Access to Mass Media by Disabled Youths in the Greater Bangkok Area
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Date
2011-03-11
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Journal of Ratchasuda College for Research and Development of Persons with Disabilities
Abstract
The objective of this study is to investigate: The situation regarding access to mass media by disabled youths in the greater Bangkok area; and problems encountered while accessing mass media. Fifty-five samples of this qualitative research were purposively selected, consisting of four groups of disabled youths: 16 youths with visual impartment from the Bangkok School for the Blind, 17 youths with hearing impairment from the Nonthaburi School for the Deaf, 15 youths with physical impairment from Srisangwal School in Nonthaburi province and seven teachers who took care of youths with intellectual disabilities at Panyanukul School in Chachoengsao province. Interview guidelines were used for data collection. An analytical-descriptive approach was used for data analysis. Results: (1) Youths with visual impairment reported access to radio, because radios provided the most details via voice, followed by television and the Internet. They accessed the Internet using the PPA Tatip software program, which transformed text into speech. Youths with hearing impairment reported access to the Internet via the Camfrog and MSN programs, followed by television and publications. Youths with physical impairment reported they accessed television, followed by the Internet, radio and publications. Youths with intellectual disabilities accessed televisions, followed by radio, the Internet and publications. (2) Youths with visual impairment had problems accessing television, due to unclear narration, as radio broadcasts were clearer; and problems with the Internet, due to a shortage of the PPA Tatip program. Youths with hearing impairment had problems with an absence of sign language and subtitles being too small and moving too quickly at the bottom of the screen. Youths with physical impairment lacked supplemental instruments for computer use. Youths with intellectual disabilities had different problems with access, depending on particular disability and perception problems.
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Journal of Ratchasuda College for Research and Development of Persons with Disabilities; Vol.6 No.2 July-December 2010; 85-98