Service development approach to improve the quality of life of the disabled BangKrabue Sub-district, BangKhonthi District, SamutSongkhram Province

Abstract

The objectives of this study were (1) to describe the characteristics of the service provisions to enhance the quality of life of individuals with disabilities in Bang Krabue Subdistrict, Bang Khonthi District, Samut Songkhram Province, (2) to identify problems and obstacles to provisioning the services to enhance the quality of life of individuals with disabilities in Bang Krabue Subdistrict, Bang Khonthi District, Samut Songkhram Province, and (3) to offer guidelines for developing the service provisions to enhance the quality of life of individuals with disabilities in Bang Krabue Subdistrict, Bang Khonthi District, Samut Songkhram Province.             This study employed a qualitative approach. Data were collected from documentary evidence, non-participant observations, and in-depth interviews with 28 individuals, including administrators and officers of Bang Krabue Subdistrict Municipality, administrators and officers of Bang Krabue Health Promoting Hospital, village health volunteers (VHV), community leaders, teachers, in non-formal education, and caregivers of individuals with disabilities, and they were analyzed by an inductive analysis.          Major findings: (1) on the characteristics of the service provisions to enhance the quality of life of individuals with disabilities in Bang Krabue Subdistrict, Bang Khonthi District, Samut Songkhram Province, they included (a) providing the services based on the needs of individuals with disabilities through a comprehensive, suitable, and fair welfare system, (b) providing the services on a regular basis by monitoring and support in all dimensions of the action plan for enhancing the quality of life of individuals with disabilities at the local level, (c) providing the services based on clearly defined operating protocols and regulations without discrimination, (d) providing the services based on the cost-saving principles by requesting for budget subsidies from related agencies in the public and private sectors, and (e) providing the services based on the principles of convenience with clearly defined operating protocols and addition of modern technology, (2) on the problems and obstacles to provisioning the services to enhance the quality of life of individuals with disabilities, they included (a) officers providing the services to individuals with disabilities lacking the knowledge and understanding of the work system, (b) complicated delayed budgetary utilization, and (c) malfunctioning community audio broadcasters and insufficient prosthetic devices; and (3) on the guidelines for developing the service provisions to enhance the quality of life of individuals with disabilities, they included (a) the services provided based on the needs of individuals with disabilities, (b) the services consistently provided to alleviate the quality of life of individuals with disabilities with the use of electronic media promoted, (c) the services provided based on the principles of equality with operations carried out in compliance with rules, regulations, codes of conduct, and ethical standards, (d) the services provided based on the principles of cost-effectiveness by coordinating with internal and external agencies regarding requests for support funding, and (e) the services provided based on the principles of convenience and speed.