STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR KAREN TAN, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON "POST-2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA AND INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES" ON 23 SEPTEMBER 2013

Co-Chairs,

1             Thank you for convening this meeting. I thank the distinguished panellists for their presentation.

2             “Inclusive development” should be at the forefront of our minds as we discuss the post-2015 development agenda. Much work remains to be done in ensuring that the needs of persons with disabilities receive adequate attention, including changing social attitudes, providing access to education and productive employment, and designing the physical environment to be friendly to persons with disabilities.

3             We need to recognise the intrinsic human worth of every person with disability. We have much to learn from them. Just last month a Singaporean mountaineer David Lim became the first mobility-impaired person to reach the summit of one of Southeast Asia’s tallest mountains in a single day! Persons with disabilities truly enrich our society.

4             Singapore ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 19 July this year. This underscores Singapore’s commitment to achieve our goal of a society where every person with a disability can maximise his or her potential and be embraced as an integral member of our society.

5             We have developed a roadmap called the Enabling Masterplan 2012-2016 to help us achieve an inclusive society for persons with disabilities. The Government actively coordinates and monitors the implementation of this plan. The Roadmap includes aspects such as early intervention, education, employment, adult care and accessibility. As early intervention is critical to developing a child, the Government reaches out to children with developmental delays in specialised settings and provides therapy and education support services to children with disabilities.

6             We have also set up a dedicated agency to enhance employability and increase employment options for persons with disabilities. The Government also encourages employers to hire and retain persons with disabilities, including by subsidising their monthly wages and defraying employers’ cost for apprenticeships, workplace modifications, job re-design and other forms of job support. Persons with disabilities earning below a pre-determined wage level can also receive income supplements from the government every quarter.

7             The Government has also enhanced the accessibility of our infrastructure and services, including our public transport system. Our Accessibility Code has incorporated Universal Design to meet the needs of families, the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Co-Chairs,

8             Singapore will continue to work with all stakeholders to build an inclusive society where every person with a disability can share in the fruits of development. Thank you.

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