SG Enable

We’re thrilled to share the success of our year-long collaboration with Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore (MSF) to make Sentosa more inclusive and accessible for persons with disabilities and lower-income families.   As the focal agency for disability and inclusion in Singapore, we’ve worked with Sentosa on the below to ensure that everyone can enjoy all that this vibrant destination has to offer: 1) Fair and Inclusive Employment: Increased employment opportunities and support of best practices across Sentosa, with two more island partners (Mount Faber Leisure Group and Capella Hotel, Singapore) attaining the Enabling Mark. 2) Enhanced Accessibility: SDC completed an accessibility audit of key destination spots in Sentosa to identify areas of improvement to better serve individuals with diverse needs and would be releasing a Sentosa accessibility guide in September 2024. SDC has also commenced a trial of the first inclusive beach track on Siloso Beach which allows wheelchair-users to access the water’s edge. They have also enhanced the digital accessibility of Sentosa’s website. 3) Inclusive Experiences: Launch of Wheel-Venture, a wheelchair-accessible tour on Sentosa Island. 4) Collaborative Training: Sentosa will leverage on our comprehensive training programmes on inclusive employment and consumer inclusiveness to raise awareness and build skills for disability inclusion across teams. We’re also pleased to share that persons with disabilities, their families and lower-income families have been invited to enjoy the Island’s offerings as part of Sentosa Cares Week 2024, which has seen more support from Island Partners and a greater number of participants compared to its previous edition. We look forward to a continued partnership in building more inclusive spaces! #InclusiveSociety #EnabledLives

On 3 Sep, the SIM People Development Fund, SG Enable and the Institute of Technical Education launched the Enabling Pathway Programme, a new ground-up initiative to drive long-term employment opportunities and prospects for students with disabilities. Mr Hong Tat Chee, Minister for Transport, was the Guest of Honour at the Event. With SBS Transit Ltd as the first employer-partner, the inaugural partnership in the programme focuses on land transport engineering, providing ITE students with disabilities with crucial industry experience through structured internships, supported by dedicated SG Enable job coaches to ensure a smoother transition from the classroom to the workforce. The Enabling Pathway Programme aims to enhance employment opportunities for students with disabilities in high-growth sectors, improve the alignment between their studies and job prospects, and support them throughout their journey from education to employment. As the first stop and ecosystem-builder for disability-inclusive employment, we engage companies, strengthen support for students and employers, and promote inclusive hiring practices. We invite businesses to join us in realising our vision of an inclusive society and expanding job opportunities for persons with disabilities. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gwK96_cZ #InclusiveSociety #EnabledLives

Everyone has dreams, including persons with disabilities. At Enabling Academy, we enable them to harness their unique potential and make lifelong learning more accessible for them. Together with caregivers, employers, disability employment professionals and training providers, we aim to foster an inclusive society for persons with disabilities to live, learn and work better. Join us in unlocking the potential of persons with disabilities through the power of learning. Visit enablingacademy.sg today!

A recent The Straits Times survey showed that 69% of young people in Singapore believe their workplace is inclusive, but stories like Ms Yap Qian Yin’s are a reminder that there is more to be done. Ms Yap is a business architecture specialist for technology at Accenture Singapore, an Enabling Mark (Gold) recipient. As a wheelchair user, she faced challenges in her job search, especially after she revealed to prospective employers that she had a disability. Such experiences are not uncommon for jobseekers with disabilities. As the first stop and ecosystem builder for disability-inclusive employment, we strive to help them overcome these barriers. Mr Edward Chew, our Director of Service Development (Employment), says that employers can “tap a broader talent pool, including persons with disabilities who have valuable skill sets that may often be overlooked due to their disability.” Not sure how to embark on your inclusive hiring journey? We are here to help: www.sgenable.sg/employers #InclusiveSociety #EnabledLives

Join us at the Enabling Academy Learning Festival on 16 Sep 2024 to discover how persons with disabilities can unlock their potential through the power of learning! The festival will feature exhibitions, activities and trial classes by Enabling Academy's training partners. Persons with disabilities can explore a wide array of training programmes, connect directly with our training partners and try their hand at new skills! Learn more here: www.sgenable.sg/EALF2024 👉 Enabling Academy Learning Festival 🗓 16 Sep 2024, 10am-6pm 📍 Lifelong Learning Institute

