The 3^rd Ratchasuda International Conference on Disability 2016:
Empowerment through Holistic Approach

Ratchasuda College, Mahidol University, held the 3^rd Ratchasuda International Conference on Disability 2016 under the theme "Empowerment through Holistic Approach" from April 28^th – 29^th, 2016 at the Hotel Windsor Suites and Convention, Bangkok. This conference was co-hosted with Curtin University, Australia, Ratchasuda Foundation, Thailand and Workability, Thailand. In this occasion, Associate Prof. Tavee Cheausuwantavee, Ph.D., Dean of Ratchasuda College, Mahidol University gave the welcome speech and Emeritus Prof. Poonpit Amatyakul, the first Director of Ratchasuda College, Mahidol University and Secretary General of Ratchasuda Foundation gave the opening address for the opening ceremony. There were over 200 participants from various countries; namely Australia, Japan, India, Laos, USA and Philippines participated the 2-day conference.

In this conference, Ratchasuda was honored to welcome Mr. Monthian Buntan, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), and the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Thailand to deliver a keynote address entitled "Empowerment Through Holistic Approach: Disabled People Organization Movement and Service Providers" on the first day of the conference. On the second day of the conference, we were honored to welcome Assoc. Prof. Angus Buchanan, Head of the School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work, Curtin University, Australia to deliver a keynote speech entitled "Empowerment Through Holistic Approach: Persons-centered Services toward Inclusive Society". The conference was also honored to welcome Mr. Somchai Charoen-umnuaisuke, Director General of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities to give policy speech on "Effectiveness Collaboration for Inclusive Employment and Job Opportunity for PWDs" and Mr. Arak Prommanee, Director General of the Department of Employment, Ministry of Labor, Thailand to give policy speech on "Guideline and Implementation for Inclusive Employment and Job Opportunity for PWDs". This conference promoted collaborations and built networks among organizations working in the disability field. This conference also allowed persons with disability and professionals who worked with and worked for persons with disability opportunities to exchange their knowledge and share ideas on issues such as education, rights, laws, media and technology through paper presentations of their academic work and research. Other activities included the panel discussion on "Challenges and Keys to Success in Interdisciplinary Approach to Promote Quality of Life of Persons with Disabilities"; "Empowering Persons with Disabilities through Health and Educational Provisions"; "Building an Inclusive Employment and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem for PWDs"; and "Assistive Technology and Universal Design toward Accessibility and Human Dignity". Exhibition booths related to disability were also available throughout the conference.