Global Campuses Foundation: Universal Design in Chiang Mai

Global Campuses Foundation (GCF) was formed for the purpose of providing advanced learning opportunities for underserved populations worldwide, but first and foremost people with disabilities. The philosophy and methodologies of Global Campuses offer a unique education paradigm that reorients the experience of disability to a positive life experience with an emphasis on ability. In 2001, Global Campuses Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)3 was founded by James and Sheryl Tewksbury, two seasoned college faculty members in the areas of disability studies and women’s history. They decided to bring their passion for higher education and cross-cultural experiences to the formation of GCF’s mission of participating with, and supporting, adults with differing abilities worldwide to create, manage, and sustain campuses of advanced learning to enhance their lives.

Global Campus Chiang Mai Thailand (GCC) began as a gathering of people with disabilities who shared common needs, challenges, hopes and dreams, and the Demonstration Campus of the Global Campuses Foundation formally started operations in July, 2002. The GCC is led entirely by people with disabilities, and they serve as administrators, faculty members, students, and field outreach staff. The vision of the GCC is to provide a network of campuses fostering advanced learning opportunities for adults who experience disability, and its mission is to facilitate collaborative learning for adults of all abilities.

The initial courses organized by the GCC centered on day-to-day skills and workforce training such as sewing, electronics, computer skills, and more. As campus participants grew in self-awareness, the curriculum theme evolved to include disability pride and celebration of ability, confidence, and stewardship skills. Campus members soon carried this principle into the greater Chiang Mai area, and actively engaging in community service, they began to assess and address issues of access, and other human rights vital to the disabled community. Moreover, the Global Campuses Foundation honors the natural value of all people and their right to create and pursue education throughout life. They believe that education has the power to uplift, dignify, and honor all lives and they are committed to helping people understand those within the culture of disability. By providing an equal-opportunity environment that fosters respect and communication, the Global Campuses Foundation recommits to creating, updating, and sustaining workplaces and educational campuses that reflect and celebrate the diversity of our community, and one in which all people are respected and valued (Global Campuses Foundation, 2021).

According to the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, “Universal Design is the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability. An environment (or any building, product, or service in that environment) should be designed to meet the needs of all people who wish to use it” (CEUD, 2020). The important role of Global Campus Chiang Mai Thailand (GCC) in the community in Chiang Mai is to drive changes for those with disabilities, by helping the general public understand disability culture and also develop skills training for them, pushing society to greater awareness of universal design. They also work with the various faculties in the university to construct knowledge about people with disabilities and the importance of universal design, especially for students or the new generation, so that they understand the goal of universal design. That is, to allow users with different abilities to interact with a product effectively, not just with regards to equitable use, but also so that it is beneficial for both users and businesses. This can be achieved by building value and creating new opportunities, such as for traveling foreigners from other countries.

The Global Campus Chiang Mai Thailand (GCC) is based in Chiang Mai University at Suthep sub district, Chiang Mai. We interviewed Ms. Kachakorn Thaveesri or Kachakorn, who is now the GCF Regional Director, Southeast Asia. Kachakorn is a founding core group member of Global Campus Chiang Mai, who later became the director when it opened in July, 2002. She has steadily evolved as a strong natural leader well known for her successful counseling and facilitating skills, and she loves to encourage the sharing of stories, dreams and learning experiences amongst everyone she meets. In 2009, Kachakorn became the GCF Regional Director for Southeast Asia, and now oversees campus development in Thailand and surrounding countries. Growing in confidence over the years, Kachakorn has confirmed her belief in the power of higher education to enhance the lives of all people, thereby making the world a better place; a world of friendship, love, caring and peace. Kachakorn loves her family and animals, and although she has a lot of cats in her house, she especially loves dogs. In addition, she also loves to express herself through many forms of art. She completed her bachelor’s degree in 2014 through Sukhothai Thammathiraj University. (Global campuses foundation, 2021)

Interview

Interviewees
Ms. Kachakorn Thaveesri (GCF Regional Director: Southeast Asia)

Q: We would like to hear about how you started the GCF, please?

