Developing a proactive model for promoting the registration of persons with mobility disabilities through the participation of local agencies in Kantarawichai District.

Abstract

      The objectives of this research were to study the baseline data and needs, and to develop for evaluate a proactive promotion model for mobility disability registration through area-level stakeholder participation in Kantharawichai District. The study was conducted utilizing (Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology consisting of 3 cycles in collaboration with local networks, healthcare providers, and regional agencies.

      The research findings are as follows:

1. Needs Assessment Results: Overall, the need for developing the proactive model was high (PNI_Modified = 0.51), with the current state rated at a moderate level (= 3.02, S.D. = 0.60) and the desirable state at the highest level (= 4.57, S.D. = 0.53). When considering individual items, the highest need was the convenience of traveling to receive medical certificates at the hospital (PNI_Modified = 0.67), followed by having a mobile unit to assess disability at home (PNI_Modified = 0.64). This reflects that the greatest barrier for people with mobility disabilities in the area is accessing medical assessments at healthcare facilities.
2. Development of the Promotion Model: Cycle 1: The major obstacles identified were that Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) were overburdened with work and lacked standardized screening tools, resulting in inaccessible services for people with disabilities. Consequently, the researcher developed and refined a standardized, concise, and easy-to-understand mobility disability screening tool to reduce workload. Cycle 2: After a 3-month trial of the revised tool, the proactive screening became more efficient. Stakeholders suggested reducing procedural complexity, leading to the finalization of the "One-Stop Service Model for Mobility Disability Registration." This model integrates proactive community screening, medical certificate coordination, and benefit processing into a single system in Cycle 3
3. Satisfaction Evaluation Results: Overall, satisfaction with the implemented model was at the highest level (= 4.66, S.D. = 0.31). The top three items with the highest satisfaction scores were: faster access to benefits and convenience for people with disabilities (= 4.82, S.D. = 0.39), the mobile unit system reducing frontline staff workload ( = 4.78, S.D. = 0.42), and the model's ability to thoroughly locate and map previously undetected people with disabilities ( = 4.75, S.D. = 0.44), respectively.