NEEDS FOR WELFARE PROVIDED BY THE FUND FOR EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE AREA OF BAN THAT SUBDISTRICT MUNICIPALITY, PHEN DISTRICT, UDON THANI PROVINCE

Abstract

     The objectives of this research were to study the levels of needs for welfare provided by the Fund for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, and to compare the needs for welfare provided by the Fund for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities among people with disabilities in the area of Ban That Subdistrict Municipality, Phen District, Udon Thani Province. The sample group consisted of 204 people; including people with disabilities whose residents were registered in the area of Ban That Subdistrict Municipality, and subsequently calculated by Taro Yamane formula. The samples were randomized using stratified and accidental methods. This research employed questionnaires on needs for welfare provided by the Fund for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities as its data collection tool. The statistics for data analysis included percentage, average, and standard deviation. Difference between means was analyzed with T-test. Lastly, analysis of variance was conducted one-way (F-test).

     The results revealed overall needs for welfare provided by the Fund for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities among people with disabilities in the area of Ban That Subdistrict Municipality were at the highest level (𝑥̅ = 4.59). Among all types of needs, medical and public health, as well as social work needs, had equal, highest levels of averages (𝑥̅ = 4.63). The two aspects were followed by recreational needs (𝑥̅ = 4.61), educational and vocational development needs (𝑥̅ = 4.59), as well as residential needs—the aspect with the lowest level of average (𝑥̅ = 4.57). The overall results of comparison between independent and dependent variables revealed no differences, at the statistical significance of 0.05.