This reminds me of our students with SEN. When given the same materials, their understanding of the content may differ significantly from their peers. Those with learning difficulties often require considerable effort to decipher, decode, and comprehend the information.

I sincerely hope that the 4th EMP will propel us toward becoming a more inclusive and empathetic society.

It is gratifying to witness the steps Singapore is taking to move towards a more inclusive society for PWDs. Some of the new initiatives rolled out showed that there was consideration for all the different groups of PWDs. I found the segment on inclusive communities - greater disability awareness (infographic above) particularly interesting because I feel that it is vital for more awareness on disabilities generally. Having more public education activities in schools, workplaces and the community will allow more of the general public to have a better understanding of how to react or respond to PWDs when they encounter them. My opinion is that in order to really move forward as an inclusive society, everyone needs to first be aware of PWDs and their struggles to integrate into society.

While 5 years is a short amount of time relative to the changes that need to be made, a step forward is better than standing still ☺

In the past, the presence of this community often went unnoticed unless someone had a family member with special needs. I am also grateful for Singapore’s tremendous efforts to support children with developmental delays in their early stages, which helps minimize learning gaps and provides them with better opportunities for the future.

However, this progress also raises considerations about the cost—both financial and mental—of providing such support. Caregivers often bear the burden of these costs, which can be influenced by their financial status and mental well-being. Singapore has recognized these challenges and introduced programs such as respite care for caregivers and student care services, including after-school care services for older children, to alleviate caregiver stress.

Despite these initiatives, the rising cost of living and increasing expenses for therapies continue to pose challenges for families. Nevertheless, I am proud of Singapore’s introduction of initiatives like the Inclusive Support Programme (InSP) in preschools. This program is a significant step toward supporting children with additional needs and providing meaningful assistance to parents, helping to ease their burdens to some extent.

Since the first Enabling Masterplan in 2007, I think that Singapore has progressed towards achieving its vision of building a caring and inclusive society for Person with Disabilities (PwDs) by looking into different aspects of their lives - living and learning, such lifelong learning (education and the use of assistive technology), active and healthy living through sports and building an environment conducive for living, work and play. 

It takes a village to raise a child and if the child requires higher support needs, so will the people in the village. Besides increasing the quality and quantity of trained professionals who can provide the support for the PwDs across the different stages of their lives, from infancy to early school years to adolescence to adulthood, the caregivers too need the support and care. 

Though we seem a short 5 years short of the year 2030, this ‘deadline’ is only a guide. With the commitment by the Government and stakeholders in the different sectors and on media platforms, I believe that the “bold but planned initiatives” since the first Enabling Masterplan to empower the PwDs across their life stages, coupled with “intentional but subtle nudges” over time, will help create a positive behaviour change in the society and in time, change mindsets. 

I am thankful to Dr Liz and my fellow coursemates for the rich and insightful sharing during the session yesterday. I’ve learnt more about the 4th Enabling Masterplan and I hope that I will be able to continue to contribute towards this broad vision as a learner, a teacher, a parent and as a member in the society.

During the discussion on Enabling Masterplans, I had the chance to hear some insiders news from my group mates. While we all want to support persons with disabilities, the challenges and gaps in the system are present and very real. The issue of manpower is not just about having enough people but ensuring the quality of educators. Significant time and resources must be invested in training educators to be effective. However, attracting the right individuals with right passion for this work is not easy as well… At the same time, the programs in the special education sector must stay relevant to the fast changing world. With AI and technology transforming formats of jobs, it is important to equip PWDs with the skills they need to actively participate in society.

Our group also explored inclusive technology and physical facilities that support PWDs. It is encouraging to see more accommodations and infrastructure being developed in Singapore to promote inclusivity. However, inclusiveness is not just about the “hardware”, the “heart ware” - awareness and understanding is as important. Many people still struggle to interact appropriately with PWDs, focusing on their disabilities rather than their abilities. It is important to remember to focus on what they can do and, when in doubt, ask if they need support instead of assuming or imposing help.

I used to think of learning disabilities like dyslexia as one category by itself and physical disabilities such as a visual impairment as another category by itself. But after embarking on this course, and after starting another course, Learning Disabilities: Issues and Trends, my eyes are now opened to how ALL disabilities come under a huge umbrella and how they might be linked for example, a perceived learning disability in the classroom for instance, language delay might actually be a physical disability for example, a hearing impairment.

Almost everything is an ‘aha’ moment for me actually and as I learn more, I feel empowered a little more. In time, I hope to empower other frogs like me so that we can get out of the well together and help make Singapore as inclusive as we can for people with disabilities, whether the disabilities are obvious or not.

The master plan not only seek continuous improvement, the suggests were realistic and target issues which are happening and arising. Efforts have been made in observing and collecting of data in context to local trends and challenges. The redirection looks into the different stakeholder aspects and not just the person with disability. Many times, sensing and hearing from an outsider perspective can only provide us with that much “surface” information. To truly understand the challenges and needs, viewpoints of the involved parties should be taken into account.

