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Speech by Mr Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Social and Family Development and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth at the Enabling Academy Learning Festival 2024

Type: Official Speeches (All), Official Speeches: Eric Chua

Topic(s): Disability Services

Published on 16 September 2024

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

  1. I’m sure everyone is familiar with Benjamin Kheng’s National Day song this year, Not Alone. Don’t worry, I’m not about to break into song, but I want to start today referencing a liner from Ben’s song. And it goes, “The more we’re together, the further we’ll go, you and I, we’re not alone.”
  2. We have heard from persons with disabilities and their caregivers that life can be an isolating and stressful journey. Caregivers have shared concerns about the affordability and accessibility of disability services, we’ve heard from young graduates with disabilities who face huge challenges seeking employment, and we hear the worries of caregivers about where and how their loved ones with disabilities will live when they are no longer around. 
  3. This morning as I reflect on the recommendations of the two Enabling Masterplan 2030 taskforces and the launch of the Enabling Skills and Competencies Framework, I am reminded that the journey in building a more caring and disability inclusive Singapore is and should not be a journey that is taken alone. And I’m heartened that we have had good company in this journey of disability-inclusion. In our taskforces, for instance, we have had members from the private and public sectors, as well as persons with disabilities and caregivers themselves participating in their personal capacity. 
  4. Indeed, we go further when we go together. 
  5. Today, I am pleased to share the “123s” of further steps that we are taking under the Enabling Masterplan 2030 in our journey of disability-inclusion. One, the launch of an Enabling Skills and Competencies Framework, Second, the government’s response to the two sets of recommendations from the EMP2030 taskforces on inclusive employment and community living, and lastly, three exciting new initiatives that we will be embarking on. 

One Skills and Competencies Framework

  1. In this fast-changing world, lifelong learning is a necessity. To empower persons with disabilities to work, live, and participate in the community, SG Enable has developed an Enabling Skills and Competencies Framework. This Framework aims to provide a common skills language to support skills development, its application in the workplace and community, and guide the provision of training programmes. 
  2. The framework also outlines the essential skills for (i) persons with disabilities to participate in the community and in employment; (ii) caregivers to support persons with disabilities; (iii) employers to hire and retain persons with disabilities; and (iv) sector professionals to support persons with disabilities and their employers in employment. 
  3. Having a common skills language enables the community surrounding the person with disability to come alongside and support him or her in the acquisition and application of the skills they need in the workplace, and beyond. 
  4. I am heartened to share that we have early adopters of the framework such as Mr. Lim Yixian, Manager of Ban Chuan Trading and Engineering, who has found the Career Exploration Guide in the ESCF useful to generate clearer job descriptions for persons with disabilities that not only highlight the vocational skills required but also the essential soft skills needed. I am looking forward to seeing more companies adopt the ESCF in action.

Two EMP2030 Taskforces

  1. Under the Enabling Masterplan 2030, two taskforces were set up in 2022 to develop alternative employment models and strategies to bolster inclusive employment; and develop new community living models for persons with disabilities. 
  2. Both taskforces have concluded their two years of work and released their recommendations, which you can find on the MSF website. The Government accepts the Taskforces’ recommendations, and we want to thank the chairpersons. I thank the co-chairs Ms Susan Chong and Ms Jacelyn Lim, as well as all taskforce members for their passion and dedication to gather feedback and their thoughtful effort in developing the reports.  
  3. To implement these recommendations, the Government will be working closely  with our partners and stakeholders.  Together, we can enable persons with disabilities to pursue their aspirations and participate in society as integral and contributing members.  
  4. Based on the Taskforce on Promoting Inclusive Employment Practices’ recommendations, to enable persons with disabilities to achieve greater independence through work, MSF and SG Enable will: 
    1. Work to increase the number of inclusive employers in six key sectors and the Public Service by cultivating inclusive hiring champions and introducing additional financial support for employers to build up inclusive hiring capabilities;
    2. Leverage on gig jobs as a pathway for persons with disabilities to re-enter the workforce and progress towards formal employment, or as a permanent, flexible employment option; and lastly
 
    3. Build capabilities of job coaches who support the placement and adjustment of persons with disabilities in workplaces through the Job Coach Career Map that SGE is launching as part of the ESCF which outlines the skills, competencies, and career progression pathways of job coaches, and work towards requiring baseline certification by 2030. 
  5. To follow up on the Taskforce on Community Living for Persons with Disabilities’ recommendations, we are working on three exciting upcoming initiatives. 

Three Upcoming Initiatives 

Enhanced programming for Home-Based Behavioural Intervention Service, Day Activity Centres, and Sheltered Workshops

  1. First, to better equip persons with disabilities with the functional skills they need to be more independent at home and participate in community, MSF and SG Enable will identify and work with disability SSAs to review and enhance our current Home-Based Behavioural Intervention Service, Day Activity Centres, and Sheltered Workshop programmes. 
  2. We will pilot a structured and consistent skills development pathway across different centres, which builds upon the ESCF, to enable persons with disabilities to acquire new competencies. With this in place, it helps to build on their learning from SPED schools. 
  3. Through the pilot, we hope persons with disabilities will be better trained to live  independently and acquire the necessary vocational skills. At the same time, it  continues to provide care services for persons with disabilities and families who need higher support.

Enabled Living Programme

  1. Another focus is to give persons with disabilities other options to live independently in the community. Through our engagements, persons with disabilities and caregivers have asked for alternative housing and service models so that persons with disabilities can continue living in the community as long as possible, even when their family members and primary caregivers have passed on. 
  2. Our second pilot, the Enabled Living Programme (ELP), will provide home-based support services for persons with disabilities with low to moderate support needs. MSF and SG Enable will work with relevant agencies and disability SSAs to design and implement the ELP from 2025. 

Person- and family-centred planning framework

  1. Lastly, we recognise that persons with disabilities and their families need better support in navigating life transitions as their needs and aspirations change over time. 
  2. We will work on establishing a planning framework that places persons with disabilities and their families at the centre, supporting them to identify and update their goals and plans, and activating support from the family, community, and services through these transitions. 
  3. MSF, MOE and SG Enable will partner disability sector professionals to develop this framework. More details will be released later. 
  4. As we implement these recommendations to improve support and enhance services for persons with disabilities' lifelong learning, employment, independent living and transitions across life's course  we will continue to keep costs affordable for persons with disabilities and their families. 

“Disability Inclusion is a Whole-of-Society Effort”

  1. Ladies and gentlemen, I started with a song lyric, and I would like to end with a line from “Our Story”, an original song on disability inclusion, commissioned for SG Enable’s 10th Anniversary which was also featured in the National Day Parade this year. The bridge goes, “Through the darkest days, we know we’ll see it through, you are my family, my pillar and my strength”. 
  2. Together with my MSF and SG Enable colleagues, we will continue working alongside employers, community partners, professionals and volunteers in this space to build a more inclusive and caring Singapore; one where individuals of all abilities can thrive, and realise their fullest potential. We can, we will, and we must. Thank you.