REMARKS BY AMBASSADOR KAREN TAN, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE DIVISION FOR SOCIAL POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION OF THE UN DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS ENTITLED "ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGIES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: CROSSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE", 1000 HRS ON 2 DECEMBER 2014

Distinguished Moderator and

Panellists,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

               It is my honour to be here with you today.  To start, I would first like to wish everyone a very happy International Day of Persons with Disabilities in advance, which we celebrate tomorrow.  This meaningful occasion gives visibility to the needs and rights of the more than one billion persons with disabilities around the world.  But visibility is only the first step. Actions speak louder than words.  I will share with you Singapore’s experience in crossing the digital divide.  Since Singapore is very much in learning mode on this issue, I am eager to hear everyone’s perspective as well. 

               I would first like to ask the audience: have you ever been on a roller-coaster ride?  Most people either love or hate roller-coaster rides, either because they love the thrill or feel sick afterwards!  But many persons with disabilities cannot make such a choice, because they do not have the option of ever going on one in their lifetime. 

               I ask this seemingly trivial question to make a simple but important point – persons with disabilities require special attention so that they can enjoy the same quality of life as we do.  The beauty about information and communication technologies (ICT) is that they can be harnessed in significant ways to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities.  In Singapore, a local school called the Asian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA) School which caters to students with multiple disabilities and moderate to severe Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has collaborated with one of our local universities to set up a 3D Immersive Room.  Simulating experiences through 3D technology allows students to visit places or explore situations which they might not otherwise have the opportunity of doing, for example, going on a roller-coaster ride or interacting with dolphins.  There are also customised interactive 3D programmes tailored to meet the learning needs of the students with the aim of developing the students’ confidence in communicating their thoughts and preferences. 

Singapore’s disability strategy

               Singapore’s desire is for our country to be an inclusive society where persons with disabilities are empowered and recognized, and given full opportunity to become integral and contributing members of society.  To realize this vision, we are currently implementing the Enabling Masterplan 2012-2016, Singapore’s key national disability strategy.  The Masterplan was formulated after consultations with many stakeholders, including persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers, as well as organisations that serve and support them.  An important observation was that the notion of accessibility goes beyond physical accessibility and must include access to information and communication.  Technology was also identified as one of eight cross-cutting issues that impacted persons with disabilities across their life-cycle.  The use of assistive technology (AT) and information and communications technology (ICT) are key enablers to help individuals overcome the challenges posed by disabilities.  

               The Singapore government has stepped up overall publicity for our disability roadmap.  It is helpful for political leaders to lead this initiative from the front.  For example, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced new and enhanced policies to benefit persons with disabilities in key national speeches.  The President of the Society for the Physically Disabled in Singapore, Ms Chia Yong Yong, has recently become a Nominated Member of Parliament, and she will no doubt continue her advocacy efforts on the needs of persons with disabilities.  Singapore also ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2013, which we continue to publicise through various information channels so that persons with disabilities are made aware of their rights. 

Centres to access AT

               We found that many persons with disabilities and their caregivers did not realize that AT devices could improve the productivity and quality of life of the persons with disabilities to begin.  One participant said “I don’t use devices.  I don’t have this kind of devices.  I don’t know where to get it.  If I have (one), I will use it.”

               A focus group discussion found that as many as 68 percent of respondents, who were parents of persons with disabilities had never heard of AT, although almost all indicated an interest to find out more.  Among the AT users interviewed, there was also a lack of awareness of the eligibility of funding for such AT. 

               Our  findings showed that it is important to publicise the benefits of AT and the availability of funding for such AT.  To increase awareness, we found that it was important to provide physical premises for persons with disabilities to access AT.  One such platform in Singapore is SG Enable, a one-stop government agency for persons with disabilities, which will see a new and integrated community space ready in 2015.  This space will house the Enabling Innovation Centre, which will have facilities such as text-to-speech software, and a social innovation hub where people can share ideas to develop innovative products and services for persons with disabilities. 

               In addition, the Infocomm Accessibility Centre, a local training facility managed by a local CSO and supported by a network of government agencies and private sector companies, offers structured certification path and industry-relevant infocomm training across disability types.  It is a good example of the strength of public-private partnership on such issues.  This Centre comprises computer labs for various levels of ICT courses and training rooms for the apprenticeship programme.  Affordable training and customised courses for various levels, some of which lead to industry certification, are provided here at a subsidised rate of US$30-40, with a possibility of even further subsidy.

