Disability in Singapore
Singapore signed on to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2013 and coordinates the Enabling Masterplan with both government and non governmental organisations.
[1] The end of the war saw the British implement the welfare state based on the Beveridge Report, which had repercussions in Singapore.
"[1] The 1960s and 1970s, with Singapore's emphasis on economic growth, saw a new priority on rehabilitating disabled people so as to enable them to join and return to the work force.
[1] Disabled activists from around the world, including Vic Finkelstein, Ed Roberts and Bengt Lindqvist, elected a Singaporean, Ron Chandran Dudley as the first founder chairperson.
[1] Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong included disabled people on the Remaking Singapore campaign in 2002.
In 1970, Singapore passed the Voluntary Sterilisation Act (VSA) which allowed any spouse, parent or legal guardian of a person with recurring or permanent mental or physical disabilities to consent to sterilization on their behalf.
[14] A 2015 study conducted by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) found that a third of people in Singapore would not employ individuals with disabilities.
Singapore, in comparison to other similar countries, does not spend a lot of money on social welfare services.
[18] The government emphasizes the ideas of self-reliance with the family being the first line of a person's support and volunteer and grassroots organizations helping next.
[26] Train station names are announced for the visually impaired and red lights flash to warn of door closings for the deaf.
[32] Since around 2011, the government of Singapore has created early childhood intervention services which include therapy and educational support.
[34] New recommendations for special education also include placing a greater emphasis on life skills necessary for employment and living independently.
[9] Higher education institutions, such as Singapore Management University (SMU), don't always provide accommodations for students with disabilities on hand.
[36] In the case of SMU, when students were seen needing accommodations, the university created a committee with Jack Yong Ho as the head to procure items for inclusion.
[36] Activist, Ron Chandran-Dudley, who was also visually impaired, played an important part in the 1980s by representing Singapore at the first Disabled People's International (DPI) World Congress.
[40] The VSA, which allows individuals to be sterilized was amended in 2012 to give greater consent to people who may undergo the process.
[41] Singapore is a state party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, having signed on 30 November 2012 and ratified on 18 July 2013.
