Mr. Piroon Laismit, APCD Executive Director, presented the certificate of completion and an appreciation letter to Ms. Menghan Wu (Valora), student intern from China.

Ms. Valora presented on Disability Inclusion in China.

APCD staff listened and gave her questions and comments on her final presentation.

Mr. Piroon congratulated Ms. Valora on her successful completion of the internship program at APCD.

A group photo highlighting Ms. Valora, Mr. Piroon Laismit, and APCD staff.

Mrs. Haruthai Sirisinudomkit, Director, Strategy and Plan Division, DEP delivered the welcome remarks.

The participants from the focus group reviewed, comment and sharing the informative discussion during the meeting.

Working group reviewed participants’ challenges and solution of CRPD feedback.

Group photo of participants, APCD facilitators and organizer.

Mr. Watcharapol Chuengcharoen, Chief, Networking & Collaboration, APCD facilitator took self-introduction and gave personal background.  

Ms. Siriporn Praserdchat, Logistics Officer, APCD introduce herself and shared DET objective to the participants.

Mr. Watcharapol demonstrated a social model exercise to improve the quality of services and accessibility for persons with disabilities.

Participants with physical disabilities actively engaging in the DET session to enhance empowerment and advocacy for persons with disabilities.

Ms. Siriporn gave a souvenir to one of the active learning participants.

Group photo of students and teachers from the Nakhon Pathom School for the Deaf along with APCD resource persons.

Mr. Watcharapol Chuengcharoen, Chief of Networking & Collaboration and Ms. Hiroko Itako, a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV), facilitating DiDRR activities with the support of a sign language interpreters.

Ms. Hiroko Itako, a JOCV, introducing Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) tools to the students who live with hearing impairments and development disorder.

 The students engaging in a DRR card game, learning key DRR concepts.

Representatives from the school presenting souvenirs to the APCD facilitators after the session.

Group photo of participants with the certificate from the course attendance.

Mrs. Saranpat Anumatrajkij, Director of ATCSW delivered a welcome remark on the opening program.

H.E. Anukul Peedkaew, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Thailand delivered opening remarks.   

A unit of group photo of Thai participants and APCD staff with executive’s organizer at the opening course.

APCD staff attended the course actively.

Overall participants from ASEAN Member States (AMS).

The field visit to Bung Yitho Rehabilitation Center, Pathum Thani province which was one of the field visit programs of the course.

APCD staff took photo with Mrs. Saranpat Anumatrajkij, Director of ATCSW on the completion of course attendance. 

The Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) marked a significant milestone with the graduation ceremony for its APCD60+ Vocational Skills Training Program for Persons with Disabilities. This employability initiative, a cornerstone of APCD efforts for the year 2024, has been made possible through the generous support of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEP), operating under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security of the Royal Thai Government.

The ceremony celebrated the achievements of the program participants, who have completed comprehensive training designed to enhance their employability and integrate them into the workforce. The event not only recognized the graduates' hard work and dedication but also highlighted the collaborative efforts between government agencies and non-profit organizations in promoting inclusive employment opportunities.

Adding to the significance of the occasion, representatives from APCD partners, including Thai Yamazaki Co., Ltd. and Black Canyon Co., Ltd., were present to show their support. Their attendance underscores the growing commitment of the private sector to fostering an inclusive work environment and recognizing the valuable contributions of persons with disabilities.

The graduation ceremony serves as a testament to the success of public-private partnerships in creating meaningful opportunities for persons with disabilities. It also reflects APCD ongoing mission to empower persons across the Asia-Pacific region, equipping them with the skills necessary to thrive in various industries.

As the graduates embark on their new career paths, APCD and its partners extend their heartfelt wishes for the continued success of these skilled individuals. This event marks not just the end of a training program, but the beginning of new chapters for the graduates and a step forward in building a more inclusive society.

The Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) took a significant step towards fostering new partnerships as it welcomed a distinguished guest from the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD, hosted Mr. Kirati Kosicharoen, Executive Vice President and Head of both the Corporate Social Responsibility Group and Corporate Communication Group at SET.

The meeting, held at the APCD 60+ Bakery & Chocolate Cafe, provided a unique setting for discussions on potential collaborations between the two organizations.

The talks was on exploring synergies between APCD's mission to empower persons with disabilities and SET commitment to corporate social responsibility. Both leaders expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of combining their expertise and resources to create more inclusive opportunities in the business sector.

This meeting represents an important step towards bridging the gap between disability inclusion and the corporate world. It highlights the growing recognition of the value that persons with disabilities can bring to diverse industries and the role that major institutions like SET can play in promoting inclusive practices.

As discussions progress, both APCD and SET look forward to developing concrete initiatives that could set new benchmarks for disability inclusion in the corporate landscape of Thailand and potentially across the Asia-Pacific region.

The Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) and the Centara Life Government Complex Hotel & Convention Centre Chaeng Watthana jointly celebrated the graduation of participants from APCD innovative 60+ Vocational Skills Training program in Hospitality Business. This event marked the successful completion of internships by trainees with disabilities at the Centara Life property.

The graduation ceremony highlighted the fruitful collaboration between APCD and Centara Life, showcasing a model partnership between the non-profit and private sectors in promoting inclusive employment. This initiative demonstrates Centara Life's commitment to diversity and inclusion in the hospitality industry, setting a precedent for other businesses to follow.

Throughout their internships at the Centara Life Government Complex Hotel & Convention Centre Chaeng Watthana, participants gained invaluable hands-on experience in various aspects of hotel operations. This practical training has equipped them with the skills necessary to pursue careers in the competitive hospitality sector.

The success of this program underscores the potential of public-private partnerships in creating meaningful employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. It also reflects APCD's ongoing mission to empower individuals with disabilities across the Asia-Pacific region, while showcasing Centara Life's role as a leader in inclusive hospitality practices.

This collaborative effort between APCD and Centara Life serves as an inspiring example of how organizations can work together to promote disability rights and foster a more inclusive workforce in the hospitality industry.

His Excellency OTAKA Masato, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Thailand, extended an invitation to His Excellency Mr. Srettha Thavisin, Prime Minister of Thailand, and Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, referred to as the "Head of the Pheu Thai Family," to visit the JICA booth at the THACCA SPLASH: Soft Power Forum 2024. The event was held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC).

As supporters of the APCD project, the Embassy of Japan in Thailand and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Thailand Office showcased products from the APCD 60+Plus Bakery & Café. This initiative empowers persons with disabilities by providing them with employment opportunities in bakery making. Visitors to the booth could taste baked goods from the Thai Yamazaki Bakery, prepared and made by persons with disabilities participating in this inclusive project.

This visit highlighted the ongoing cooperation between Japan and Thailand in promoting inclusive development and empowering persons with disabilities through innovative, socially viable commercial enterprises.