Mr Tan Soo Khoon, Patron of the Down Syndrome Association (DSA)
Mr Alex Yan, Chairperson of the DSA
DSA Advisors, Board Members,
Distinguished guests,
Members of DSA and their families,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. A very good evening to all of you.
2. I want to begin by thanking the organising committee for planning such a thoughtful programme, showcasing the abilities and talents of our children and young people with Down syndrome while acknowledging the efforts of the DSA community.
Celebrating the Achievements of DSA
3. DSA has grown from strength to strength since its beginnings as a Parent Support Group in 1996. DSA showed resilience in navigating those early days when local resources and understanding on Down syndrome were limited. Since then, DSA has expanded its outreach and suite of services to cater to persons with Down syndrome of all ages. DSA has also supported families by being the go-to centre for specialist services, information, and education.
4. For 26 years, DSA has touched the lives of hundreds of beneficiaries and their families. This did not happen by accident. This has only been possible because of the commitment and hard work of the DSA beneficiaries, committee members, and volunteers, and community partners, many of whom are here tonight.
Theme: "What Does Inclusion Mean?"
5. Tonight's theme, "What does Inclusion Mean?", is a timely question, as we seek to tighten Singapore's social compact amid global turbulence. As a small city-state, Singapore is not immune to the effects of political, economic, social, and environmental changes around the world.
6. While managing change may seem daunting, I encourage you to take advantage of these changes to co-create a more inclusive Singapore that we can be a part of, one that, hopefully, can surpass even the wildest dreams of the first parents who started the DSA.
7. Together, we can embark on this next part of our nation building to create a Singapore, where every Singaporean, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, can be assured of opportunities for growth. In Singapore, each and every person can be confident to forge their own path, regardless of their abilities, with dignity and companionship.
Preparing for the Journey of Inclusion
8. Now, the question is, what do we need to do for next part of this journey? We need to have a roadmap, a plan to help us all navigate around potential roadblocks and fix potholes along the way, and also to cheer each other on and sustain one another throughout this journey.
Roadmap: Enabling Masterplan 2030
9. Firstly, let me talk about our roadmap. Recently, the Ministry for Social and Family Development (MSF) launched the Enabling Masterplan 2030 (EMP2030), a roadmap of inclusive opportunities. This was done in consultation with more than 300 persons with disabilities, caregivers, and representatives from social service organisations. This is a roadmap that articulates the necessary actions to be taken to consider the needs of persons with disabilities and their caregivers in all life stages. This is the fourth installment of our Enabling Masterplan, and a call to action for all of us to take a Person-Centred approach. I was involved in this as some of you may recall – in the second edition some years back when I was with MSF. A key part of this plan, when we discussed this in Cabinet, was not how we were going to finance it. I vividly remember what we discussed two key things. Today in Singapore, perhaps finances is not necessarily the most difficult thing for us to muster for our community with disabilities. We have always asked each and every one to try to contribute their time, talent and treasures. Of the three, treasures is perhaps the simplest. Increasingly, we will need talented individuals like many of you here to contribute your talent and time. Because that is what we are most short of.
10. Today, many of our children with disabilities will grow old, to ripe old ages, and we need a masterplan to support them in their adulthood, and this is one of the biggest gaps that we want to work on as part of our masterplan. The post-18 years, as we call it, in terms of care arrangements and job opportunities. When we say we need to do this, it is not about what communities and volunteers can do to take care of our people and children with disabilities, but also about creating those opportunities for them to live a life with dignity. That will require our partner organisations to open their doors, open their hearts, to create those opportunities intentionally for our children so that parents and caregivers can have peace of mind that one day, even when we are not around, our children with disabilities will be cared for and respected by society.
Navigating Important Transitions
11. We will need to skillfully navigate important transitions, which are some potential roadblocks on this journey.
Birth to Early Intervention
12. It is not easy for persons with Down syndrome and their families, likewise for parents with children with other disabilities, to navigate these transitions alone. That is where DSA has done an excellent job by providing emotional support through its Parent Mentoring Services. Very often, while we care for the person with disability, we do not pay enough attention to the caregivers who can be lonely in their journeys. I would like to thank DSA for starting the Early Start Family Programme (ESFP), a virtual early intervention programme that complements its on-site therapy for children with Down syndrome. Early intervention not only enhances the child's development, but also offer caregivers support, encouragement, and information.
