Strategies for Addressing Inequality in Access to Social Welfare for Elderly Individuals with Disabilities, through Participatory Multisectoral Involvement in Uttaradit Province
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Abstract
The purposes of this research were to investigate the conditions and factors influencing inequality in access to social welfare for elderly individuals with disabilities in Uttaradit Province; to develop strategies; and to formulate policy recommendations for strategies addressing the inequality in access to social welfare for elderly individuals with disabilities in Uttaradit Province, utilizing a research methodology that integrates both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Through quantitative research, the study focused on a sample group comprising 205 elderly individuals with disabilities. The sample was selected using a Multi-stage Sampling method. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Multiple Regression Analysis. For the qualitative research component, in-depth interviews were conducted with four groups of social actors: administrators, operational personnels, community leaders, and local representatives of the elderly or caregivers of the elderly with disabilities in the Uttaradit Province, totaling 20 individuals. The strategies were developed in a focus group, while the evaluation of strategic suitability was performed by experts who specialized in provision of social welfare for elderly people at local and national levels. The data were analyzed with Content Analysis methods. The research findings revealed that the overall situation of inequality in access to social welfare for elderly individuals with disabilities in the Uttaradit Province was at a moderate level. Factors related to policy support, local-level management, service resources, collaboration among relevant organizations, and perception of personal rights contributed jointly to predict the inequality in access to social welfare for elderly individuals with disabilities in the area, accounting for 42.3%. The six formulated strategies included 1) establishing a policy mechanism to promote access to social welfare for elderly individuals with disabilities at the local level, 2) enhancing the quality of social welfare management to meet standards, 3) promoting and connecting collaborative networks across all sectors, 4) advocating proactive measures to promote comprehensive and equal access to social welfare rights, 5) developing knowledge, databases, technological innovations, and community-friendly amenities to support daily living, and 6) monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of social welfare access based on participatory principles. The developed strategies presented a feasible and appropriate overview for practical implementation. With regard to policy recommendations at local level, it should establish canons, ordinances, or regulations for supporting and enhancing the quality of life for elderly and disabled individuals, encourage supplementary occupation, foster saving as well as investment, and expand social care systems for the elderly. At provincial level, it should connect operational plans both departmental and ministerial levels with provincial development plans, empower the support for network partners as well as entrepreneurs to create technology and innovation for rehabilitating elderly individuals with disabilities. At governmental level, it should focus on the integration from operations across multiple sectors to solve the inequality in access to social welfare for elderly individuals with disabilities under dimensions of health, lifelong learning and education, vocational promotion and income, housing, recreation, justice process, and general social services.
Keywords: Strategies for Addressing Inequality, Social Welfare, Elderly Individuals with Disabilities
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