Thailand-U.S. cooperation to promote the rights of persons with disabilities

On 27 September 2016, Ambassador Pisan Manawapat met with Ms. Judith Heumann, Special Advisor for International Disability Rights, and Mr. Scott Busby, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, U.S. State Department. The two sides discussed how Thailand and the U.S. can cooperate and learn from each other on the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.

Ambassador Pisan reaffirmed Thailand’s strong commitment on disability rights and briefed the U.S. side on the Thai Government’s progress in this regard. Thailand has a specific law on the empowerment of persons with disabilities. The Prime Minister himself chairs an inter-agency national committee to push forward agenda related to persons with disabilities, with all governors leading the provincial sub-committees. Persons with disabilities in Thailand also have access to interest free loans to start their businesses.

Special Advisor Heumann expressed the U.S.’ readiness to cooperate with Thailand, especially in the areas of accessibility, law enforcement, education for children with disabilities, and employment and training. Both sides look forward to strengthening partnership to ensure persons with disabilities can live in dignity and utilize their full potentials.

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Thanida Menasavet