Kachakorn: It was started about 20 years ago, through the persuasion of friends. They encouraged me to find out more about the issues and I became a co-founder of the organization. I admit that the work we did 20 years ago was very difficult, because in the context of Thai society, people with disabilities are unable to do anything on their own. They must rely on others. As a result, the work has been largely ignored with different opinions from within society.

Q: What are your responsibilities in the organization?

Kachakorn: Currently, I work as a GCF Regional Director for Southeast Asia, in Thailand and surrounding countries. Me and my team are all people with disabilities. We mainly work by providing advice and organizing activities that promote the ability of people with disabilities to be able to have a career and live on their own in society, and also push the issue of universal design in Thai society.

Q: What are the organization’s objectives?

Kachakorn: The goal is to promote and support social equality for people with disabilities. This means helping with education, welfare development, and career-building for people with disabilities, so that they can be proud of themselves and live happily.

Q: What has been the most difficult thing to deal with so far?

Kachakorn: The hardest thing for me has been to change the mindset of people in society, especially those in the family, who think that people with disabilities can’t develop or live on their own. Also local authorities, who do not understand how people with disabilities can improve themselves. It is difficult to change these things and make the situation more beneficial to people with disabilities.

Q: Eventually, what will people with disabilities and society get from the organization?

Kachakorn: The most visible thing is the restructuring or designing of things to be of universal design, not just for people with disabilities but for everyone; kids, pregnant women, the elderly etc. Also the provision of opportunities for people with disabilities to work, travel, and lead a happy life in society.

Q: What is the important role of the organization in the area and to the people of Chiang Mai?

Kachakorn: We are providing knowledge and understanding of capacity development of people with disabilities in the local area and pushing for Universal Design to be adopted in Chiang Mai. As Chiang Mai has a lot of universities, youths from different areas come together here, and this is a good chance for us to work with them in pushing the issue of universal design. Also, Chiang Mai is an economic area that many foreign tourists visit, and that is why entrepreneurs in Chiang Mai must pay attention to what we are doing.

Q: How long do you think it will take for Thai society to realize and understand the importance of Universal Design?

Kachakorn: I think it will take a long time. Maybe in the next generation, or maybe not, because we cannot change people’s beliefs that easily. However, now the organization is pushing universal design and developing the capacity of people with disabilities with other organizations and universities. We believe that the actions of the next generation of youth will lead to changes in society in the future.

Reflections

Global campuses foundation is an organization driven by people with disabilities that also provides support and assistance to people with disabilities. In terms of developing their own potential, this allows them to live, work, and earn their own living normally. Moreover, they are pushing universal design into society through cultivating and educating young people about equality and social diversity. Even if it is still quite difficult, because most of society thinks that people with disabilities cannot improve themselves, the organization believes that someday Thailand will become a space for everyone and an area known for ​​equality in the global society.

References

Global Campuses. (2021). Southeast Asia Campuses. Global Campuses. Southeast Asia Campuses — Global Campuses.

What is Universal Design? Retrieved from https://universaldesign.ie/what-is-universal-design/

Interview with Kachakorn Thaveesri. GCF Regional Director: Southeast Asia. (2022, June 24).
Faculty Advisor : Assistant Professor Dr. Alicha Treerotchananon

Researchers

Hi everyone ! My name is Acharaphon Kanjai, but my friends call me May. I am a senior student at Chiang Mai University. I’m studying Marketing Communication and my major is mainly the study of Public Relations. I live in Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand. I enjoy working with people and also love to travel to new places. In my free time I love watching movies and playing games. I am also an animal lover because they are really wonderful and make my heart calm.

 

Hi everyone ! My name is Pawich Wongkamhang, but my friends call me Simon. I am a senior student at Chiang Mai University, majoring in Marketing Communication, minoring in Humanities and English. My main focus for study is in the area of Public Relations. I love working in a team and learning new things.