RMUTL is committed to creating an inclusive and equitable academic environment that reflects both the university’s mission and Thailand’s national education policy for persons with disabilities, as stated in the Persons with Disabilities Education Act B.E. 2551 (2008) and the Ministerial Regulation on Educational Support (2011).
According to the DSS-ManualMhesi.pdf guidelines, higher education institutions must:
- Ensure equal access to education for persons with disabilities without discrimination (Sections 4, 5, and 9).
- Provide reasonable accommodations, assistive devices, and learning materials (Sections 6–8).
- Establish a dedicated center or committee responsible for promoting inclusive education.
RMUTL fulfills these mandates through the Division of Student Development (DSD) and its Disability Support and Services (DSS) Center, which coordinate policies, facilities, and welfare systems that empower students and staff from underrepresented groups.
Together, these structures represent a sustainable and institutionalized model for achieving SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities, especially in higher education accessibility and inclusive participation.
Diversity and Equality Office / Officer
RMUTL has formally designated the Division of Student Development (DSD) and the Disability Support and Services (DSS) Center as the responsible entities for inclusion, diversity, and equality.
Under MHESI and MSDHS guidelines, every university must appoint specialized staff to manage inclusive education and develop Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). The DSS Center meets this requirement by employing three professional specialists in disability support and rehabilitation. Their duties include:
- Advising administrators on inclusion policy, anti-discrimination, and accessibility standards.
- Coordinating individualized assistance, equipment loans, and educational accommodations.
- Managing staff and student welfare under equal opportunity principles.
- Providing training on diversity awareness and disability rights for academic staff.
This organizational structure demonstrates RMUTL’s institutional compliance with the national framework under Article 5 and 9 of the Persons with Disabilities Education Act, ensuring that equality governance is both structured and functional at the university level.
Support for Underrepresented Groups
RMUTL implements a variety of support measures for students and staff from vulnerable backgrounds, focusing on empowerment, participation, and personal development.
1. Holistic Support System
Students and staff with disabilities are officially registered under the care of the DSS Center. The team provides direct assistance for:
- Medical appointments and specialized physiotherapy.
- Academic leave coordination for rehabilitation.
- Welfare management such as scholarship facilitation, job search, and participation in inclusive activities.
- Personal development programs and training aligned with MHESI’s “Quality of Life for Persons with Disabilities” initiative (2019 revision, DSS Manual pp. 36–42).
2. Academic and Psychological Counseling
The DSD provides academic and mental health counseling through certified psychologists and academic advisors. Regular consultations help students navigate challenges related to coursework, adaptation, and social inclusion.
3. Awareness and Inclusion Activities
Two key activities in 2024–2025 promoted awareness and community participation:
- June 28, 2024 – “Open Forum on Educational Equality”, aimed at promoting Re-Skill, Up-Skill, and New-Skill opportunities for students from vulnerable backgrounds.
- August 9, 2024 – “Annual Meeting for Students with Disabilities”, focusing on equal access, rights awareness, and collaborative peer support.
These events embody the MHESI directive requiring universities to “promote equality and provide education that meets diverse individual needs” (DSS Manual, Section 5.2).
Accessible Facilities
RMUTL continuously upgrades its physical and technological infrastructure to ensure barrier-free access for students, staff, and visitors with disabilities.
Based on the Ministerial Regulation on Building Design for Persons with Disabilities (2015) and the MHESI manual (Chapter 3, pp. 25–27), RMUTL ensures that all campus development projects integrate universal design principles. Current implementations include:
- Construction of ramps, accessible restrooms, and reserved parking zones.
- Installation of elevators with tactile buttons and visual-audio indicators in multi-story buildings.
- Accessible signage and low-height service counters for wheelchair users.
- Digital accessibility, including screen-reader-friendly websites, captioned online lectures, and accessible library e-resources.
Accessibility improvements are monitored annually by the University Building and Maintenance Division in cooperation with the DSD and DSS Center.
These initiatives fulfill MHESI’s requirement that “educational institutions must provide environments conducive to learning for students with disabilities and ensure physical access to all facilities” (DSS Manual, Section 6.3).
Disability Support Services
The DSS Center is RMUTL’s primary mechanism for disability inclusion, fully aligning with Section 4–8 of the Persons with Disabilities Education Act B.E. 2551.
Core Functions:
- Case Management and Individualized Support:
Each student with a disability receives a personalized support plan detailing their accommodations, learning aids, and special arrangements. - Service Coordination:
The DSS Center collaborates with hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and the Social Development and Human Security Office to provide health and social welfare support. - Assistive Technology and Grants:
The Center manages the Assistive Device Loan Program and the Educational Grant System, both supported by MHESI funding. - Inclusive Participation and Co-op Integration:
The DSS Center assists in arranging Cooperative Education placements for students with disabilities, ensuring inclusive professional experience.