Like the saying goes, “The future belongs to those who give the next generation reason for hope”. Even though I am just an educator, I believed many of us put our thought and worries into the future of the students. Simple questions like “What will happen to them after graduating from school” and “Where would they go and what will happen to them when their family is no longer around?”, is constantly lingering in our mind. It is definitely assuring to know that many schemes are put into place for them to gain independence and reduce the reliance on others by having the opportunities to own a property and cohabiting with roommates. I personally know of some sandlots with ID who fall into this schemes and look after one another at home, at work and at outreach programmes. They have created a family among them despite having to move away form they one they once depend on.

The master plan also taken into account of the possible aids the caregiver required. With an effort to reduce stress and address mental health issues on the rise. Respite services can be a good initiative for caregivers to take short breaks to “recharge” and pick themselves up from where they might have fallen. The effort to look into the needs of the caregivers is truly what they need as sometimes, they may not ask from help and this does not mean that they do not need the help. Family is what we all human cherish the most and for effective intervention to take effect, the participation of supportive family members are important. Hence how can we not consider their needs and shows a little care to them who suffer silently.

The improvisation of the master plan progressively is amazing. There is no perfect solution to a quality life but as the nation move forward together, there is always a safe plan for everyone (disability or not) within the society.

Knowing that there will be more inclusive employers and that MSF is planning to test out Enabling Business Hubs (EBHs) to help people with disabilities get the support they need on the job is really encouraging. This means more people with disabilities will have meaningful and better life after graduation.

It was also reassuring to hear that there will be more caregiving support. Parents often worry about what will happen to their child when they’re gone, but now there will be resources to help caregivers plan for the future. Knowing that SG Enable is working with other partners to create a Future Care Planning Playbook, which will guide caregivers in planning for their family member’s needs. This will help start important conversations earlier and give both caregivers and people with disabilities more time to figure out the best support options.

Even though it's a short 5-year timeline, I hope most of the recommendations will be implemented as we move towards building a more inclusive community.

Previously, I've heard about the enabling masterplan before, but I've never looked through it in-depth. I also really enjoyed listening to others' perspectives of the enabling masterplan, especially those who are working closely with people with disabilities.

Looking at the Enabling Masterplan, I feel proud of living in Singapore where there is a plan to be a more inclusive society. I really like how they have thought through thoroughly in order for the people with disabilities to be more included into our society.

Two areas that I really hope can be achieved will be areas 4 and 5, inclusive employment and inclusive living, as I've heard of many people with disabilities staying at home after they have completed their studies.

Having been overseas, I often see people with disabilities going for field trips but I rarely see them in Singapore. I hope that with this masterplan, the people with disabilities are able to move around easily in Singapore and travel freely to various parts of Singapore with ease.

I would definitely recommend and direct others to read more about these Enabling Masterplans. These Masterplans are significant initiatives aimed at creating a more inclusive and supportive society for people with disabilities in Singapore.

My key takeaways:

Early Intervention and Support: Providing comprehensive support to children with disabilities and their families from an early age, including therapy, education, and assistive technology.

Inclusive Education: Ensuring that all children, regardless of their abilities, have access to quality education and inclusive learning environments.

Accessible Infrastructure: Making public spaces, transportation, and buildings accessible to people with disabilities.

Employment and Economic Participation: Promoting inclusive employment practices, providing job training and support, and creating opportunities for people with disabilities to contribute to the workforce.

Community Living and Support: Supporting independent living arrangements, providing community-based services, and fostering social inclusion.

Most importantly, I am glad to be part of the overall SEN landscape, in my own way as an educator, contributing towards the efforts of building an inclusive society.

On the other hand, there were also limited vacancies in DAC programmes nationwide. Reason being that these centres accept clients from 18 years and above.  Much planning (e.g., infrastructure, manpower, manpower training to increase staff competencies) is needed to increase the limited number of DAC vacancies.  

The pivot from quantity to quality to specialisation when it comes to building a community around people with special needs, is testament to the resilience that Singaporeans have.

An aspect that resonates well with me is the growth from "preparing adults to workforce"

to "creating job opportunities " for those with SEN.

Addressing the needs of individuals with learning disabilities is crucial, particularly in fostering inclusivity. Singapore has made significant strides across various domains, including lifelong learning, independent living, and creating an inclusive environment through a series of Enabling Masterplans. While this national movement positions Singapore as a leader in inclusivity, it remains a privilege not all countries share. To improve conditions for individuals with special needs, nations must continue learning from one another’s policies and best practices.

Although we live in an era of fast-phase life with lots of technological advancements that can greatly enhance policy implementation, it is essential to consider how communities can maximize social participation. By fostering meaningful interactions with individuals with special needs, we can create a more inclusive society.

Additionally, numerous agencies work collaboratively to make progress and ensure continuous development in inclusivity, focusing on areas such as:

1.Inclusive Communication

2.Inclusive Transport

3.Inclusive Public Spaces

4.Inclusive Healthcare

5.Inclusive Sports

6.Inclusive Arts and Heritage

7.Inclusive Communities

Leveraging technology can accelerate progress and yield better outcomes than we might anticipate. By integrating inclusive practices with a more advanced technology, Singapore and other countries adapting to this can build a more accessible future for all.

In conclusion, while progress in inclusivity is being made, it is essential that we continue to collaborate, learn, and innovate. By doing so, we can ensure that individuals with special needs are able to participate fully in society.