REMARKS BY DPR JOSEPH TEO AT THE HIGH-LEVEL MEETING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO COMMEMORATE THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADOPTION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, 2 DECEMBER 2016

Mdm Moderator,

1.    The world has come a long way since the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, or CRPD, was adopted 10 years ago. 

2.    We are pleased to note that the CRPD enjoys broad support among member states. It has been ratified by 169 member states, including my own, and is one of the most widely ratified human rights treaties.

3.    The CRPD is important as it seeks to ensure that persons with disabilities are not discriminated against and enjoy full and effective participation and inclusion in society.

4.    We are also happy to note that the need to ensure an inclusive society, including for persons with disabilities, has been mainstreamed in the UN’s agenda, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda.

5.    However, we need to do more to ensure a truly inclusive society for persons with disabilities, and to ensure that no one is left behind.  Clearly, we need a more coordinated and integrated approach to drive further progress.  We all need to play a part.

6.    On this special occasion, I would like to underscore that Singapore is committed to fully implementing our obligations under the CRPD and to building an inclusive society for all.  We believe that all Singaporeans, of all abilities, should be given equal opportunities to lead fulfilled and engaged lives.

7.    Since we ratified the CRPD in 2013, Singapore has made good strides in the area of early intervention, education, employment, mobility and accessibility as well as supporting the use of assistive technology for work, play and improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities. Today, there are more support services and assistance available for persons with disabilities to live their aspirations and realise their potential.

Mdm Moderator,

8.    I do not have specific questions to pose, but I would like to offer three suggestions as part of our contribution to the discussion on how we can drive progress at the national level.

9.    First, we need vision and commitment from Governments.   In our experience, having a long-term plan will help drive policy from the top.  In Singapore, we have a 5-year Enabling Masterplan, and we are already implementing our second Masterplan. The Enabling Masterplan charts the roadmap for Singapore as we work towards becoming an inclusive society where persons with disabilities become integral and contributing members of society.

10.    Second, having a Masterplan is only the first step.  We need to have the necessary support systems to implement the plan.  In Singapore, we have a number of schemes to support our Enabling Masterplan.   For example:

·        Our Open Door Programme subsidises the costs employees incur to recruit, train, and undertake job accommodations for employees with disabilities.

·        Our ArtReach initiative supports projects by artists and VWOs that harness the arts to improve the well-being of persons with disabilities and other underprivileged groups.

·        Our Accessibility Fund helps defray the costs of upgrading private buildings to make them accessible to all.

11.    Finally, beyond the support schemes and hardware, it is equally important to raise awareness in the wider community on disability issues, and to nurture the right attitudes towards interacting with persons with disabilities among us.  This is why we launched a national campaign “See the true me” in Singapore.  The campaign reflects a concerted effort by our Government to make inclusivity part of the lives of every Singaporeans by enabling them to better understand and empathise with the challenges persons with disabilities face.

Madam Moderator,

12.    These are some important steps we can take to make our societies an inclusive home for everyone.  Singapore will not rest on our laurels.  We will continue to improve and take steps to build an inclusive society for persons with disabilities and to ensure that no one is left behind.

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