VWOs team up to improve prospects of the disabled

From TODAYonline (24 Apr 08):

Ms Ng and other workers under the scheme, which has been in place since 1963, receive up to $60 per day but they do not get other benefits, such as CPF contributions and medical subsidies.

This is set to change under a new partnership between the SAVH and Bizlink Centre, which has also been providing sheltered employment to the disadvantaged, especially disabled workers, since 1986.

The partnership will see Bizlink Centre train SAVH members to improve their skills in order to make them more employable and receive better terms of employment.

With Bizlink and SAVH having a combined supply of 124 members, the two partners hope the bigger workforce will enable them to secure more job contracts from commercial companies and government agencies.

Link

“Deaf Boleh” Flickr photoset

Here’s the Flickr pictures from “Deaf Boleh” (heads-up from Alvan):

The latest photos (as this goes to post) is for the “Deaf-initely No Excuses” Run held in August 2007

[photo set, here]

BTW, this set is for the Deaf Boleh Carnival in 2006.

Sensory park designed to stimulate senses of elderly and disabled

From monstersandcritics.com (14 Dec 2007):

A Japanese-inspired sensory park to be built in Singapore will be filled with sweet-smelling flowers designed to appeal to the elderly and Braille signs describing the plants for the blind, news reports said on Friday.

Scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2009, the 1.1- hectare pilot park near housing for many of Singapore’s elderly is planned to include water features, sculptures to touch and pavement to create special sounds.

The Housing Development Board engaged Miyake, who pioneered the concept in Japan, to work with with an architectural firm to create a sensory park in the city-state, the report said.

LINK

Help for seniors, children and people with disabilities to access the Internet

From Channelnewsasia.com (24 Nov 2007):
IDA to spend S$2.5m to get senior citizens connected to the internet

The government plans to get three-quarters of all senior citizens aged 55 years and above to gain access to the internet within two years. Children and the disabled will also benefit under the InfoComm Development Authority (IDA)’s plans. IDA is extending its NEU PC programme, which has helped to equip 24,000 needy households with a computer bundle, to introduce an extra mile of financial support called iNSPIRE Fund. IDA’s iNSPIRE Fund will be administered by the Children’s Society.

LINK

Reported in The Straits Times (25 Nov 2007, via Asiamedia.ucla.edu)
8 centres for elderly to learn to surf Net and blog

The Silver Infocomm Initiative will train 30,000 senior citizens in courses ranging from basic computer appreciation to setting up a wireless network at home to blogging. The fund will be used to set up and run eight infocomm learning centres for senior citizens in the heartland.

Speaking at the launch of the first of the eight infocomm centres at Bishan Junction 8, Dr Balakrishnan vowed to increase the proportion of Net-using senior citizens to 75 per cent within the next two years.

Dr Balakrishnan, who is also the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, said infocomm technology is essential to everyone today, but there were three groups of people who were at risk of being left behind — the elderly, the disabled and the less well-off families.

LINK

Singapore bids to host International Abilympics in 2015

From TODAYonline.com, 6 Nov 2007:

SINGAPORE isn’t only hoping to host an Olympics for the young.

In 2015, it could also be the venue for the next International Abilympics — an Olympics of “abilities for people with disabilities”.

Singapore could see more than 1,200 participants from more than 20 countries showcasing their talents here in a diverse range of vocational skills such as electronics assembly, data processing and photography.

The International Abilympics — launched in Japan in 1981 — is a platform to raise the awareness among employers and the general public of the talents and skills of people with disabilities.

Singaporeans have been flying the flag high at the International Abilympics since 1991, winning medals in painting, chess and accounting. This year, for the first time, the 14-member contingent — the largest team Singapore has ever sent — heading to Shizukoa, Japan, includes six former mental patients, three wheelchair users and five hearing-impaired women… [See also: Channelnewsasia article, 5 Nov 07]

… “Internationally, the International Abilympics has helped to overturn traditional prejudicial views and misconceptions regarding the skills abilities and potential of the disabled.”

He added: “We hope it will mark a milestone and propel a wave of skills training and job placement for people with disabilities and those who have recovered from mental illness.”

Link

Changi Sailing Club to include able-bodied in its disabled programme

From Channelnewsasia (21 Oct 2007):SINGAPORE :

From two boats in the year 2000 to about 20 by year’s end, Changi Sailing Club has created a splash for disabled sailors with its Sailability Changi programme.

Link

The disabled can get subsidised care at clinics near their homes from Nov 1, 2007

From TODAYonline (Sept 28, 2007):

They will be included in the Primary Care Partnership Scheme (PCPS) which lets 19,300 needy, elderly Singaporeans seek care at participating medical or dental clinics near their homes and pay subsidised polyclinic rates. The Health Ministry said some 12,500 persons will qualify. Their per-capita monthly household income must be $700 and below.

They can apply at any community club or Community Development Council. Last year, the Government spent about $1.5 million on PCPS. Visit www.moh.gov.sg for more information.

Link

Singapore’s Special Olympics team back with 32 medals

From Channelnewsasia.com, 13 Oct 2007:

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Special Olympics team is back with a total haul of 32 medals.
They came back from the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai on Friday night with 7 gold, 9 silver and 16 bronze medals.

They were part of the 7,500 athletes from 165 countries who participated in the Special Olympics.
Singapore took part in five categories and performed better than the previous outing.

Link

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.

Link

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.

Link