Regional Workshop on Monitoring the Implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (BMF)
Bangkok, Thailand, 13-15 October 2004

COUNTRY PAPER : SINGAPORE

Regional Workshop
Monitoring the Implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Right-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific
13-15 October 2004, Bangkok, Thailand

A personal perspective by PT Lim

1. Review of achievements and shortcomings in the implementation of the BMF at the inception of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (2003-2012) in your country;

1.1 The Singapore government does not view the problems and needs of people with disabilities (PWD) as a social welfare concern. For example, the transportation needs for PWD should best be addressed by the Ministry of Transport which is concerned with the establishment of a world class transport system for Singapore as a whole. Similarly, issues of accessibility should be addressed by the Ministry of National Development which is concerned with building the physically infrastructure and environment of the country, including public housing.

1.2 While the Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports (MCYS) is charged with the development of programmes and services for the disadvantaged and less privileged, social services for PWD is guided by the “many helping hands” approach. It is based on the fundamental policy that the problems and needs of PWD should be a tripartite responsibility shared by the government, the community and the family.

1.3 The Singapore government is committed to committing financial resources to drive the development of new programmes and services for PWD as well as strengthen & improve existing provisions. At the recent Official Opening of the Spastics Centre in Sept 04, the new Prime Minister of Singapore announced that as Singapore grow and develop economically, it is now in a better position to do more for PWD but cautioned that such resources are finite and should be committed carefully.

1.4 Some of the progress made on programmes and services concerning PWD include the following:

(a) Role of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS)

• Provide leadership and direction to Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs)
• Enhance capabilities of VWOs
• Promote community partnerships for social services

(b) Self-help organisations of persons with disabilities and related family and parent association

• Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWO) Capability Fund provides VWOs opportunities to pursue innovative solutions and start new initiatives
• Increased consultation with service users, their caregivers and service providers

(c) Early Detection, Early Intervention and Education

• New support services in place to facilitate early detection of disability in 2 major hospitals
• Early detection and Follow-up services also available at 2 polyclinics (primary health care)
• Co-funding of 8 EIPIC programmes with MCYS for 500 infants and children
• Integrated Child Care Centres
• On-going effort to attract and retain special education teachers
• Reviewing outcomes-oriented approach for special schools
• Inclusive education a long term goal
• Interim solutions – to support students with special needs in mainstream schools through Integration Support Programmes
• Increased government funding of S$55m annually to operate special schools, including accelerated purpose built special schools, more resource teachers, teachers aides and new school for children with autism

(d) Training and Employment, including Self-employment

• About 1200 PWD in employment-related programmes
• 150 to 200 PWD placed annually in open employment
• A declining placement rate due to challenges of knowledge based economy
• Need to create employment opportunities through job redesign
• Introduction of social enterprise
• Exploring the idea of test-beds
• Partnering industries to provide training and subsequently, employment through the Work Development Agency, under Ministry of Manpower
• Preparation for job readiness be seen as a continuum
• Career coaching and planning
• Work attachments and internships

(e) Access to built environment and public transport

• Retrofitting of Mass Rapid Transit and Light Rail Transport Systems by 2005
• Updating of Barrier-Free Buildings Code in 2002

(f) Access to information and communications including information, communication and assistive technologies

• Computer Access Trust Fund - Subsidy for special schools students for their purchase of computer and educational software
• Introduction of Assistive Technology Fund - Enable persons with disabilities pursue mainstream education or gain employment

1.5 Some of the challenges ahead would include the following:

(a) Service Planning and Capability Building -‘newer’ developmental and learning disabilities

(b) Social Service Quality - Increase accountability and transparency of social services through Programme Evaluation System and Best Practice Guidelines

(c) Approach and strategy – Need to re-examine how disability services should be organised by disability, user’ potential, ability and functioning levels as well as explore service integration models to garner synergy

(d) Lack of central co-ordinating body to spearhead efforts as well as provide holistic approach to the problems, needs and potentials of PWD.

2. Your views/plans on the BMF implementation of your country for the rest of the Decade, especially with regard to:

A. Indicators for monitoring the implementation progress;

Online reporting by both governmental agencies and NGOs at mid term and final reporting period. It will be useful to have a comparison on how governmental agencies and NGOs perceive the implementation progress.

B. Institutional mechanisms for monitoring the implementation (e.g., National Focal Point on Disability, National Coordination Council on Disability, National Statistical Office);

Such mechanisms can be useful if they are action oriented. There are far too many study reports on problem definitions. It would be more useful if such institutional mechanisms serve as a focal point to garner synergy for an affirmative action to resolve new emerging challenges and issues, not to re-define them.

C. Capacity building and technical cooperation (e.g., disability assessment, disability budgeting, project assessment from disability perspective), and

The sharing of available resources in capability building and technical cooperation could be made within easy reach if such information are readily available through an interactive web based portal. Best practice guidelines, minimum service standards and implementation issues could be compiled in a shared database.

D. A rights-based comprehensive national policy.

The underlying principle is to enable PWD in Singapore to lead dignified, economically productive and participative lives within the community. They should be given ample opportunities and given adequate education / training to level the playing field to maximise their potentials just like any other citizen.

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