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Post workshop activity

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3. What are the barriers/challenges faced by the community in your ComEd? (Special needs)

People might not want to speak or interact with them

The public has stereotypes about people with special needs and think they are inferior

Lack of equality in opportunities

The public likes to label people based on their first impressions/perceptions

4. How may these barriers/challenges be overcome? [Post your preliminary ideas.]

Have a open mindset towards people with special needs.

Allowing others and self to have the opportunity to interact with them

Raise awareness

Education

Doing community service

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What are some of the barriers faced by COMed group

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What are some of the barriers faced by COMed group

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cannot focus on tasks, do things very slowly, slow processing, cannot understand etc.

Can only do easy tasks

Are scared of interacting with people different from them

Their disability and less intelligent self may make them feel less accepted into the society

Family background

Education

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what challenges does the community you’re serving in face?
- many of the elderly have people in the elderly center that they avoid or refuse to talk to, which is a problem because the people they can interact with are already limited enough and they’re just limiting it further
- the entertainment that the elderly enjoy normally have them doing nothing and us doing everything, which is bad because we are supposed to find ways to both entertain them and engage them at the same time
- many of the elderly are unable to fit into society as they are unable to do many things the younger generation is able to do very easily. hence, they are sometimes left alone in their own homes. furthermore, some of them do not have their children visit them. the elderly are also not very mobile and some are unable to communicate easily

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- Generation gap (no one to talk to)
- Difficulties in integrating into the digital age
- Health conditions
- Mobility issues

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Challenges/barriers faced by people with special needs

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Challenges/barriers faced by people with special needs

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They are often looked down on and therefore ostracised. They are judged as being different just because they cannot do some of the things as well as we are able to do. They are often stereotyped to be inferior or less capable and people do not want to spend time with them due to the assumption that they are ‘useless’ in a sense. Many people also think that they are weird and often ‘act up’, and therefore people with special needs are avoided.

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1. What are some stereotypes the Indian lady and the Chinese have of people from the other racial group?

Indians:

Never bathe

Dark/Black skin colour

Live in India (all Indians come from India)

Always have a red dot/sticker on forehead

don’t eat meat/pork

only celebrate Deepavali

dangerous, bad and scary

Chinese:

arrogant, like to bully other races.

Only care about themselves. Ignorant. Don’t make friends from other races

2. What other barriers prevent a society from being inclusive?

Parents that influence their children

Stereotypes

Lack of interaction between the races

Lack of understanding of the different cultures

Personal negative experiences with other races that cause people to generalise everyone from that race as “bad”

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We think that social experiments like this one should be carried out in secondary schools because it can benefit both parties and break stereotypes. Many teenagers’ mindsets cannot be easily changed, so social experiments might open their minds, broaden their horizons and let them see the world in a new perspective.
We can accept everyone with an open heart by not judging people and stereotyping them. For example, we can make friends with our neighbours and perhaps offer them food. If we see someone in need of help, we can extend a helping hand to them. For example, if we see our neighbour trip and fall and drop her apples, we can help her up and help her collect her apples.

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Do you think that social experiments like this one should be carried out in secondary schools?

We feel that this kind of social experiment could be carried out since it is both beneficial to both parties. From the video, we can see that Bill (elderly) changed the perception of teenagers in SIngapore and became very welcomed and included after being invited to lunch. He was also proven to be more healthy. As for Kieyron (school boy), his self-esteem improved a lot and have confidence in himself. This shows that the interaction between both parties can possibly bring positive results and better their lives.

What can you do as an individual to bring about an inclusive community in your neighbourhood?

We feel that Kieyron in the video is a very good example of inclusive individual. He take cares of Bill’s feelings and is accepting towards their differences in opinion. Despite the difference in race, Kieyron invites Bill to lunch and Bill does not mind experiencing food of a different culture. We feel that the key to being inclusive as an individual is the consideration and acceptance you give towards each other so as to better empathise with them. From there, we can build strong friendship and understanding.

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1. Do you think that social experiments like this one should be carried out in secondary schools? (video)

Yes

It is beneficial to both sides of the party. The kid as shown in the video improved his self-esteem and Uncle Bill’s fitness improved too.

