Persons with disabilities can look forward to a new Drop-in Disability Programme at the Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities (THKMC) Senior Activity Centres in Telok Blangah and Ang Mo Kio. This programme is part of a larger effort to widen the range of adult care options for persons with disabilities.
The programme is open to persons with disabilities above 16 years old, with minimal care needs and no major behavioural issues. They can participate in social and recreational activities for a few hours a day, a few times a week. Through this programme, persons with disabilities will have also more opportunities to interact with other members of the community, including the elderly at the senior activity centres. Their caregivers will benefit from the short periods of respite from care-giving.
At the official launch of the pilot programme, Acting Minister for Social and Family Development Mr Chan Chun Sing said, “This Drop-in Disability Programme facilitates social engagement and community integration of persons with disabilities. It also benefits caregivers by giving them a short respite. This pilot programme is an example of our continuing efforts to try out new service ideas to build a more inclusive society.”
Chairman of THKMC, Mr Lee Kim Siang noted the positive interactions between the persons with disabilities and other users of the senior activity centres. He said “This is a good opportunity to promote inter-generational bonding. It is heartening to see the elderly and the young persons with disabilities enjoy each other’s company.”
Interested applicants for the pilot programme can contact Ms Eileen Wong at 6471 4293 or eileenwong@thkmc.org.sg.
Two more pilot drop-in programmes are planned for this year. Under the Enabling Masterplan 2012-2016, the MSF will also enhance care services and provide a wider range of options for adults with disabilities. More Adult Disability Homes (ADHs) and Day Activity Centres (DACs) will also be set up. MSF will add about 450 places to the existing 1,000 places at DACs, and 2,400 places to the existing 830 places in the ADHs by 2020.