               The Centre also houses the first ever AT Loan Library in Asia with over 700 types of AT equipment, ranging from software to alternative and augmentative communication devices, low vision and blindness aids and even switch-adapted toys.  This allows persons with disabilities to try out assistive devices in their everyday settings before deciding whether to purchase them.  For example, a gentleman who had a visual impairment that prevented him from reading his own handwriting was finally able to hold a job managing the inventory of three branches of a veterinary clinic in Singapore with the help of a desktop video magnifier and a handheld video magnifier.   

Financial assistance

               Unfortunately, the high up-front and maintenance cost of AT has a prohibitive effect on persons with disabilities, their families, schools and employers.  Our Enabling Masterplan recognized these challenges.  The Assistive Technology Fund (ATF) is a means-tested financial assistance scheme available to persons with disabilities to defray the cost of assistive devices.  These mobility and communication devices include wheelchairs and hearing aids. Since 2012, we have doubled the lifetime cap of these subsidies from $10,000 to $20,000 per individual.

Education

               There is strong evidence to show that early intervention for children with disabilities improves their quality of life in the long-term.  This in turn helps them to maximise their potential to lead fulfilling and independent lives, access gainful employment, and better integrate into the community.  Providing quality education is thus crucial in the formative years of a child with disabilities and AT helps him/her to “level-up”. 

               The government has worked to build and strengthen the ICT infrastructure and provides AT devices for pupils with physical or sensory impairment in our government schools. These devices include Frequency Modulation (FM) equipment, Braille notebooks, talking calculators, customised furniture and specialised software.  The government also provides grants and works with CSOs to provide educational support for students.  An important part of these services is consultation with occupational therapists on AT.  This helps the government schools to better accommodate and support the learning needs of students with physical and/or sensory impairments.

               Children who have greater disability challenges are enrolled in Special Education Schools, where educational programmes are tailor-made for the needs of the students.   ICT is a key enabler for teaching and learning is an important part of the Special Education (SPED) Curriculum Framework, launched in 2012.  One such school uses a combination of iPad apps to allow students to perform therapeutic hand exercises to improve their fine motor skills and handwriting readiness as well as facilitate the tripod pencil grip formation.  No offence to those who use their iPads to play games like Candy Crush during long speeches at the UN, but this seems to me a much more valuable way to use the device!

               The Ministry of Education has introduced an ICT Fund with an amount of US$3.8 m from 2013 to 2015, to enable such schools to build and strengthen their ICT infrastructure and capabilities, and to foster a culture of innovation in ICT for teaching and learning.  Financial assistance schemes are also available to support students in their purchases of education-related AT devices and support services for students going to vocational training schools and universities.

Employment

               A key deliverable for our Enabling Masterplan is to increase the employability of persons with disabilities.  But it is insufficient to merely equip them with skills.  Unfortunately, many employers remain reluctant to employ persons with disabilities as they need to put in additional effort to meet their needs.  To enhance the employment and employability options for persons with disabilities, the government has initiated the Open Door Programme. Recently enhanced in 2014, the programme is aimed at supporting employers in the hiring, training and integration of persons with disabilities. The funding covers up to 90 percent of job redesign costs, up to US$2,500 for each person with disability hired.  The job redesign includes the purchase of equipment and workplace modification.

Use of technology in service delivery

               Technology can unlock substantial benefits in the area of service delivery.  In the care sector, technology enables care providers to deliver services faster and better. At the same time, clients benefit from the improved quality of care and enhanced supervision. The Sustainable Enhancement for Eldercare and Disability Services (SEED) Fund currently supports pilot projects such as Tele-Home Care37, which enables case managers to monitor and interact with home-bound older persons who live alone without the need to physically make daily house-visits. Each senior’s home is equipped with a computer and attached video camera that is managed by a case manager to check in on the senior daily.  Such services can benefit persons with disabilities who are unable to leave their homes due to their disability conditions.  Unfortunately, at present, there are insufficient regular home-based care services for persons with disabilities.  This is one area where Singapore will continue to work on improving.  It is possible that leveraging on the current eldercare framework in appropriate situations could allow us to scale-up such services and incorporate the best practices learned.

Conclusion

               To conclude, I wish to share with you a quote from a senior AT specialist for the Singapore Society for the Physically Disabled which I came across: “For people without disabilities, technology makes things easier, for people with disabilities, technology makes things possible.”  While we have made substantial achievements, much work remains to be done to make things possible for every person with a disability in Singapore.  I appreciate the opportunity to share our experiences with you and look forward to hearing your views.  Thank you.

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