On 27 June 2017, DPA was at the official launch of ‘Give Back 2017 – Inclusivity and Me’ campaign at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. This advocacy campaign aimed to support and empower persons with disabilities to participate actively in the community. It supported the 4th key thrust of Singapore’s third Enabling Masterplan ‘Caring Nation, Inclusive Society’. Dr Lim Gaik Bee, co-chairman of the committee that spearheaded the campaign, noted the importance of an inclusive campus environment, saying: “Every person counts… We have to look beyond their disabilities to their abilities.”
DPA set up disability specific inclusion booths that offered interactive and experiential sessions. Our Inclusion Ambassadors with disabilities were present to handle the booths and engage with the students. DPA conducted two disability awareness trainings at Ngee Ann Polytechnic for the volunteers of ‘Give Back 2017 – Inclusivity & Me’ campaign. Three disability and Inclusion workshops were conducted for the staff and students of Ngee Ann Polytechnic to raise awareness and promote inclusion of people with disabilities. During the interaction session, our Inclusion Ambassadors Margaret and Timothy shared their experience and explained how they are contributing to the society. Margaret spoke about the importance of raising awareness and Timothy talked about the importance of inclusive campus for students with disabilities.
The participants enjoyed these interactive and engaging training sessions and expressed their interest to advocate for inclusion of people with disabilities. The campaign, part of the polytechnic’s annual Give Back programme, helped to better integrate its students with special educational needs (SEN) and to advocate for a more inclusive campus.
