Greater inclusiveness for people with disabilities and more support for their caregivers.
These will be part of the focus of the third Enabling Masterplan – a blueprint to guide the development of policies, programmes, services and other support for those with disabilities. A 22-member committee to develop the five-year plan was announced yesterday by Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin at the Enabling Village in Lengkok Bahru.
Chaired by Ms Anita Fam, a board member of the National Council of Social Service, it comprises people from the public and private sectors, including people with disabilities and caregivers. They include Ms Chia Yong Yong, president of voluntary welfare organisation SPD, which supports people with disabilities, and Ms Denise Phua, president of the Autism Resource Centre.
The third masterplan will look into a more seamless transition through stages in life – within the education system and towards employment – for people with disabilities. It will also look into support for caregivers.
“Even if you help with employment, that makes a lot of difference (to families),” said Mr Tan. Individuals may be left without a job after completing school, leaving families “stretched”, he added.
Ms Fam believes more can be done to ensure caregivers know of the avenues of help available, by having resources that are more easily obtainable.
There is also a need to alleviate their worry that no one will be around to care for their loved ones if they are no longer around.
Mr Keh Eng Song, chief executive officer of the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled Singapore, said: “Caregiver support will be increasingly important because we want them to be empowered, and not be dependent on service providers all the time.”
Mr Tan also reiterated the need to incorporate national policies and schemes, such as SkillsFuture and Smart Nation, into the new plan.
For example, under SkillsFuture – a movement to boost skill levels and promote lifelong learning – new modules will be developed for people with disabilities.
“Some of the employers have specific needs, therefore we develop specific training modules so that those with disabilities are trained and can move in quite seamlessly to their jobs as well,” Mr Tan said.
The masterplan will build on the progress made by previousplans.
This includes making more community facilities and public transport services more friendly for those with disabilities, and improving their career prospects.
byseow@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on April 3, 2016.
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