Disability in Singapore

A discourse of charity generally permeated in Singapore since the post world war 2 period. Support for disabled people was left to the community, who set up various voluntary organisations.[1] The end of the war saw the British implement the welfare state based on the Beveridge Report, which had repercussions in Singapore. As part of this focus on welfare, a Social Welfare Department (SWD) was set up in 1946.[1] SWD was meant to provide permanent assistance only for those with a permanent disability or because of old age.[1] However, the SWD was not as comprehensive as the British system.[2] The SWD also did not provide provisions for special education and in fact, seemed to have the idea that children with special needs would "hinder the typical child's education."[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] It was only in 1981, when the first world congress of Disabled People's International was held in Singapore that began a new discourse based on the social model of disability.[1] Disabled activists from around the world, including Vic Finkelstein, Ed Roberts (activist) and Bengt Lindqvist, elected a Singaporean, Ron Chandran Dudley as the first founder chairperson. This was to lead to a growth in disability activism from the 1980s onwards.[1]

In 1983, the Ministry of Social Affairs held a workshop on people with disabilities and came up with a formal policy about how to advocate for people with disabilities.[1] The workshop came up with the first nationally endorsed definition of disability that recognized their needs in society.[1] The Advisory Council on the Disabled was formed in April 1988 and was first chaired by Tony Tan.[1] The council emphasized the importance of integrating disabled people as equal citizens.[1]

Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong included disabled people on the Remaking Singapore campaign in 2002.[3] Also in 2002, the government created a voluntary, affordable form of health insurance called ElderShield.[4] The insurance helps pay for expenses in the care of severely disabled people.[4]

In 2013, Singapore signed onto the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).[5]

For individuals over 50, around 13.3% are considered disabled; between ages 18 and 49, around 3.4% are disabled and 2.1% of children under 18 are disabled in Singapore.[6] Of those who have a disability, around half are considered physical or sensory disabilities.[6] One in 68 children in Singapore has been diagnosed with autism.[7] The number of children diagnosed with autism has increased in Singapore over time.[8] Around 5 to 6 percent of children born in Singapore have developmental problems of various types.[9]

Only 0.55% of the Singapore workforce has a disability of some kind.[10]

Around half of people with physical disabilities acquired them through congenital or hereditary means.[11]

In Singapore, there has been an emphasis on rehabilitating those with disabilities.[12] People who were unable to work have often been seen through a utilitarian lens, since they were deemed as unable to contribute economically to the country.[3]

In addition, the prevention of disabilities was seen as important. 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.[13] This gave caregivers of people with disabilities "inordinate power to make decisions on their behalf."[13] During the 1980s and 90s, many disabled people were kept at home or put into institutions.[9]

People who have disabilities that are less obvious face social judgement and stigma for their disability.[14] They are often questioned whether they need assistance because they don't "look" disabled.[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.[15] Many Singaporeans are unsure how to interact with people with disabilities because the etiquette in such situations was unclear.[16]

Since the founding of the Singapore Disability Sports Council (then named the "Singapore Sports Council for the Handicapped") in 1973, Singaporean disabled athletes started participation in regional and Commonwealth disability sport events.[17] Singapore entered a team in Paralympic Games for the first time at the 1988 Summer Paralympics, and have participated in every Summer Games since.

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.[18] Because family is the "first line of support," people with disabilities who rely on caregivers are "often at the mercy of the vagaries of family relationships."[19]

Modern views on working with people who have disabilities in Singapore have evolved over time. Nevertheless, the government does not have a "clear definition of disability and persons with disability."[20]

The Enabling Masterplan 2012-2016 recommended promoting inclusiveness for people with disabilities through educational campaigns.[21] Several campaigns took place in 2013, some promoted by the government and others by NGOs.[22]

In 2016, a campaign to raise Singaporean's awareness of people with disabilities was unveiled.[15] The five-year campaign was created by NCSS and is called "See the True Me."[15] In 2017, the government of Singapore allocated $400 million on people with disabilities.[10] A school-to-work transition program for students who have developmental and intellectual disabilities was created in 2017.[23]

Individuals with a developmental disability are able to use a Developmental Disability Registry Identity Card (DDR ID Card) which provides discounts and access to participating facilities.[24] In addition, people with developmental disabilities are aided in police investigations by the Appropriate Adult Scheme (AAS) of 2015.[25]

Infrastructure

Wheelchair bus ramp.

All train stations in Singapore are equipped with accessible entrances and elevators.[26] Stations also have braille information and tactile surface indicators.[26] Train station names are announced for the visually impaired and red lights flash to warn of door closings for the deaf.[26] The Enabling Masterplan 2012-2016 also provided Singapore with accessible signage for public transportation and in public areas and buildings.[27]

Accessible parking is available for individuals with physical disabilities.[28]

Housing structures provided by the Housing Development Board (HDB) are free of barriers and since 2006, older housing estates have been upgraded with ramps, handrails and provide other types of assistance to people with disabilities.[26]

The public environment since has been improved through the Code on Accessibility in the Built Environment 2013, which provides greater accessibility in buildings and infrastructure constructed after 2013.[27] Companies are provided support through the government to upgrade existing facilities in order to provide "basic accessibility features."[29]

• Chng Seok Tin
• Frankie Thanapal Sinniah

• List of disability organisations in Singapore

• 3rd Enabling Masterplan