Disabled access rules enforced

From TODAYonline.com (21 Sept 2007):

[SINGAPORE]… building owners or occupiers will be required by law to ensure these physical features are not altered, removed or obstructed. Where this does occur, the authorities could get the owner or occupier to reinstate the affected features.

This new provision in the amended Building Control Act is necessary to meet the needs of our rapidly-ageing population and to make Singapore an inclusive society, said Minister of State for National Development Grace Fu.

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Singapore wins 14 medals at World Wheelchair and Amputee Games 2007

From Channelnewsasia.com (18 Sept 2007):

Singapore’s disabled athletes have scored a big win at an international sports meet in Taipei. The bi-annual event is known as the International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Wheelchair and Amputee Games 2007.

Singapore sent five athletes to take part in wheelchair racing and seven in swimming. They joined over 1,000 disabled athletes from 43 countries.

In total, Singapore’s 12 athletes achieved 14 medals and 21 personal bests. All, but one, of the medals came from swimming events.

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“My s’pore story, a tile at a time”- (How a photo of MM Lee helps the disabled integrate into society)

From TODAYonline.com (8 Sept 2007). Article by Lois Ng:

SIX years ago, I gave up my dream of globe-trotting the world to help the poor and came home to care for my ailing father. It turned out to be a life-changing move because I became a social entrepreneur.

… This is also the story of a motley group of 15 disabled people aged 15 to 60, who work with me. They include people who are mentally and physically disabled, as well as the autistic and the hearing-impaired.

My business mission is to transform the disabled who are lowly-educated, unskilled and cannot fit into society to become part of a skilled workforce, which can contribute to our economy. This requires time, a custom-designed training programme and a holistic approach.

It led a government scholar to plainly state that what I am doing is fèi wù xún huán, Mandarin for the recycling of waste.

I was shocked and angry, but the element of truth in his words sank in. Our society does not make a distinction between charity and empowerment. All help given to the disabled is charity and the way to help is to give to charitable organisations.

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Families with disabled dependants get foreign maid levy concession

From Channelnewsasia.com (13 Sept 2007):

SINGAPORE : Employers of foreign maids, who have a disabled family member, can now apply for the foreign domestic worker levy concession from September 15.

… Those who wish to apply for the levy concession need to get a medical assessment on the disabled family member.

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Severely disabled want to be included in annuity scheme

From Channelnewsasia.com (10 Sept 2007):

SINGAPORE : The severely disabled do not want to be totally excluded from buying compulsory annuities when they turn 55.

Even as they welcome the possible exemption, they hope the government will give them an opt-in option, and allow them to tap into the monthly payouts at an earlier age, since most do not expect to live till 85.

… The lifespan of these patients are significantly reduced by complications such cardiac arrest, diabetes and breathing difficulties.

Still, people like John welcome the annuity scheme, which can come in handy when they are no longer able to work.

But he hopes the payouts can be brought forward to when he turns 70 or even earlier.

… Their suggestion to the government is to exempt the severely disabled, but allow them to opt into the scheme.

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Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary marks 40 years of Open Education Programme

From Channelnewsasia.com, 12 August 2007:

SINGAPORE: Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School – the pilot school for visually disabled students to learn alongside mainstream students in Singapore – marks the 40th anniversary of its Open Education Programme this year.

It shares more in a video clip that was submitted for MediaCorp News’ Roving DV competition, where students shoot, edit, script and narrate a news clip involving their school.

The school, which now has 17 visually handicapped students, offers enriching programmes to aid them in their four to five years of secondary education.

… More information on Roving DV 2007 is available online at www.channelnewsasia.com/rovingdv

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Doing a little good: A book of the Riding for the Disabled Association of Singapore

Published: 2003.
ISBN: 981-04-7172-6
NLB Call No.: SING 798.23087 DOI

Some memorable parts from the book:

On Dusty, the Welsh mountain pony: “Although he is small in size, he is large in heart, and he truly believes that he is a big horse.” ~ Marianne Godwin.

A mother, Mrs Schodeller, whose daughter Charlotte has Pervasive Development Delay: “When your child has a disability, you look for everything. I searched any place I could.” This search led her to a carnival held at the Polo Club where she discovered the RDA.

On Darren Tay, who is Autistic: “As long as Darren is happy to be here, I will let him go for anything that will help him.” ~ Mr. Tay Choon Mong, father.

See also:
Equiworld.net
Infertilefantasies.blogspot.com

Brunei: Teachers Undergo Workshop On Special Education

From Brudirect.com, “Teachers Undergo Workshop On Special Education” By P Marilyn.

Excerpt:

Bandar Seri Begawan - In an effort to provide quality services and programmes to enable all students to reach their full potential, the Ministry of Education through the Special Education Unit has organised a number of in-service training programmes for teachers to ensure that they are well informed about recent developments in special education.

One such professional development programme is the two-day national seminar and workshop on “Curriculum Guide for Students with High Support Needs”, which commenced yesterday at the Civil Service Institute in Rimba.

Link
[Last accessed: 4 Sept 2007]

NUS students build sports wheelchair that’s lighter, cheaper

From The Straits Times, 3 Sept 2007, by Judith Tan:

… engineering students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) rose to the challenge, and undertook the task of making a wheelchair built for Asian physiques.

Two groups of students started the initial work in 2005. Then, a third group of third-year students, led by undergraduate Eric Gair, 24, took the previous research forward to make a working model.

They call it the Vorque.

… They had to be not only lightweight and manoeuvrable, but also capable of customisation so each athlete’s needs are met.

Plus, they had to be affordable.

So far, the chairs have got the thumbs-up from the Singapore Disability Sports Council and, hopefully, will make their public debut at the disabled tennis tournament in Singapore at the end of the year.

Some features of the Vorque:

• The seat and footrest can be adjusted to fit the individual user’s specific needs;
• The front wheels can be converted from two to one wheel; and
• The chair has a built-in anti-skid feature.

Link

Singapore to introduce Mental Capacity Bill as population ages

From Channelnewsasia.com, 14 August 2007:

The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) is proposing the introduction of a Mental Capacity Bill, which will allow individuals to voluntarily make advance plans for their financial and personal welfare while they still have the capacity to do so.

… The number of dementia cases in Singapore is rising and the government believes it could reach 20,000 in five years’ time.

… Currently, Singapore has the Mental Disorders and Treatment Act to help people like Judy’s aunt.

Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said: “The problem with using that Act is that it only kicks in after you have been declared of unsound mind. The reality is - (deteriorating) mental capacity is usually a gradual process which may fluctuate with time. So we need a more flexible way of dealing with this problem.”

The Mental Capacity Bill will also allow parents of severely intellectually disabled children to appoint a deputy to help their children when they themselves become mentally incapacitated.

However, certain decisions cannot be made on behalf of a mentally incapacitated person under the Bill.

These decisions include consenting to marriage or sexual relations, executing, amending or revoking a will and making or revoking a CPF nomination.

A public consultation exercise on the Bill’s provisions will begin on Wednesday, 15 August, till 31 October.

MCYS expects the finalised legislation to be presented to Parliament within six to 12 months.

If the Bill is passed, it will not be backdated.

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