The accessibility of broadcasting services for persons with disabilities is a neglected issue. To date, broadcasting operators and TV program producers have not adequately considered the needs of persons with disabilities, or have placed them low on their priority list. This is likely due to the fact that Thailand's broadcasting services primarily focus on generating revenue through commercials. Operators tend to target the general audience and produce programs that appeal to them. As the commercial success is determined by the size of the audience, persons with disabilities, who constitute a small percentage, are often overlooked or their rights are violated.
The Act on Organization to Assign Radio Frequency and to Regulate the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Services B.E. 2553, Section 27 (13) is in place to safeguard the rights and liberties of the public from exploitation by operators, protect individual privacy rights and freedom of communication through telecommunications, and promote equal access and usage of frequencies for sound broadcasting, television broadcasting, and telecommunications services among the people. The Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, or Office of the NBTC has duties to regulate Thailand's broadcasting business and the use of frequencies and radio communications as national resource to benefit all Thai citizens, including all persons with disabilities who are Thai. Studies about the accessibility to broadcasting services for persons with disabilities stated that there are policy recommendations by the power and duties of the Office of the NBTC, laws and master plans that can be used as guidelines to increase opportunity for the persons with disabilities in order for them to access and utilize broadcasting services and telecommunications as equally as other Thai citizens. Those persons with disabilities shall be included in issuing policies on broadcasting services and telecommunications. They shall also be encouraged and supported in producing television programs by themselves, by being either presenters of the programs or production team members while the program formats can be both general and special programs. By doing so, the alternative media shall also be literally produced for persons with disabilities since their needs or the needs of their community can be reflected through the programs. The Office of the NTBC must provide the body of knowledge, equipment and technology, and allocation of frequencies or airtime suitable for them while complying to their community. Trainings on broadcasting accessibility and media literacy shall also be provided nationwide. This can lead us to inclusive society or the society that ensures inclusion and living in peace and harmony for all of its members.
While radio and television media can provide benefits for many consumers, it can also harm them in certain ways, particularly for persons with disabilities who may not have access to or be able to fully comprehend the media. Lack of media literacy can result in negative outcomes such as aggressive behavior, imitation of harmful actions, use of vulgar language, and problem-solving through violence. In today's digital age, people have access to a multitude of media channels, making media literacy essential for making informed decisions. Persons with disabilities have the ability to use media literacy to evaluate and make beneficial use of the information they are exposed to. This can enhance their overall quality of life by fostering critical thinking and reasoning, and empowering them to understand their rights and responsibilities when expressing their opinions and participating in society.
In compliance with the Spirit of the Laws and the master plans, promotion of media literacy and participation in establishing equitable society without discrimination, living in harmony, peace and mutual respect as human beings, the Office for Professional Organization Development and Promoting Equity in Broadcasting Services has seen the vitality of the Module Development Project for Persons with Disabilities to ensure their awareness, exposure and usefulness towards the accessibility to broadcasting services through technology. The project aims to enhance the knowledge and understanding of persons with disabilities regarding their rights to accessibility and the benefits of utilizing information through broadcasting services, telecommunications, and media literacy, with a focus on equity.