Support Services for Students with Disabilities in Thai Universities:
Satisfaction and Needs of Students and Service Providers

Piyarat Nuchpongsai¹, Teerasak Srisurakul¹ & Silvia M. Correa-Torres²

¹piyarat.nuc@mahidol.ac.th

Abstract

This study examined administration within Disability Support Service (DSS) offices in Thailand. Service provision in DSS offices and satisfaction and needs of service providers and students with disabilities were also explored. A survey that included structured interview questions was administered to 31 administrators of DSS offices. In addition, a needs and satisfaction questionnaire was used with 73 service providers and 204 students with disabilities who were part of the convenience sample for this study. Results indicated that most DSS offices in Thai universities are under the supervision of the Department of Student Affairs and that there is an average of three service providers per office. It was also found that DSS offices primarily provide Braille translation (67.74%) and equipment and assistive technology or software rental services (54.84%) for students. The service that seemed to be provided the least was counseling (19.35%). About 56.58% of service providers were satisfied with their work while 15.1% and 13.9% expressed dissatisfaction with university support and allocation of budgets respectively. Most service providers (84.8%) and students (77.4%) reported satisfaction with scholarships. Both service providers and students agreed that support for studying abroad is the greatest service need. Findings indicated that Thai DSS offices serve as one-stop centers and deliver services based on a reactive approach. In order to improve the disability support services, it is the responsibilities of university, faculty, DSS office, and student with disabilities and changing policy related to administration and crucial services that affect students' successful are proposed.

Keywords: Support services, DSS, Students with disabilities, Higher Education