Debanjana Bhaumik is a woman who wears many hats. She is a wife, a mother to a nine-year-old with autism and ADHD, and a proud mentor with CaringSG's CAREbuddy programme. A passionate advocate of early intervention for children with special needs, she has mentored five caregivers through the programme, sharing her experiences, helping them access essential resources, and being a listening ear. “Parents are the best advocates for their kids,” Debanjana said. She also emphasised the importance of parents overcoming societal biases surrounding disabilities and seeking the most suitable interventions for their children as soon as possible. Read more about Debanjana’s experience as a CAREbuddy here: https://lnkd.in/gum9vc6S -- As the focal agency for disability and inclusion Singapore, we are dedicated to partnering with caregivers to create a supportive and inclusive community. This is part 1 of 3 of a series where we share stories of caregivers who have benefitted from our efforts under the Alliance for Action for Caregivers of Persons with Disabilities to enhance caregiver support. #InclusiveSociety #EnabledLives

We were honored to be part of the Singapore Healthcare Management 2024 Congress from 13 to 15 August at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre. This event brought together healthcare professionals and administrators to exchange knowledge and best practices on enhancing healthcare systems. Through the panel discussion featuring our Director of Communications & Partnerships, Ms Ai Ling Chia, Dr Chen Shiling from Happee Hearts Movement and Mr Josh Tseng from ETCH Empathy we collectively shared more about providing accessible and empathetic healthcare for persons with disabilities. Here are some learnings from the discussion: 1. Holistic Care through the Biopsychosocial Model: Effective healthcare should consider the biological, psychological, and social factors that impact a person’s overall experience, ensuring a comprehensive approach to patient care. 2. Balancing Compassion with Practicality: While compassion is crucial in healthcare, it must be balanced with practical measures to prevent overwhelming empathy that might impede effective care. 3. Closing the Accessibility Gap: Although physical accessibility has improved, significant gaps remain in technology and processes. E-accessibility in healthcare software, digital platforms, and devices is essential to ensure all patients have access to the services they need. We are grateful that the sharing resonated deeply with the audience, and deeply appreciate Prof Kenneth Kwek, Chief Executive Officer, SGH & DGCEO (Organisational Transformation and Informatics), SingHealth, for boldly committing to disability inclusion across all SingHealth institutions at the conference. As the focal agency and first stop for disability and inclusion, we look forward to contributing to meaningful discussions on how to build a more inclusive healthcare ecosystem for all. #InclusiveSociety #EnabledLives #InclusiveHealthcare #DisabilityInclusion #HealthforAll

Thank you to all who ran (or rather, climbed stairs) for a good cause! About 500 people took part in Frasers Tower’s Vertical Challenge 2024 Singapore Championship at the 39-storey building last week, and for every registered participant, Frasers Tower has donated $15 to the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund (GCTEF) to support persons with disabilities. The event was flagged off by Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua, who also joined 10 persons with disabilities from our partner YMCA of Singapore in completing the challenge! Some of them successfully summitted Mount Fuji in Japan last year! As the focal agency for disability and inclusion in Singapore, we administer GCTEF, which aims to provide persons with disabilities the opportunities to actively contribute to society and lead socially integrated lives. Check out the photos below for a glimpse of our athletes in action! #InclusiveSociety #EnabledLives

As the focal agency for disability and inclusion in Singapore, we are pleased to share the appointment of the Public Education Standing Committee, co-chaired by Mr Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary of Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), and Social and Family Development, Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore (MSF) and Mr Adrian Tan, Chairman, The Ad Planet Group. The committee also comprises members from various industries, including our iChamps Mr Josh Tseng and Ms Theresa Goh. The Public Education Standing Committee seeks to raise the general population's positive perceptions of persons with disabilities and shift attitudes toward greater inclusion. This will be achieved through i’mable, the national public education movement dedicated to driving changes in mindset, ability, and action. Creating an inclusive Singapore requires collective effort. By fostering empathy and recognising the challenges that persons with disabilities face, we can all contribute to a more inclusive society. Learn more about i’mable here: www.imable.sg #InclusiveSociety #EnabledLives

We are delighted to partner IKEA in the unveiling of their revamped Alexandra store, which now showcases enhanced accessibility features and innovative design. Accessible parking, wider aisles and height-adjusted self-checkout counters aside, a newly-dedicated showroom featuring how IKEA seamlessly integrates accessibility into their home furnishings demonstrates their dedication to both functionality and inclusivity. This was a result of focus groups and surveys conducted with persons with disabilities, where valuable feedback was gathered to enhance accessibility in their store refurbishment. As the focal agency for disability and inclusion in Singapore, we were thrilled to see how they incorporated these insights to create a welcoming space for everyone. Interested in making your spaces more inclusive? Write to us at partnerships@sgenable.sg #InclusiveSociety #EnabledLives