A Visit to the National Association
of the Deaf in Thailand

The office of the NADT in Bangkok The National Association of the Deaf in Thailand (NADT)was established in 1984 and today has almost 1400 members all over Thailand, supported by four regional centers. This is some of the staff of the main office in Bangkok.

The director of the NADT in the computer training classroom Here Surachet Lertsajayan, the deaf manager of the NADT, shows the classroom for computer training at the main office in Bangkok. Teaching computers if one of the ways the NADT seeks to help deaf people in Thailand find better employment.

Deaf workers in the NADT woodworking shop One of the programs supported by the NADT for employment and training of deaf people is a woodworking shop.  Here two deaf men are constructing small wooden chairs for children. The workshop is quite well equipped with modern tools. This workshop also produces wooden blanks for use in a crafts workshop on another floor of the NADT building.

A deaf worker producing handicraft items On the third floor of the NADT center, five or six deaf men and women produce some really high quality craft items, mostly made of wood. The little hand-painted figures shown here represent the unique garb worn by various tribal groups in Thailand. The deaf staff were eager to check with me about the appeal and acceptance of various items they were making from pictures in catalogs and magazines.

The handicrafts workshop Another view of the third-floor workshop where mostly wooden handicrafts are made. The work is excellent. The problem is always finding markets for the products.

Working with a deaf client The NADT has four centers spread around Thailand. Here the staff works with a deaf man who has come to them with a problem. Approximately 25 people work at this Bangkok center.