A Decade of Championing Disability Inclusion

As we enter a new decade, we celebrate the significant strides we’ve made in promoting disability inclusion in Singapore. Our 10th Anniversary with the theme “Celebrate. Collaborate. Champion.” provides us an opportunity to reflect on our progress and express our heartfelt appreciation to our stakeholders who have been instrumental in furthering the cause.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at how we've worked with stakeholders to Champion disability inclusion and create a more inclusive society.

Leading the Way

To advance progress and innovation within the disability sector, it is crucial to cultivate an environment of dialogue, inclusion, and understanding. Since 2016, our biennial Inclusive Business Forum has served as an invaluable platform for companies to connect, learn and collaborate, sparking fresh insights and initiatives that foster a more inclusive workforce.

Persons with disabilities can make more informed decisions with the launch of the Enabling Guide in 2019. Enabling Guide is a first-stop resource portal that pulls together various information and resources on disability support in Singapore. In developing the portal, we worked with persons with disabilities, caregivers, and social service agencies through design sprints and focus group discussions to shape its features and functionalities, so that it is relevant and helpful to users.

Another game changer is Tech Able, an integrated assistive technology space. Since 2015, Tech Able has been spearheading the adoption of assistive technology and enabling persons with disabilities to live, travel, learn, and work independently. Tech Able promotes collaboration between the private, public, and people sectors to develop new solutions and innovations that benefit persons with disabilities.

Inspiring and Advocating for Disability Inclusion

Passionate and dedicated champions of disability inclusion are vital to advancing a more inclusive society.

The Enabling Mark, launched in 2020, recognises organisations for demonstrating best practices and outcomes in disability-inclusive employment. These role models serve as examples for others to follow in building a more inclusive and accessible workplace.

As disability inclusion is a key driver of social progress, we work with our iChamps – volunteers with disabilities who champion disability inclusion and include all winners of the Goh Chok Tong Enable Awards. They mentor other persons with disabilities and self-advocate by sharing their stories and experiences.

We also developed a curriculum and equipped Caring Commuter Champions with the skills to assist commuters with disabilities since 2022. This initiative aims to make public transport more inclusive and caring for all.

The IHL Enabling Volunteer Chapters, established in 2022, empower tertiary students to curate disability initiatives for the wider community, further driving greater disability inclusion.

Catalysing Change

To accelerate change toward greater disability inclusion, we need to embrace innovation and experimentation as well as leverage technology.

Enabling Village has been paving the way for greater inclusion and diversity in Singapore since its opening in 2015. It has prototyped new disability-inclusive services and facilities that have inspired efforts toward disability inclusion in areas nationwide such as the first inclusive preschool, gym, and supermarket in Singapore, alongside new training, and employment models.

The Enabling Lives Initiative (ELI) Grant is another key driver of social innovation, empowering individuals, and organisations to develop impactful innovations that meet the needs of persons with disabilities. Between 2015 and 2020, more than S$16 million was committed through 10 themed grant calls, supporting more than 40 projects. These projects have benefitted over 8,000 persons with disabilities and their caregivers. A new tranche of $20 million was committed in 2020.

Moving Forward

The past decade has seen remarkable progress in promoting disability inclusion in Singapore. However, there is still more to be done. Together with our stakeholders, we will continue our efforts to create equitable opportunities for persons with disabilities through thought leadership, sustainable social innovation, and impactful partnerships. Let’s work towards another decade of a more inclusive Singapore!?