The Christian Center for the Development of People with Disabilities (CDPD) is a Christian organization that was established in cooperation with the Thailand Karen Baptist Convention. It provides services for children and youth with disabilities and their families. Services include therapy, special education, preparation for and promotion of education for children with special needs, vocational training, income generation, and community awareness through teaching and radio programs. The center provides care regardless of the gender, nationality, beliefs or religion of the client. The center and its staff have been providing services since 2001. The center’s main objective is to develop the potential of children and youth with disabilities so that they may live independently.

      CDPD works in cooperation with the communities in more than 50 villages in four districts in Maehongson Province; a province located in northwest Thailand. The work focuses on ethnic minority villages in isolated mountain areas. The ethnic minority groups each have different customs, cultures, languages and dress. Knowledge and understanding of these cultural differences is important to have in order to gain the trust and cooperation of the villagers.

Program Objectives

  • People with disabilities will receive physical, psychological, emotional, social, and intellectual rehabilitation.
  • People with disabilities will access government benefits which include education, medical assistance, social benefits, and work.
  • People with disabilities will receive training and skills development in areas such as activities of daily living, speech, and understanding of language and technology.
  • Families, community members and interested others will increase their potential for caring for persons with disabilities and assisting with rehabilitation. They will have a good attitude towards those with disabilities.
  • Youth with disabilities and family members will have vocational training.