SINGAPORE INCLUSIVE SOCIETY:

Resuming the Central Registry for Disabled Persons

Prepared by:Muhammad Naiz Juzhar ZGA140005Athirah Mohd Amir ZGA140012Kow Kwan Yee ZGA14008Muhamad Shazwi Abd Razak ZGA140011

Content1. Introduction2. Background3. Enabling Masterplan4. Implementation5. Problem6. Case study7. Policy brief

1. INTRODUCTION• UNCRPD has been a major milestone in global disability

development efforts• In 2013, Singapore has joined 132 other countries when

they signed and ratified the UNCRPD • Current registered POP of PWD: 97,200 people (2012)• Vs. UN estimate: Between 540, 000 to 810, 000 people• Total POP of Singapore: 5.4 million people (2014)

• Issue: Lack of data on prevalence rate of disability in Singapore• Why: Closure of Central Registry of Disabled Persons in

1987

2. BACKGROUND

• Singapore became a signatory of the CRPD on 30th November 2012.

• On 18th August 2013, the Republic of Singapore became the latest ASEAN country to ratify the UNCRPD.

• Singapore is expected to submit its initial report to the CRPD within 2 years of ratification which is on 18th August 2015.

Reservations: 1. The Republic of Singapore

reserves the right to continue to apply its current legislative framework by virtue of Article 12, paragraph 4 of the convention.

2. The Republic of Singapore recognized the PWDS have the highest attainable standards of health without discrimination on the basis of disability

3. The Republic of Singapore is fully committed to ensuring the effective and full participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life.

Current National StrategiesFocus on the idea of Singapore 21st Century

• To develop a cohesive and resilient nation with the people is fully equipped to compete in the future and with people’s emotional stakes in Singapore.

In May 2009, Economic Strategies Committee was established.

• Aims to make skills, innovation and productivity as the basis for economic growth and for a broad-based increase in living standards for all citizens as to boost Singapore towards a distinctive global city and an endearing home

The previous Enabling Masterplan (phase one) was improvised, to renew impetus for the betterment of persons with disabilities.

Enabling Masterplan 2012-2016(Vision: to be an inclusive society)

• Principle 1: Take an inclusive approach towards persons with disabilities.

• Principle 2: Recognize the autonomy and independence of persons with disabilities.

• Principle 3: Take an integrated approach with the support of People, Public and Private sectors.

• Principle 4: Involve the community as a source of support and empower families to care.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

3. ENABLING MASTERPLAN FOR INCLUSIVENESS OF SOCIETY

The Person Behind the Vision of an Inclusive Society

Enabling MasterPlan 2007-2011 Key Recommendation (1)

An Inclusive Society where PWDs are

enable to participate fully

5. Community-based services and residential

care

2. Early Intervention & Education For Children With Special Needs

8. Sports, Volunteerism and Public Education

7. Manpower Management

4. Empowering The family as 1st Line Of Support

3. Employment Opportunities

1. Office On Disability

Enabling MasterPlan 2012-2016, Key Recommendation (2)

An Inclusive Society where

PWDs are enable to participate fullyEarly

Intervention

Education & Healthy Lifestyle

Employment

Adult Care

Cross-Cutting Issues1. Caregiver Support & Transition

Management2. Manpower & Technology3. Transport4. Public Education5. Accessibility

Approaches For Formulating The Key Recommendations

Vision Guiding Principles

Strategic Trust

Year Goals

• Focus Group Discussion Caregivers Person with Disabilities VWOs

• Evidence-Base Studies• Disability Statistic

Recommendations

4. IMPLEMENTATION• Spearheaded by:

• Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) • National Council of Social Service (NCSS).

• In September 2006, The Steering Committee for the Enabling Masterplan was formed in enhancing the integration of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Singapore.

• The funding framework for the disability sector adopts a multi-stakeholder approach . Also include the Community Chest, the Totalisator Board Social Service Fund, corporate and private philanthropy.

