President of the Disabled People's Association, Mr Ron Chandran-Dudley,

The Board and Members of the Association,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Evening.

Changing Demographics

1 It is all too easy to ignore the disabled. This subject is a stark reminder of the ultimate frailty of life. Some people feel that disability is an economic liability, not worth investing in. And yet, it is often a story of the victory of the human spirit over adversity. It goes to the heart of how we value our fellow men and women; and the obligations that spring from this. On the other hand, it is also possible for us to overcompensate, due perhaps to a guilty over-reaction. I would like to make three points tonight.

2 Firstly, the government does not, will not, and cannot afford to ignore the disabled. Secondly, the disabled must take the lead to help themselves, in collaboration with their partners in society. This is what the Disabled People's Association has been doing all these years. Thirdly, the ultimate goal is to achieve maximum integration of the disabled into mainstream society so that they can lead fulfilled lives.

3 In the early 1900s, the average human lifespan was only about 47 years. Today, the average lifespan has increased to about 76, due largely to healthier living and advances in health care. However, more people are now living with disability, as medical advances have also enabled people to survive illness and accidents, which were previously fatal. Globally, these demographic changes will result in a population that is older and with more people having disabilities.

4 In Singapore, the population of those aged 65 and above has grown annually by about 3.7% over the last decade. In the next few decades, the proportion of our elderly will increase tremendously from the current 7% of total population to 19% by the year 2030, or one in every five persons. This makes Singapore one of the fastest ageing populations in Asia. The effects of this demographic change on our society will be broad and pervasive.

5 While the majority of older persons are expected to lead normal healthy lives, we can also expect a significant increase in the number of persons with disabilities due to age related illnesses. The types of disabilities are varied, ranging from physiological to mental. Some can lead normal lives with few adjustments, while others will need a higher level of care and assistance. They may be wheelchair bound or have difficulties moving around because of failing eyesight or restricted mobility.

A Sustainable Approach

6 In providing services for people with disabilities, the Government adopts a "Many Helping Hands" approach, involving a tripartite relationship between the Government, the citizenry and the voluntary sector. The objective is to actively involve families and the community to provide for the needs of the disabled and to help integrate them into the society. In the process, community support helps to build strong and stable families as well as an active and caring community.

Meeting Disability Needs Through Building Design

7 The Government remains committed to helping the elderly and disabled persons live meaningful lives. The HDB, in planning and developing public housing in Singapore, has recognized the demographic changes and has started to prepare for it. Elderly friendly flats suitable for older persons are being built. New flats are designed with the concept of 'ageing in place' i.e. homeowners can modify their flats easily to suit their individual needs as they age without the need to relocate. In our upgrading programmes for older housing estates, lifts are being upgraded to stop at every floor, where technically and economically feasible. Handrails and ramps are also incorporated in the common areas and corridors creating a barrier-free environment for easy access. This is especially useful to wheelchair users and older persons.

8 Where possible, accessible design in our built environment is provided to allow people with disabilities to participate in communal activities and not be excluded from the wider community. The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) had established a Code on Barrier Free Accessibility in Buildings to encourage developers and architects to design buildings allowing easy access for people with disabilities. MRT stations are also being built to comply with the code to cater to the needs of people with disabilities. By late 2005, all MRT stations will be equipped with lifts. Currently, cinemas are also required to provide two wheelchair space for every 400 seats under the Code. The Code's primary objective is to assure a minimum level of accessibility to persons with disabilities in the common and work areas of the built environment. Persons with disabilities will no longer need to be confined to where they live.

9 The Code has recently been revised. I am pleased to note that your affiliated members, the Handicaps Welfare Association (HWA) and the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH), were very much involved in this review exercise. With the revised Code in place, the next step would be to raise the awareness amongst developers, designers and building owners to be sensitive to the changing needs of our population.

Meeting Disability Needs Through Community Groups

10 In this aspect, volunteer organizations and community groups like yourself play an important role. The Disabled People's Association, represents a wide spectrum of people with various forms of disabilities. With the expected increase in the number of persons with disabilities due to demographic changes, you will be representing an even wider segment of our population. Besides providing feedback to the Government, you will need to work with the community to create and promote awareness of the needs of the people you represent. It is only with your active participation, and other groups like you, can we reinforce the social fabric of our society, as we set out to remake Singapore into a matured and gracious society.

Conclusion

11 As a society, we have come a long way from the past where one can hardly find any building in Singapore that was disabled-friendly, and practically no organized groups to look into the needs of the disabled. But today, when we step into any new building, we cannot help notice the symbols of access everywhere - in the car park, the lift lobby, on toilet doors, etc. For this, I must acknowledge the contributions of all of you in this ballroom. It is through your untiring efforts as well as that of other like-minded volunteer associations that the cause of the disabled has been advanced.

12 Finally, I would like to thank you for inviting my wife and me to grace this annual fund raising dinner. We are delighted to be here. Your organizing committee, members and volunteers have done a great job, putting in many hours of hard work to make this occasion possible. Many thanks also to the well-wishers who have given their support to DPA and contributed to the success of tonight's function. Thank you.

Date : 13 Dec 2002

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Last updated on 18 May 2006