A Study and Development of Workplace Facilities and Working Environment to Increase the Work Efficiency of Persons with Disabilities: A Case Study of Major Retail and Wholesale Companies in Bangkok

Table 1

Study and development of a workplace environment for people with disabilities, consulting trainers of 120 people employed at shopping malls, retail, and wholesale companies using questionnaires [2].

Attribute	Number	Percentage
Gender
(i) Male	50	41.67
(ii) Female	70	58.33
Age
(i) 20-40 years old	80	66.67
(ii) 41-60 years old	40	33.33
(iii) Over 60 years old	0	0
Education
(i) Elementary	60	50.00
(ii) High school	15	12.50
(iii) Diploma	15	12.50
(iv) Bachelor degree	30	25.00
Working Experience
(i) 0-1 years	63	52.49
(ii) 1-5 years	40	33.33
(iii) 5-10 years	17	14.17
(iv) Over 10 years	0	0
Position
(i) Apparel	17	14.16
(ii) Food (transport merchandise)	15	12.50
(iii) Bakery	15	12.50
(iv) Warehouse	9	7.49
(v) Reception	15	12.50
(vi) Office Staff	15	12.50
(vii) Telephone Operator	14	11.67
(viii) HRM manager	20	16.67
Income per month (THB), with food allowance of 500 baht per month
(i) Less than 10,000	60	50.00
(ii) 10,000-15,000	30	25.00
(iii) 15,001-20.000	10	8.33
(iv) More than 20,000	20	16.67
What is your preferred work position?
(i) Same	96	80.00
(ii) Other (with suggestions)	24	20.00
Is the disability a barrier to work?
(i) Yes	96	80.00
(ii) No	24	20.00
Name the areas that is barrier to work
(i) Office Area	10	8.33
(ii) Dining Area	5	4.167
(iii) Store Area	20	16.67
(iv) Center Area	5	4.167
(v) None	80	66.67
What are the barriers to work?
(i) Poor environment, such as no lifts, no toilets for the disabled	40	33.33
(ii) Poor facilities, no supportive equipment for workplace	80	66.67
(iii) Other causes	0	0
The problem found in the workplace environment
(i) Climbing up and down stairs	10	8.33
(ii) Accessible toilets	10	8.33
(iii) Footpath	0	0
(iv) Loss of direction	10	8.33
(v) Tables, chairs, cabinets and furniture not suited the disabled	30	25.00
(vi) Opening and closing doors	0	0
(vii) Buying and eating foods	10	8.33
(viii) Direction and emergency signage	10	8.33
(ix) Parking	0	0
(x) Electrical appliances	40	33.33
(xi) Other	0	0
Have you ever been on the work accident?
(i) No	70	58.33
(ii) Yes	50	41.67
Should the company improve the environment for the disabled?
(i) Yes	80	66.67
(ii) No	40	33.33
Name the material that should be used with the disabled
(i) Wood	50	41.67
(ii) Metal	30	25.00
(iii) Animal Hides	5	4.167
(iv) Plastic	15	12.50
(v) Rock and concrete	5	4.167
(vi) Other	15	12.50
Suitable shapes for work are
(i) Round	20	25.00
(ii) Square	50	41.67
(iii) Rectangle	50	41.67
(iv) Hexagon	0	0
(v) Triangle	0	0
(vi) Other	0	0
What is the most problematic piece of work furniture?
(i) Tables	50	41.67
(ii) Chairs	30	25.00
(iii) Cabinets	20	16.67
(iv) Other	20	16.67
What is the most problematic electrical equipment?
(i) Computer	50	41.67
(ii) Electrical outlets and switches	30	25.00
(iii) Fan	0	0
(iv) Air conditioner	0	0
(v) Copier	0	0
(vi) Scanner	20	16.67
(vii) Fax	20	16.67
(viii) Other	0	0
Should the company improve the workplace facilities for the disabled?
(i) Yes	70	58.33
(ii) No	50	41.67
What is the most problematic office equipment?
(i) Stapler	30	25.00
(ii) Cutter	50	41.67
(iii) Punch	15	12.50
(iv) Paper cutter	5	4.167
(v) Stationery, pencil and pens	15	12.50
(vi) Paper clips	5	4.167
(vii) Other	0	0
Should the company improve the tools, equipment and machinery for the disabled?
(i) Yes	60	50.00
(ii) No	60	50.00
Will the improvement of workplace facilities for the disabled create work effectiveness?
(i) Yes	80	66.67
(ii) No	40	33.33

Source: the current study.