak Thongkuay

Disabled Peoples’ International Asia-Pacific (DPI/AP) Regional Office

Dr. Arunee Limmanee

Member of DTH Executive Board

Ms. Natagamon Rungtim

Expert on Accessibility Audit

Ms. Wantanee Wanthachart and Dr. Nanthanun Thudpikul

Topic 1: “Telecommunication Accessibility”

Mr. Nattanun Thatphithakkul

Senior Researcher

Accessibility and Assistive Technology Research Team Assistive Technology and Medical Devices Research Center

Dr. Ananlada Chothimongkol

Topic 2: “Media Accessibility”

Miss Ananlada Chotimongkol

Senior Researcher

Accessibility and Assistive Technology Research Team Assistive Technology and Medical Devices Research Center

Dr. Onintra Poobrasert

Topic 3: “AT for LD”

Miss Onintra Poobrasert

Senior Researcher

Accessibility and Assistive Technology Research Team Assistive Technology and Medical Devices Research Center

Senator Monthian Buntan

Expert on CRPD (a member of the United Nations Monitoring Committee for the CRPD)

Ms. Suporntum Mongkolsawadi

Regional Director, The Redemptorist Foundation for Persons with Disabilities

Ms. Aiko Akiyama

Social Affairs Officer, UNESCAP

Ms. Vijita Rachatanantikul

Expert on Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Dis-abilities (DEP)

Mr. Somchai Rungsilp and Mr. Sunthorn Nowarat

APCD

Thai-English Interpreter

Ms. Jitpisuth Tantasiri

Evaluation and Recommendations

Satisfaction on content and execution of the training program

Usefulness of the activity

Excellent (72.73%)

Very Satisfactory (27.27%)

Overall content easily understandable

Excellent (72.73%)

Very Satisfactory (18.18%)

Satisfactory (9.09%)

Understanding of the importance of the topics

Excellent (72.73%)

Very Satisfactory (27.27%)

Delivery of the topics by the resource person

Excellent (63.64%)

Very Satisfactory (36.36%)

Appropriateness of the venue of activities

Excellent (100%)

Overall program

Excellent (81.82%)

Very Satisfactory (18.18%)

Satisfaction on Logistic Arrangement

Time Management

Excellent (90.91%)

Very Satisfactory (9.09%)

Transportation

Excellent (90.91%)

Very Satisfactory (9.09%)

Accommodation

Excellent (63.64%)

Very Satisfactory (36.36%)

Organizer

Excellent (90.91%)

Very Satisfactory (9.09%)

Overall Logistic Arrangement

Excellent (90.91%)

Very Satisfactory (9.09%)

Recommendations

The following sets of recommendations have been generated through actual evaluation forms given to 11 participants to suggest any changes or improvements to the training:

1) There should be more in-depth trainings like this one, to reinforce the Government, local NGOs and associated agencies.

2) A regular exchange of training among countries and within the country is a must for further mutual learning and understanding.

3) Training was focused only on improving understanding; it would be better if it incorporated diverse knowledge and explicitly engaged all aspects of disability development.

4) Time emphasized more on lectures sections and given less time for question and answer. There should be enough time to elucidate all the queries of the participants for productive outcomes.

5) Some topics were not related to the issue; it was time consuming and irrelevant.

Photo Gallery

13 February 2019

Photo of Mongolian delegates' arrival

14 February 2019

Opening ceremony at APCD

Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD, delivering a welcome speech

Mr. Chiba Hisao, JICA Expert, delivering the opening speech

Dr. Arunee Limmanee (Member of DTH Executive Board), Ms. Saowalak Thongkuay (Representative from Disabled People’s International Asia-Pacific Regional Office), and Mr. Somchai Rungsilp (Manager, Community Development Department, APCD) sharing the Thailand experience in the Disability Movement

Ms. Tsogtoo Ganchimeg (Representative from the General Authority of Development of Persons with Disabilities) presenting souvenirs from Mongolia to resource persons

15 February 2019

Ms. Natagamon Rungtim sharing her expertise on Accessibility Audit at the Mass Rapid Transit Authority

Delegates having an orientation before experiencing the valuable lessons “in the dark” at Dialogue in the Dark

Lecture session at National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC)

Presentation and question-and-answer session at Redemptorist Foundation

16 February 2019

Delegates at Pattaya Redemptorist Foundation with resource persons and APCD staff

Proud Alumni of Redemptorist Foundation Mr. Watcharapol Chuengchareon (Chief, Collaboration and Networking, APCD) and Ms. Siriporn Praserdchat (Logistic and Training Officer, APCD) with the Director of Redemptorist Technological College for Persons with Disabilities Mr. Udomchok Churut and Mr. Chiba Hisao, JICA expert

Group photo with participants

18 February 2019

Presentations on “Disability Movement and International Instruments on Disability” at UNESCAP

Delegates at UNEA SCAP Conference Hall

19 February 2019

Ms. Vijita Rachatanantikul, Expert on Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEP), Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, presenting an overview of “Welfare System for PWDs in Thailand”

Senator Monthian Buntan, Expert on CRPD and also a member of the United Nations Monitoring Committee for the CRPD, sharing his perspective on “CRPD’s Situation, Implementation and Challenges on Promotion of Social Participation of Persons with Disabilities”.

20 February 2019

Mr. Chiba Hisao, JICA Expert Chief Advisor, facilitA ating the training-based stimulation session

Delegates holding certificates after successful completion of the Study Tour (training) program in Thailand

Promotion Seminar of 4th Asia-Pacific Community Based Inclusive Development (4th AP CBID)

Group photo with the deligates from Mongolia

Photo of the report's CD cover