This also helps people to change their perspectives about other generations. In the video Uncle Bill first thought that there is no hope for the future young generation of Singapore, but after the experiment and becoming friends with Kieyron, he stated that “his perception of young people will change if everyone is like Kieyron”.

Overall, the social experiment will have a positive impact on our society.

But it might still fail if both sides do not mesh well together

2. What can you do as an individual to bring about an inclusive community in your neighbourhood? (video)

Change your perspective of people with disabilities. Just because they are different doesn't mean they are any less than us and cannot function on their own. They should be given a chance just like everybody else.

Try not to leave anybody behind

Don’t make them feel left out or when they are included don’t make them feel “special” (in a not good way)

Respect other people’s race, religion and practices. Don’t mock them

3. What prevents people from letting others know about their disabled family members?

perhaps out of shame, fear or helplessness

People are not always comfortable interacting with the child

fear or hesitation

4. What attitude do the majority of the people have towards the disabled in Singapore?

Singaporeans are willing to share public spaces with children with special needs, but are not willing to interact with them

uncomfortable about their child having to sit next to one with special needs in class

empathy, pity and love

they are wary of them because they are not familiar with their condition. thus, they form stereotypes that may be untrue or does not apply to all people with special needs

Singaporeans also tend to discriminate against the capabilities of people with special needs, as they think they are not as skilled as us due to their special needs.

fear or hesitation

5. What can the government do to help change the perception of people towards the disabled?

holding talks to raise awareness about disability issues

Go to schools, offices and other organisations to get the public to understand what people with disabilities are going through and to think of how to ease the barriers

special education schools for children with disabilities would be paired with mainstream schools, so that students from both schools have opportunities to mingle, for example, during recess and at school events.

inclusive pre-schools so children with disabilities learn and play alongside other kids in the same classroom.

The government can provide more opportunities for the disabled in society so that they have a higher chance of success in life.The public would hence realise that the disabled have the same potential as anyone else, and if they are given a chance, they can still shine.

The government may also provide greater support and more resources for special schools that teach the disabled.

the government can also start up a school for special needs, because currently all schools catered for special needs are funded by charity organisations which might not be good in the long run due to financial difficulties.

6. Besides the government, what can individuals do to build a more inclusive society?

Have a open mindset towards people with special needs.

Allowing others to have the opportunity to interact with them

individuals can start cultivating an inclusive neighbourhood by promoting racial harmony and lending a hand if they can to lower-income families. Simple favours like watering the plants while your neighbour is away on holiday can also improve relationships. In addition, we can take the initiative to invite people from our neighbourhood over during events like Chinese New Year. we can also celebrate the differences (racial, etc) by going over to wish your Indian neighbour happy Deepavali even if you are not an Indian.

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People with disabled family members choose to keep them at home or put them in institutions. They often put them out of sight and out of public’s mind. They did this perhaps out of shame, fear or helplessness.
The public often ignore them and are not willing to talk to them even thought they do not mind sharing space with them. Social stigmas - one in three parents have heard other people, mostly adults, saying mean things about their special needs children.
The government will focus on building an inclusive society with opportunities to succeed regardless of background, support its seniors, foster a caring society, as well as increase support for young families to make parenthood more enjoyable.
We should respect one another as equals regardless of differences.

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Do you think tha social experiments like this should be carried out in secondary schools?
Yes, as this allows for the breaking of stigmas and lets people understand that friendship is not limited to the same generation and age. It brings awareness to both parties and they both change their mindsets and grew throughout this experiment. Bill changed his perception of young people and Kieyron’s self esteem also improved.
What can you do as an individual to bring about an inclusive community in you neighbourhood?
Trying not to stereotype people and include everyone, don’t leave anyone behind. Think of yourself as equal to everyone and no one is superior to the other, and treat everyone with respect no matter their background, religion etc.
3. Pride, worry of social status? Other people’s judgement
4. survey of 1,000 people on their attitudes towards children with disabilities found that close to two-thirds of the respondents shared the belief that Singaporeans are willing to share public spaces with children with special needs, but are not willing to interact with them.
Half of the parents polled were uncomfortable about their child having to sit next to one with special needs in class. I think that people are fine with disabled people but they just do not wish to interact with them. I feel like parents will also tell them to not go near the disabled.
5. Have people and the disabled do activities together for the people to understand the disabled needs to empathise with them.
6. Not have stereotypes about people from different backgrounds and have an open mind.

