BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand has commemorated the 2024 Miss Genevieve Caulfield Memorial Day with a focus on advancing education and quality of life for the visually impaired. This year’s theme was “85 Years of Education for the Blind in Thailand: A Strong Foundation for Advancing the Quality of Life for Persons with Disabilities.”
The event featured scholarship awards for students from various regions attending the Bangkok School for the Blind. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, presided over the ceremony and delivered a keynote address.
Minister Varawut expressed gratitude for the contributions of individuals with disabilities, emphasizing their potential to enrich society. He highlighted the importance of inclusivity across all demographics, particularly seniors and persons with disabilities, as Thailand faces an aging population.
The minister underscored his ministry’s role as a leader in employing persons with disabilities under legal frameworks. He advocated for employment opportunities based on talent, rather than limitations. Minister Varawut noted the unique skills many individuals with disabilities bring, such as heightened auditory abilities among the visually impaired.
He also emphasized the ministry’s shift from providing welfare to fostering empowerment. The goal is to unlock the potential of all groups, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to society and the economy. Efforts to enhance independence include promoting universal design and fostering collaboration between government agencies and private enterprises.
A key initiative highlighted at the event was the development of an app for visually impaired individuals. The app, funded by the Promotion and Development of Life Quality for Persons with Disabilities Fund, allows users to enjoy movies with audio descriptions. This innovation is a significant step toward greater inclusivity and improving quality of life for persons with disabilities.
The event concluded with Minister Varawut reaffirming Thailand’s commitment to the legacy of Miss Genevieve Caulfield, a pioneer in advocating for the blind. He expressed hope that ongoing collaboration across sectors would uplift persons with disabilities, ensuring no one is left behind in the nation’s progress. (NNT)
