Gov. Khomsan Ekachai talks with disabled
residents at Chalerm Prakiet Pavilion in Chonburi.
Disabled Chonburi residents and aid organizations
learned about legal rights, obligations and benefits at seminar on the
2007 Handicapped Quality of Life Development and Encouragement Act.
Gov. Khomsan Ekachai opened the April 26 seminar at
Chalerm Prakiet Pavilion in Chonburi, which offered lectures on such
topics and job opportunities for disabled people.
Chonburi has 20,039 registered disabled residents
with 13,384 of those receiving a 500 baht per month disability benefit.
Only 726 registered disabled people are employed, working 226 companies.
Khomsan noted that the government has made helping
its disabled citizens a priority, passing laws to require private
businesses employ the disabled and pay into the disability stipend
program. Cities are also installing handicapped-accessible facilities
and equipment.
The disabled also received many benefits, he said,
including business loans, free train rides, and free interpreters for
the deaf and blind.
The Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization
and Pattaya City Hall also have been designated agents to accept
complaints, evaluate budgets and perform inspections under the 2007 law,
he said. (CPRD)