• SG Enable • Important agency that deal with PWDs in Singapore.• Assist person with disabilities and their caregivers so they can empower themselves

via timely access to information and referral services, grants and scheme for persons with disabilities

Source: Disabled People’s Association Singapore, 2013

Voluntary Welfare Agency

Agency for Integrated

CareAssociation for Persons with Special

Needs

Autism Association Singapore

Autism Resource

Centre

Cerebral Palsy Alliance

Singapore

Down Syndrome

Association

Dyslexia Association Singapore

Handicaps Welfare

AssociationMovement

for the Intellectually

Disabled

Muscular Dystrophy

Association

Rainbow Centre

Singapore Association for the Deaf

Singapore Association

of the Visually

handicapped

Singapore Epilepsy

foundation

Special Education

(SPED)

Employment Assistance

5. PROBLEM IN SINGAPOREClosure of Central Registry of Disabled Persons ● No official body in Singapore that is responsible

for handling registration of people with disabilities

● Reason: number of people who register to use disability services provided by government agencies has already served the same purpose

● Disability service utilisation rate does not necessarily reflect the whole population segment

Database from Ministry of Health and Education● Figures are extrapolated from proportion of

children aged below seven who are diagnosed with impairments

● Number of students in special schools.

● 7,000 children in preschool are disabled

● 13,000 students aged between seven and 18 years old are having disabilities.

Isolation of Data Collection ● No standardisation of database without proper

operation of central registry.

● Combination of data in 2010 - 97,200 people with disabilities

● Majority (77,200) are aged above 18 years old

● Data from ministries are highly overlapped and redundant

Input for Policy-making ● Policy-makers might not have complete

understanding of the scale of the problems

● Inadequate input for policy-making process might cause social needs of people with disabilities remain unaddressed.

6. CROSS COUNTRY CASE STUDY (1)● Malaysia keeps track of the number of

PWDs through a voluntary-based registration system● Handled by the Social Welfare Department

under the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development

● Current number of registered PWDs: 445,006 people (2012)

● UN estimate: Between 3 - 4.5 million people● System does not work as well● Actual number of PWDs are not registering.

Why?

6. CROSS COUNTRY CASE STUDY (2)● Reasons behind poor registration numbers● Lack of awareness● Social stigma associated with being a PWD● Negative discrimination● Malaysia’ s welfare approach (prior to

UNCRPD) has led to an altered perceived view of the public towards PWDs.

6. CROSS COUNTRY CASE STUDY (2)● Suggestions ● Greater awareness promotion efforts● Improve accessibility for PWDs to get to

registration centers● Making registration mandatory for the “OKU

Kad” (disability card)● Campaigns to change/alter negative

perceptions of the public

7. POLICY BRIEF Sent to: Minister of Social and Family Development,

Mr Chan Chun Sing

Recommendation:

Resume operations of Central Registry of Disabled Persons

Reason: To establish reliable and effective information management

Action Plan

1. Nationwide registration campaign

2. One-stop centres

3. Registration counters at various government buildings

4. Public service announcement

ReferencesAng, J. (2013). Have database on disabled people too. The Straits Times. Retrieved December 20, 2014, from http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/have-database-disabled-people-too-20131101 Aziz, O. (2005). The role of statistics in factual-based policy-making. National Strategy for the Development of Statistics. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Department of Statistics. Disability People Association. (2013). Retrieved December 26, 2014, from United Nations as Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: http://www.dpa.org.sg/?page_id=79 Institute Disabilities and Public Policy. (2014). Retrieved December 26, 2014, from Republic of Singapore Ratifies UNCRPD:http://aseanidpp.org/?q=republic-of-singapore-ratifies-uncrpd  Ministry of Social and Family Development. (2012). Enabling Masterplan 2012-2016. Retrieved December 20, 2014, from http://app.msf.gov.sg/Portals/0/Topic/Issues/EDGD/Enabling Masterplan 2012-2016 Report (8 Mar) Ministry of Social and Family Development. (2014). Retrieved December 26, 2014, from Enabling Masterplan: http://app.msf.gov.sg/Research-Room/Research-Statistics/Enabling-Masterplan SG Enable. (2007). Retrieved December 26, 2014, from Enabling Masterplan 2012-2016: https://www.sgenable.sg/about-us/enabling-masterplan-2012-2016/ Yong, C. (2014). No clear data on disability situation in Singapore. The Straits Times. Retrieved December 20, 2014, from http://yourhealth.asiaone.com/content/no-clear-data-disability-situation-singapore