School to Meaningful Employment
13. For many persons with disabilities, one of the biggest roadblocks they face in their lives is the transition from school to work. How will we prepare and support them in school, and beyond the schooling years, to create those opportunities for them in the workplace? How do they do the work they enjoy and are good at and be recognised for their abilities? I will give three examples.
14. DSA already provides structured opportunities for open employment for their adult clients. With a comprehensive supported employment framework in place, DSA creates formal job support to equip their clients with the relevant skills to be "work-ready", maximising their potential for success in the workforce. In a world where the nature of job is evolving quickly, our challenge is to identify skills that are relevant and transferrable, and to continue creating employment opportunities for persons with special needs.
15. Next, MOE will be implementing the Vocational Education Teaching and Learning Syllabus (VETLS) in 20 Special Education (SPED) schools from January 2023, which will complement and support DSA's initiatives. This Vocational Education syllabus includes a broader definition of work and recognises the impact our SPED graduates can make in a range of settings. These include open employment, sheltered and customised employment, volunteering, and home-based work. The SPED students will be guided collaboratively by their teachers, Job Coaches, and Allied Professionals along with their caregivers. They can better discover their personal strengths and interests, gain soft skills and work competencies through a Continuum of Work Experience, preparing them for eventual transition to work.
16. Thirdly, MOE, MSF, and SG Enable work very closely to put in the place the School-to-Work (S2W) Transition Programme enhancing the post-18 care and work options for persons with disabilities, including those with Down syndrome. With the support of different industry partners, including the Singapore Business Federation, the S2W Transition Programme provides a range of post-school training and employment pathways to cater to diverse needs.
17. As the needs of persons with disabilities change over time, we also need to ensure that they know where to find the support necessary for employment and independent living, and access them easily. The Government will be driving the following initiatives:
- Growing the number of inclusive employers and expanding the range of alternative and supported employment models. For instance, Pan Pacific Hotels Group has been a strong partner, working with SPED schools and SG Enable to offer job shadowing, work attachments, and internships for SPED students and persons with disabilities.
- Developing new community living models and reviewing existing community- and residential-based adult disability services; and
- Providing a range of support services enabling persons with disabilities to manage daily practical demands and live well in the community.
18. The Government cannot do this alone. We will need everyone, including community and industry partners, to work together to achieve these plans.
19. When given the right opportunities and support to navigate such potential roadblocks and prepare for the post-18 landscape, I believe that persons with disabilities, including those with Down syndrome, can further tap into their strengths, be valued for their abilities, and contribute meaningfully to society.
Acknowledgement of Caregivers and Teachers
20. Tonight, I want to acknowledge all the caregivers who are here with us and working behind the scene. It is not easy. Caregivers – including parents, siblings, relatives and SPED teachers – can easily suffer from emotional burnout. Caregivers and teachers can only support persons with Down syndrome to their best ability, when they too, are supported. Often, these caregivers and teachers work with such unceasing love and devotion that we risk taking their efforts for granted. So, I just want to say thank you to our caregivers and SPED teachers for nurturing and bringing out the best in each and every person with Down syndrome under their care.
Conclusion
21. I believe that the caregivers, parents and SPED teachers who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to take care of our community with special needs are the true Guests-of-Honour tonight.
22. It is a challenging task, but I assure you that in Singapore, we are committed to build a community where no one will walk alone. We can do so by speaking kind words and showing kind gestures, for example, giving way to wheelchairs and being respectful towards persons with special needs. All of that makes our community that much more heartwarming, and will truly distinguish Singapore as a nation. Today, we take pride in our material success. In time to come, as we move towards SG100, I hope we will also distinguish ourselves by how we take care of those who need more assistance.
23. Finally, I hope all guests here tonight will continue to support DSA. Thank you very much and may you have a good evening ahead.