Despite increasing awareness around diversity and inclusion, significant barriers still prevent people with disabilities from fully participating in the workforce. In fact, only around 8% of persons with disabilities in Thailand are employed in the competitive labour market, despite laws mandating their inclusion in the workforce, underscoring a significant gap between policy and practice.

Kerati a fourth-year political science student and business development trainee, knows this reality firsthand.  As a visually impaired student, he must put in extra effort in the classroom, often relying on volunteer support just to keep up, because the system was not designed with people like him in mind.

As he moves into adulthood, Kerati and many of his peers encounter significant hurdles in employment.

“Some companies would say that their facilities aren’t ready, and that they don’t know how to accommodate blind people,” he said. “A lot of blind people actually graduate with a bachelor’s degree, but end up working as masseuses, selling lottery tickets, or busking on the street – all because they can’t find a job.”

This reflects a broader issue. The employment gap is not just about qualifications, it is shaped by stigma, limited inclusive workplace practices, and low employer confidence in adjusting their own workplaces.

To combat this, Kerati participated in the Training of Trainers programme on Employability Skills for Youth with Visual Impairment, organised by Save the Children Thailand and Dots Coffee, and supported by the CapitaLand Hope Foundation and The Ascott Limited.

Beyond skills training, the programme focuses on creating employment pathways by working with partners and employers to better understand how to support youth with visual impairments in the workplace. This includes developing guidance on inclusive hiring practices and connecting youth with organisations that provide practical work opportunities.

Today, Kerati is applying these skills as a business development trainee at Vulcan Coalition, a social enterprise that develops innovation to improve accessibility and create employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. He gains hands-on experience and demonstrates his capabilities beyond assumptions about disability. Building on a Training of Trainers programme that strengthened his communication, problem-solving, and self-confidence, he hopes to transition into a full-time role after graduation.

Through this training, Kerati has not only strengthened his personal skills in communication and critical thinking, but has also become a catalyst for change, empowering others and advocating for a shift from pity to potential.

“We aren’t just people looking for care or sympathy,” he said. “We can be capable people too.”

But skills alone are not enough. Real change requires a broader shift in mindset across society and the private sector. While programmes like this equip young people with the tools to succeed, businesses play a critical role in creating inclusive environments where these skills can truly thrive.

For companies willing to adapt, the opportunity is clear: a largely untapped pool of capable, driven individuals ready to contribute, if only given the chance.