These services adhere to the MHESI guideline requiring institutions to “provide learning assistance and support services appropriate to the individual’s disability” (DSS Manual, p. 30).
Disability Access Schemes (Mentoring and Targeted Support)
RMUTL promotes targeted support programs to foster autonomy, participation, and leadership among students with disabilities.
1. Individualized Support and Mentorship
Under DSS supervision, each student is paired with a peer mentor (“Buddy”) who assists with learning, mobility, and campus engagement. The program promotes social integration and mutual understanding between students with and without disabilities.
2. Mentoring and Employment Pathways
The DSS Center collaborates with the Cooperative Education Division to design inclusive employment experiences. Students are matched with supportive employers, ensuring that work environments accommodate their needs while enhancing career readiness.
3. Personal Empowerment and Skills Development
Workshops and training sessions—such as “Empowerment for Independent Living” and “Soft Skills for Inclusive Workplaces”—equip students with life skills, communication strategies, and leadership capabilities.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation
Progress is reviewed through the DSS Information System, which collects feedback from students, mentors, and faculty to refine accessibility measures and mentoring frameworks.
These programs directly fulfill the MHESI Manual’s Section 5.4 directive: “Universities shall establish targeted programs, mentorship systems, and peer assistance to promote learning and self-development among students with disabilities.”
| Activity / Policy | Objective | Participants | Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishment of DSD and DSS as Equality Offices | To institutionalize diversity and inclusion governance | DSD, DSS staff, students | RMUTL Administration; MHESI |
| Academic, health, and welfare support | To provide comprehensive assistance for students and staff with disabilities | Students and personnel with disabilities | DSS Center; Hospitals; Social Welfare Offices |
| “Open Forum on Educational Equality” (June 28, 2024) | To promote inclusion and skill development for vulnerable groups | Students, staff, public | DSD; MHESI |
| “Annual Meeting for Students with Disabilities” (Aug 9, 2024) | To review progress, exchange experiences, and promote rights awareness | Students with disabilities; faculty; DSS team | DSD; DSS Center |
| Accessible campus infrastructure | To ensure barrier-free environments and digital accessibility | University community | Building Division; ICT Office |
| Assistive Device Loan and Grant Programs | To provide equal learning resources and technology access | Students with disabilities | DSS Center; MHESI |
| Buddy and Mentorship Scheme | To enhance academic and social inclusion | Students with disabilities; peer mentors | DSS Center; Faculty Advisors |
| Co-op Inclusion Program | To provide fair employment and internship opportunities | Students with disabilities; employers | Co-op Education Division; Private Sector Partners |
RMUTL’s inclusive system represents an exemplary model of how universities can operationalize equality, accessibility, and diversity principles within Thailand’s higher education framework. Through the integration of the Division of Student Development (DSD) and the Disability Support and Services (DSS) Center as official equality offices, the university provides coordinated oversight of inclusive governance, accessible infrastructure, mentoring programs, and individualized support services. These structures ensure that every student and staff member — regardless of disability, background, or status — can fully participate in the academic and social life of the institution.
By strictly adhering to the Persons with Disabilities Education Act (B.E. 2551 / 2008) and the Ministerial Guidelines for Inclusive Higher Education (MHESI) as outlined in DSS-ManualMhesi.pdf, RMUTL fulfills its national obligations while advancing the global principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
The university’s initiatives — such as assistive device loan programs, inclusive cooperative education placements, and empowerment workshops — highlight a long-term commitment to inclusion, independence, and equity.
Moreover, RMUTL actively encourages and supports all students and staff, including non-disabled individuals, to assist and care for students with disabilities throughout their time at the university. This community-centered approach builds empathy, social responsibility, and a shared sense of belonging within the campus.
In addition, RMUTL allocates budgetary and institutional support to promote projects, initiatives, and academic research that focus on improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities across all disciplines. Faculty members and students from diverse academic fields — engineering, education, health sciences, design, and information technology — are encouraged to develop innovations, research studies, and outreach projects that enhance accessibility, assistive technology, and inclusive living.
These commitments go beyond compliance; they embody RMUTL’s core philosophy of fostering an equitable, compassionate, and sustainable learning environment.
Source Links
- DSS-ManualMhesi.pdf – Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI), 2018 Edition.
- Chapters 3–6: Inclusive Education Standards and Institutional Responsibilities.
- Key Sections: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 (Rights to Education, Non-Discrimination, Individual Support).
- Division of Student Development (DSD) – RMUTL
https://std.rmutl.ac.th/ - SDGs RMUTL Portal – Equality and Inclusion News
https://sdgs.rmutl.ac.th/ - “Open Forum on Educational Equality” (June 28, 2024)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1596994821252281&set=pcb.1596997981251965 - “Annual Meeting for Students with Disabilities” (August 9, 2024)
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=487065867357512&set=pcb.487067084024057 - Persons with Disabilities Education Act, B.E. 2551 (2008) – Thailand.