Supporting the special needs community

Mr Chan Chee Keong,
President of the Association for Persons with Special Needs,

APSN Committee Members,

Distinguished Guests,

1. Good evening. It is my honour to have been invited to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the APSN, and pay tribute to the important role it has played in transforming lives and bringing about change in the special needs community.
   

40 Years of APSN

2. The APSN is a model story of how impactful ground-up initiatives can be when dedicated Singaporeans come together to do social good.

3. The APSN was seeded in the early 1970s. In those days, the education offerings for children with intellectual disabilities were incomplete. So some parents of children with mild intellectual disabilities started classes catering to these children while adhering as closely to the curriculum of mainstream schools as possible. With an enrolment of 20 students at the start, the demand grew strongly. So in 1976, to raise money to run more classes, this group of parents set up the association that has become the APSN.

4. The first president of this new association was Dr. Dixie Tan, who was one of Singapore's most outstanding women. As a cardiologist, a therapist, and later as one of our few female MPs, she was a trailblazer. She worked tirelessly to set up the association. In 1977, the association raised $11,000 at its first flag day, which allowed it to pay for teachers for 90 students in 3 schools that year. 40 years later, with support from the Government, APSN now has 1,200 students in 5 schools

An inclusive society

5. In APSN schools, children receive an education that prepares them to participate fully in our society. Through the efforts of the APSN, we see those with such disabilities just need to be given companionship, understanding, and guidance in order to lead dignified, fulfilling, and independent lives. This is no different from the kind of support and instruction that every person needs to grow and flourish.

6. APSN schools provide such support in many ways. One key way is that of sports. For the individual, sports provide physical, emotional, and social benefits. Sports also open opportunities for learning, growth, and friendships. So APSN schools have championed sports to help their students grow.

7. Last year, many students from APSN schools were active at the ASEAN Para Games – whether at the torch relay, performing at the opening ceremony, or participating in the games.

8. An example is 16-year-old Evelyn Lim from APSN Tanglin School. Evelyn loves sports and enjoys playing football and racket games. She would stay in school after class to practise and train with her peers. At last year's ASEAN Para Games, she represented Singapore in table tennis and brought home a silver medal, making her our youngest medallist at the games!  In total, 11 APSN athletes were part of Team Singapore, and they clinched 12 medals for the country. They made us all proud.

9. But all of us, not just these elite athletes, can benefit from participating in sports. So MCCY works to reduce barriers to sports participation. MCCY launched the Disability Sports Masterplan earlier this year to help more persons with special needs participate in sports. Under the Masterplan, SportsSG will partner more special education schools to offer new programmes such as the “Yes I Can” swim programme that I launched at ActiveSG Sengkang Sports Centre in May.

10. These programmes will also be made available to the wider public. Having public community sports programmes at our disability sports centres of expertise will make it easier for our students to keep active in sports after they leave school. So I encourage parents to help their children make use of these resources and facilities so that they will continue to develop through sports, and cultivate the values that will set them in good stead for life's challenges.

11. Another key achievement of APSN has been their success in placing students in jobs where they are valued. The Delta Senior School conducts post-secondary vocational training to equip students with employable skills in a range of occupations. Through these jobs, APSN students can be independent and be a part of society.

Recognising the dignity and worth of those with special needs

12. To achieve such success, APSN has counted on the support of employers to make available job opportunities for those with special needs. Many of you here today have done so. I encourage you to find even more opportunities for other graduates of APSN schools, and to also be advocates on their behalf. Speak up about how these graduates are now valuable members of your teams and the contributions that they have made, and encourage others to find similar chances for them.

13. But it is not just the APSN and their partners that have roles to play in making those with special needs a part of our society. It is the role of everyone in Singapore and we must all do more. We must do away with prejudices and recognise the dignity of those with special needs. We need to be empathetic and kind. We should put ourselves in the shoes of those with special needs, meet them on that understanding, and act to make them a part of our society.

14. So I would like to thank all the donors and volunteers who have stepped up to improve the lives of persons with mild intellectual disabilities in our community.

15. I thank you for your generosity, and I hope that you will continue to support APSN and persons with special needs beyond tonight's gala dinner.

Conclusion

16. It was admirable civic-mindedness on the part of the founders that set up the APSN four decades ago. It has been inspirational resolve and dedication that have kept it going. So tonight, I applaud the pioneers of the APSN and those who continue to dedicate their lives to building a Singapore for all people. With your work, you make us a better and stronger society. And I hope that more will follow your lead.

17. Thank you.

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