Introduction

Chiang Mai University demonstrates its commitment to reducing inequalities through the Disability Support Service (DSS CMU), a specialized division serving as a comprehensive diversity support mechanism for students with various disabilities. This initiative exemplifies institutional efforts to promote equal access to quality education for underrepresented groups.

Comprehensive Inclusive Education

DSS CMU supports students with diverse disabilities including hearing impairments, visual impairments, physical disabilities, autism, and learning disabilities. These students are successfully integrated across multiple faculties, demonstrating genuine inclusive education practices that enable students with disabilities to pursue their academic goals alongside their peers.

Specialized Diversity Officer Services

Dedicated diversity officers provide individualized support through multiple essential services. Officers coordinate sign language interpretation services for students with hearing impairments, ensuring full access to classroom instruction and campus communications. They produce accessible media and materials for visually impaired students, converting standard educational resources into appropriate formats. Academic remediation programs address learning gaps arising from diverse educational backgrounds, while specialized tutors provide supplementary instruction tailored to individual learning needs. Diversity officers facilitate communication with faculty members to arrange reasonable accommodations and alternative assessment methods, ensuring equitable evaluation while maintaining academic integrity.

Universal Design Implementation

The university implements universal design principles throughout campus infrastructure. Accessibility features include wheelchair ramps in academic buildings and dormitories, adapted housing facilities with specialized accommodations, and dedicated transportation services with accessible boarding systems for students with mobility impairments.

Conclusion

DSS CMU’s diversity officers provide continuous, personalized support addressing multiple dimensions of educational inequality. By removing barriers to higher education access and ensuring equitable learning opportunities through reasonable accommodations, the university fosters an inclusive campus environment where students with disabilities can develop their full potential, representing sustainable institutional commitment to reducing inequalities for underrepresented student populations.

Reference:

https://sdgs.cmu.ac.th/th/ArticleDetail/f966e631-482a-4ebb-a919-c7d6f38e74b2

https://sdgs.cmu.ac.th/th/ArticleDetail/625ba85d-7bec-410f-a8d0-5dc4dd4dda48

https://sdd.oop.cmu.ac.th/department/dss