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Do you think that social experiments like this one should be carried out in secondary schools?

Yes, definitely. There are many people out there who are willing to make new friends no matter how large their age gap is. These kind of social experiments can help individuals in one way or another and also show Singaporeans that there is hope for the future, because of these people.

What can you do as an individual to bring an inclusive community in your neighbourhood?

I believe that a small action of just smiling to a neighbour you recognise at the void deck or playground is a step to getting to know your neighbourhood better. This way, everyone would feel homier and accepted into the society. Many who are less fortunate may have a mindset to think that their life has no meaning at all. Our one little action can create an endless ripple that goes a Long Long way!

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The Indian lady thought that all chinese were arrogant and the chinese family thought that Indians were scary.
First impressions and Family influence can also be a barrier

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What are some stereotypes the Indian lady and the Chinese have of people from the other racial group?

The Indian lady felt that the Chinese were arrogant, unfriendly and difficult to interact with due to her past experience with Chinese, in school and in parks. The Chinese (kid) thought that Indians are from India and all Singaporeans are Chinese. He had thought that Indians were scary for no particular reason.

2. What other barriers prevent a society from being inclusive?

Not understanding other races and having a fixed mindset which will be passed from generations to generations.

3. What are the barriers/challenges faced by the community in your ComEd?[E.g. services provided by the VWO but not accessible by the family for various reasons.]

Age gap (代沟) and their mobility. Some might not be able to enunciate well and we cannot understand. There are some who we cannot interact at all like the dementia patients and those who feels lonely and have low self-esteem
The elderly are neglected by society because when people think of singapore, they think that we are prosperous and rich and doing very well as a country. however, money does not equals to the people doing well. The elderly financially could be stable but that doesn’t mean that they are happy and have good mental health.

4. How may these barriers/challenges be overcome?[Post your preliminary ideas.]

We can let them use our product which improves their self-esteem and social skills. With more understanding from the people and the community, we can embrace the differences we have with an open mind.

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The Chinese thought that the Indians were very scary and didn’t shower, while the Indian lady thought that Chinese were very arrogant.
Some Chinese think that because they’re the majority, they are superior. The Chinese might feel that the other races are not part of Singapore and are outsiders. Many parents might tell their kids not to go near other children who are different from them. Many people might also have misconceptions about other races.

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What are some stereotypes the Indian lady and the Chinese have of people from the other racial group?

Indians never bathe

Indians dark, black

Chinese are arrogant

In the children’s eyes, the Indians were scary

They felt that the Indians were different from them and did not interact with them

Not very approachable

Different and scary

Parents tell children not to go near Indians (adults/children).

What other barriers prevent a society from being inclusive?

Financial status

Class

Religion

Race

What are the barriers/challenges faced by the community in your ComEd?

[E.g. services provided by the VWO but not accessible by the family for various reasons.]

cannot focus on tasks, do things very slowly, slow processing, cannot understand etc.

Can only do easy tasks

Are scared of interacting with people different from them

Their disability and less intelligent self may make them feel less accepted into the society

How may these barriers/challenges be overcome?

encouragement

Meaningful interactions with others

Advices on how to interact with people with special needs

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1. What are some stereotypes the Indian lady and the Chinese have of people from the other racial group?

Indians:

Never bathe

Dark/Black skin colour

Live in India (all Indians come from India)

Always have a red dot/sticker on forehead

don’t eat meat/pork

only celebrate Deepavali

dangerous, bad and scary

Chinese:

arrogant, like to bully other races.

Only care about themselves. Ignorant. Don’t make friends from other races

2. What other barriers prevent a society from being inclusive?

Parents that influence their children

Stereotypes

Lack of interaction between the races

Lack of understanding of the different cultures

Personal negative experiences with other races that cause people to generalise everyone from that race as “bad”