The Role of Communication and Information Access for Persons with Disabilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand: A Qualitative Research
2
Issued Date
2025-06-01
Resource Type
eISSN
22115242
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105012886787
Journal Title
Disability Cbr and Inclusive Development
Volume
36
Issue
2
Start Page
40
End Page
54
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Disability Cbr and Inclusive Development Vol.36 No.2 (2025) , 40-54
Suggested Citation
Chansomdee R., Cheausuwantavee T. The Role of Communication and Information Access for Persons with Disabilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand: A Qualitative Research. Disability Cbr and Inclusive Development Vol.36 No.2 (2025) , 40-54. 54. doi:10.20372/dcidj.748 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/111675
Title
The Role of Communication and Information Access for Persons with Disabilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand: A Qualitative Research
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Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to explore the role of communication and information access for Thai persons with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: The study employed a qualitative research approach, with an in-depth inter-view, as well as on-site and online focus groups. Criterion and snowball sampling were used to select participants. A total of 71 participants were recruited from different regions of Thailand. Results: This research identified the role of communication in helping persons with disabilities and their caregivers during crisis time, separated into different levels of commu-nication. First, the self-reflection, the particular context influenced persons with disabilities to play different active and passive roles in surviving the COVID-19 crisis. Second, group communication was beneficial in various aspects, such as gaining social capital and strengthening family cohesion, and these contradict some recent studies that reported sib-ling conflict during the lockdown. Finally, there was unequal access reflected from the mass communication level, and there was no critical, timely information, and insufficient accessibility support for PWDs in mainstream media. Conclusion: Overall, this research advocates for a multi-level communication policy that ensures the inclusion of PWDs in crisis management. Recommendations include strengthening the role of Disabled People’s Organizations, enhancing digital accessibility, and in-corporating family-based communication support in social policies.