Living Conditions of Children with Disabilities in Rural Thailand: Factors Leading to Life Change through Interventions

Yukiko Kumazawa (), Kyoko Terada, Ayako Satonaka, Michio Wachi and Noriyuki Kida
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Yukiko Kumazawa: Doctoral Program of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
Kyoko Terada: Department of Global Early Childhood Education, School of Early Childhood Education and Care, Ohkagakuen University, Toyoake 470-1193, Japan
Ayako Satonaka: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Aichi Shukutoku University, Nagakute 480-1197, Japan
Michio Wachi: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Science, Bukkyo University, Kyoto 604-8418, Japan
Noriyuki Kida: Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan

Social Sciences, 2024, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-14

Abstract: This study aimed to identify the characteristics and challenges faced by children with disabilities and their families living in rural Thailand, and understand the factors that bring changes in their lives through intervention. In a 2021 online survey on the quality of life of school-aged children with disabilities, approximately half of the respondents indicated that they were not enrolled in school. However, the factors responsible were not identified. Therefore, in 2023, we interviewed three children with disabilities in one of the target areas for the abovementioned survey to explore the correlation between the level of independence in the activities of daily living (ADL) and educational and rehabilitation opportunities. This study did not identify a clear correlation between the two factors. Furthermore, a hypothesis emerged that the changes in their lives are influenced more by environmental factors, especially personal factors such as social group awareness and attitudes, caregivers’ understanding and support, and individual relationships within the community. Further research is needed to develop environmental factor assessment tools for problem-solving in accordance with the regional characteristics of rural areas, assess the degree of functional independence of children with disabilities in daily life, and build regional support models.

Keywords: children with disabilities; rural areas; education; rehabilitation; wheelchair; activities of daily living (ADL); Thailand (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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