Guidelines and Practices for Requesting Educational Support Funds for Students with Disabilities in Higher Education and RMUTL’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy
In accordance with the Education Provision for Persons with Disabilities Act B.E. 2551 (2008) and the Regulations of the Committee for the Promotion of Education for Persons with Disabilities B.E. 2552 (2009), persons with disabilities in Thailand are entitled to equal access to education at all levels.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), through the Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC), has established clear guidelines and criteria for requesting educational support funds to ensure that higher education institutions can effectively provide learning opportunities and reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.
This policy framework aims to promote educational equality and enable persons with disabilities to access and succeed in higher education institutions nationwide, including Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (RMUTL).
Guidelines and Procedures for Educational Support
1.Objective
The main objective of this funding program is to support students with disabilities to access higher education at both diploma and bachelor’s degree levels. The funding covers tuition fees, registration fees, and other education-related expenses.
2. Target Groups
Eligible applicants are students with official disability identification cards, studying in accredited higher education institutions (both public and private) that meet the quality standards set by the Ministry of Education.
3. Qualifications of Eligible Institutions
Institutions must:
- Be under the supervision of the Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC);
- Offer accredited programs suitable for students with disabilities;
- Have support systems and qualified staff to assist students with disabilities effectively.
4. Funding Rates (per student per academic year)
- Social Sciences, Humanities, Education: 50,000–60,000 THB
- Science, Engineering, Agriculture, Health Sciences: 70,000–90,000 THB
- Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science: up to 200,000 THB
If expenses exceed these limits, students must cover the remaining costs themselves.
5. Implementation Process
- Each university submits an annual policy and financial plan for the admission and support of students with disabilities to OHEC by September each year.
- Funding requests and supporting documents must be submitted within 60 days after the start of each semester.
- OHEC reviews and approves funding allocations.
- Institutions report the use of funds and student progress at least once a year.
Relevant Laws and Policies
Education Provision for Persons with Disabilities Act B.E. 2551 (2008)
- Section 5: Persons with disabilities have the right to free education throughout life and access to educational technologies, assistive devices, and services.
- Section 8: All higher education institutions are required to accept students with disabilities in an appropriate proportion and provide suitable learning environments and support systems.
Regulations of the Committee for the Promotion of Education for Persons with Disabilities B.E. 2552 (2009)
These regulations authorize higher education institutions that accept students with disabilities to receive financial support for tuition and educational expenses directly from OHEC or from the Fund for the Promotion and Development of Education for Persons with Disabilities.
MHESI’s Disability Accommodation Policy
MHESI requires all universities under its jurisdiction to implement “Disability Accommodation Policies” that include:
- Providing reasonable accommodations (e.g., ramps, elevators, accessible classrooms, assistive technologies);
- Establishing a Disability Support Service Center (DSS) to offer academic and personal support;
- Allocating adequate funding in the annual budget for disability services and facilities;
- Conducting monitoring and evaluation to ensure accessibility and effectiveness of accommodations.
RMUTL’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and Strategy
As a university under MHESI, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (RMUTL) has a strong commitment to supporting students with disabilities through its Reasonable Accommodation Policy. The university’s strategy aligns with MHESI’s guidelines and the Education for Persons with Disabilities Act.
Policy Principles
- Equal Access to Education
RMUTL ensures that persons with disabilities have equal rights and opportunities to study in all programs, without discrimination, and with full academic and social participation. - Accessible Environment and Technology
The university provides physical and digital accessibility, including ramps, elevators, accessible classrooms, assistive technologies (e.g., screen readers, audio aids), and learning materials in appropriate formats. - Adequate and Sustainable Funding
RMUTL allocates a dedicated annual budget for disability support and coordinates with MHESI’s Fund for Educational Support to ensure sustainable financial assistance for accommodations, facilities, and services. - Support Services and Inclusive Management
RMUTL operates a Disability Support Service (DSS) to provide individual learning plans, tutoring, counseling, and assistive equipment tailored to each student’s needs. - Monitoring, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement
The university monitors and reports annually on its disability inclusion practices to the MHESI and internal committees to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.
The educational support fund policy and the reasonable accommodation framework are vital tools for promoting equity in Thailand’s higher education system.
By implementing these measures, RMUTL ensures that students with disabilities not only gain access to education but also thrive academically and socially within an inclusive learning environment.
This commitment reflects RMUTL’s vision of being a “University of Opportunity and Accessibility”, where every individual — regardless of physical or cognitive ability — can reach their full potential.