Enabling Masterplan 2007 – 2011 for the Disability Sector (Executive Summary) Done By:

1. Enabling Masterplan2007 – 2011 for the Disability Sector(Executive Summary) Done By: Chua Siew Hoon Kristal Koh Lin Jiayi Symthia Lim Suriayati

2. Introduction • In 2004, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong • envisioned to have an inclusive society which • brought upon the Enabling Masterplan. • People with disabilities (PWD) who need support to • reach their full potential need to • be included as part of the society.

3. Vision • PWDs to become equal, integral and contributing • members to society. • Equal opportunities for PWDs in employment. • PWDs to be appreciated and respected. • Parents are reassured. • PWDs able to help their families and contribute • back to society. • “Many Helping Hands” approach will work together • to achieve the Singapore Vision.

4. Approach • To achieve this vision, • the Committee has adopted a life stage approach • (from birth to adulthood). • Committee also look out for views and feedbacks • from PWDs, families, VWOs, professionals, • practitioners and employers

5. 9 Key Recommendations • Office on Disability • Early intervention & education for children with • special needs • Employment opportunities • Empowering the Family • Community-based services and residential care • Disability sports • Barrier-free acessibility • Public education • Manpower management

6. Office on Disability • Besides MCYS, NCSS, VWOs and families, other • government ministries and industry players also • play the crucial role involving disability issues. • National office that manages issues on disabilities • should be set up. • The office should be placed under the purview of • a coordinating Minister who shared the same vision. • Office will have the mandate and resources to • manage disability issues holistically, focusing on • early intervention, education and employment.

7. Early intervention & education • Committee identified 6 strategic thrusts – • Leadership revamp • MOE – to take leadership in intergrating • needs and services in education • MOH - therapy support of children with • special needs.

8. Early intervention & education 2) Planned and purposeful integration No segregation of ‘special schools’ and ‘mainstream schools’ 3) Quality programme and staff Development of a shared curriculum framework 4) Empowerment of family caregivers MCYS & NCSS – provide social service support to the children and their parents

9. Early intervention & education 5) Transition management Children should be assessed before placement in school. Age limit for special schools should be extended to 21 for more benefits. 6) Funding of enabling services Government review the funding of Early Intervention Programme for infants and children (EPIC) services due to high cost of services.

10. Employment Opportunities • A structured “value-chain” employment framework should be adopted as follows: • Assessment/Placement • - ensuring job fit for PWDs • - separate Vocational Assessment/Job Placement • programmes for people with disabilities respectively • Training • - should be based on industry required with recognised • certification • - skills training should be with employment training • bodies like the National Trade Union Congress’ Skills • Development Institute.

11. Employment Opportunities • Support • - “The Open Door” Fund allows companies to participate • and hire PWDS. • Setting up of an Employers’ Network for employers who • have successfully employed PWDs and those supporting • the employment of PWDs. • It also advise on employment practices and guidelines.

12. Empowering the Family • Family has to be the first line of care and support to • ensure the best outcome. • Training grant for caregivers to attend specialised • training. • Committee recommends foreign domestic worker levy • concession. • Provide free financial planning and legal education to • parents. • Allow CPF to be used as a savings mechanism that • Medishield and Eldershield benefit PWDs in the same • with non-disabled.

13. Community-Based Services and Residential Care • To help PWDs whose caregivers have aged or passed on, • the Committee recommends that • more residential options be available such as Group Homes • and Hostels • while institutionalization should be the last resort.

14. Disability Sports • Three strategic thrust for sports for PWDs - sport excellence - sports for all - sports for rehabilitation • Committee recommends increase in resources for the Singapore Disability Sports Council to promote sports. • Should be supported by the Singapore Sports Council, the Singapore National Olympic Council and MCYS,MOH and NCSS.

15. Barrier-Free Accessibility • The committee recommends that the Governement • expedites the implementation of the wheelchair- • accessible public transport system, to be fully achieved • only in 2023. • In the meantime an affordable and viable alternative • transport arrangement should be made available.

16. Public Education • MCYS’ Disability Awareness Public Education (DAPE) • campaign should be sustained as a year round programme. • Community Development Councils (CDCs) and grassroots • to enhance the outreach in the community awareness.

17. Manpower Management • Government to build up the supply of skilled manpower • for disability services. • Tapping on experts within the field, either locally or • abroad. • Developing centres of excellence for different disability • groups is vital to develop the best practices in education, • therapy and services.

18. Conclusion • The goal of the committee is to fully include the PWDs in our society. • Committee adopts an integrated 5P approach : • People • Private sector • Public sector • Parents • PWDs • To build an inclusive society so that the PWDs can live life with dignity.