Even though the 2015 ASEAN Para Games have ended, there are consistent efforts to promote awareness on the abilities of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Singapore.
Three final-year Communication Studies undergraduates from Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information initiated a campaign to further drive the message about the abilities of PwDs.
Titled ‘More Than Dis’, this is a campaign that seeks to improve perceptions of PwDs and their capabilities at work, with the aim of strengthening inclusion in the workplace in Singapore.
While there has been heightened awareness on the needs of PwDs in recent years, lack of awareness about the capabilities of people with disabilities are still prevalent. As employment plays a central role in people’s lives and is one of the essential factors for social inclusion, it is essential to educate professionals and public about disabilities, for society to better accept and include PwDs in the workplace. More Than Dis campaign seeks to inspire employers, employees, PwDs, and people without disabilities on the capabilities of PwDs in their respective careers.
“The team has chosen a very important subject. It would be impactful to profile those who have received less exposure to share their stories,” said Ms Chia Yong Yong, a former nominated Member of Parliament, on the team’s initiative.
Photo Exhibition
One of the highlights of their campaign is the photo exhibition that will feature seven PwDs from various occupations. One of their featured profiles is Dr Wong Meng Ee, 46, a visually-impaired lecturer at the National Institute of Education (NIE). “Assistive technology has minimised my disability, and maximised my capabilities,” said Dr Wong in his interview with the team.
The team has organised a preview of their photo exhibition at ‘We Are Able! 2016’, an event organised by National Council of Social Service (NCSS), in collaboration with Tote Board, on 27 February 2016. Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister for Social and Family Development, was the event’s Guest-of-Honour.
The team will put up this photo exhibition at More Than Dis Flagship Event on 5 March 2016 at Lifelong Learning Institute Event Hall. Subsequently, the exhibition is open to public viewing at The LLiBrary (Lifelong Learning Institute Library) from 7 to 11 March 2016, and at Lee Wee Nam Library, NTU from 15 March to 8 April 2016.
A photo microsite (morethandis.exposure.co), a digital version of the photo exhibition, has also been created to extend outreach to more audience.
