Two Blind Thai Students Gain Places At Top University

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Two blind students gain places at top university

By WANNAPA KHAOPA

THE NATION

Pair win entry to Chula despite dependence on 'tiring' Braille texts

After a long and hard attempt, two blind secondary students have finally won places at one of the country's prestigious universities. But the "success" does not only mean happiness just yet, it also means many challenges lie ahead, waiting for them to rise to the occasion again.

You might know Damkerng Mungthanya, 18, from St Gabriel's College, and Nichakarn Kaveevorayan, 19, from St Francis Xavier Convent School from news reports after the central university admission results were announced early this month. They were among other "normal" students who passed the admission. The pair are set to become freshmen at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Education early next month.

Damkerng and Nichakarn told The Nation they had worked really hard to do well in their studies before achieving their goal, especially when compared to their friends who live without disabilities.

They said using their hands to note down Braille texts when they were in class made them very tired and they had to do that more slowly than others who just used pens. Both were often unable to follow what their teachers said.

While other students just needed to finish their homework after going back home, Damkerng and Nichakarn had to do more. Not only the homework, they also had to get their mothers to read the contents from their friends' notebooks to them to check any details they may have missed in class so they could include them in their own textbooks.

"We've worked twice as hard for years to get good academic results," Damkerng said.

Aside from studying in class, they also faced problems when taking many tests for the central university admission, in which they had the same time limits as other students.

"I could not answer all the questions in time. Reading Braille texts takes longer. It was tough for me when I read long passages and listened to conversations - a new conversation started while I was reading the question for the previous conversation," Nichakarn said.

She said that tests with pictures or geometry images were also difficult for the blind to imagine as some assistant staff could not explain them clearly.

To help other blind students who will take the tests from next year on, Damkerng called for provision of staff assistants who know technical terms or are skilled in subjects that blind students will take tests in.

Despite poor facilities for the disabled, such as inadequate Braille textbooks, an inconvenient travel environment and more difficulty studying, both said they would try hard to overcome the challenges they would face at university.

They are now trying to find existing Braille textbooks used by a blind alumnus who graduated from the faculty many years ago and repair a Braille printer, with help from faculty lecturers.

Both will have to compete again with other students without disabilities, and sit a test to be selected to study English as their main subject, as most students at the faculty want to study the subject.

They said they now felt excited and a little worried about making friends when they start the first semester at the new study place.

Many more universities in Thailand, such as Thammasat University (TU), Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) and Rajabhat universities have extended educational opportunities to the disabled to study together with "normal" students so they can learn to live together and help each other.

TU has its Disabled Student Services Centre that provides technological tools needed by students with different disabilities to enable them to study. TU last year recruited 20 disabled students to study in seven faculties.

SWU has the Disabled Support Service Centre, which also provides technological tools for students, translation service and consultants.

Suan Dusit Rajabhat University has recruited around 20 students annually for years and 70 per cent of them were deaf. The university had connections with deaf schools. With more deaf students, the university provided many facilities and staff for them, one of its public relations spokespeople Nattanit Sirisatjanuruk said.

However, Assist Prof Usanee Anuruthwong, a lecturer at SWU's Department of Special Education's Faculty of Education, said less than one per cent of university students nationwide had disabilities.

Professor Wirun Tangcharoen, president of SWU, said it had just established the National Research and Development Institute for Special Education, which would support disabled students and others with special needs at the university.

The institute would also link every university and relevant agencies across the country to provide them consultant services, its director Assoc Prof Daranee Saksiriphol said.

-- The Nation 2011-05-16

[sirchai]

Not only the homework, they also had to get their mothers to read the contents from their friends' notebooks to them to check any details they may have missed in class so they could include them in their own textbooks.

Actually a great idea in the 21st century. Their mothers should get an award as well.

Where were the fathers? :jap:

[krishnak]

these two guys are really hardworking pople , i wish that their dreams of getting a degree , becomes true, good luck for them

[TheWalkingMan]

Very well done.

TheWalkingMan

[Geeraphun]

With all the dark and gloomy news these days it is GREAT to see such a nice story about these girls. I also agree that the families, teachers and other students are a big part of their success however they are the only ones who could actually make it happen. Good for these girls and I see them as an inspiration for other "handicapped" students to try try try. ))

As to the post "were was the father". Maybe he was working in order to help with his daughters education. Please do not turn this lovely news article into trash by saying things like that.

[sbk]

Unfunny troll post removed.

[sbk]

With all the dark and gloomy news these days it is GREAT to see such a nice story about these girls. I also agree that the families, teachers and other students are a big part of their success however they are the only ones who could actually make it happen. Good for these girls and I see them as an inspiration for other "handicapped" students to try try try. ))

As to the post "were was the father". Maybe he was working in order to help with his daughters education. Please do not turn this lovely news article into trash by saying things like that.

I agree with you, this is not an appropriate place for a troll post of that nature.

Additionally, going by the names, Damkerng is a boy and Nichakarn is a girl

[pogal]

Yes, it is good news for these students, well done to them:)

This has made me wonder though, after teaching for 15 years in Thailand at many different schools, I have never ever seen a blind student...

Where do all the blind students without money study? Would be interested to know.

[Nowhereman60]

This should not be news, this should be something that just part of life. But here in Thailand it makes the front page. Wow we are really proud of you Thailand. Good luck to the two students.

[sirchai]

With all the dark and gloomy news these days it is GREAT to see such a nice story about these girls. I also agree that the families, teachers and other students are a big part of their success however they are the only ones who could actually make it happen. Good for these girls and I see them as an inspiration for other "handicapped" students to try try try. ))

As to the post "were was the father". Maybe he was working in order to help with his daughters education. Please do not turn this lovely news article into trash by saying things like that.

I truly believe that it's a good start for more handicapped students to have such a chance. Let's hope that more will change in the educational sector. Good luck for them.

I know that teachers don't have to force students to help handicapped ones, Thai students are mostly great.

Sorry, about the fathers. I meant to say that in most cases the mothers are doing all that their kids succeed. :jap:

[Hermes100]

This is really good to see. Having done some work with the blind I know how hard life can be for them. This show's that this beautiful land is really making progress.

[andrew55]

A tremendous achievement. Good luck in their future studies. It must be so difficult here. Their successes and publicity of same will do so much to make it easier for future generations. Good kharma guys. Gunna take a while though, especially in the 'Outback'.