Singapore takes a giant stride in driving disability inclusion through a landmark symposium

More than 20 international delegates and businesses from over 10 countries have transcended into Singapore for the inaugural Zero Project Asia Pacific Symposium 2024: Powering Inclusive Businesses, which explores the intersections of advancing disability inclusion and the latest innovations in accessible technology. The symposium, supported by the Zero Project, a global and research-driven initiative, was held on 28 and 29 November 2024 at the Raffles City Convention Centre.

Zero Project was established as an initiative intended and encouraged by Article 32 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which aims to find and share solutions that improve the daily lives and legal rights of all persons with disabilities through research-driven and inclusive solutions.

The symposium also features the Inclusive Business Forum, a biennial event organised by SG Enable. The forum focuses on disability-inclusive employment practices, such as innovations in employment pathways and good practices in businesses catering to persons with disabilities as customers or service users. 

This is also in line with the support of the CRPD, which Singapore ratified in 2013, and the Enabling Masterplan 2030 on building an inclusive workplace culture from Enabling Mark organisations (Singapore’s accredited disability-inclusive employers), their Asia counterparts, and employees with disabilities.

Empowering Persons with Disabilities through Accessibility Initiatives

A key part of the symposium would be the launch of a Tripartite Partnership for Barrier-Free Accessibility between SG Enable, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), and the Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore (REDAS). This partnership would advance barrier-free access (BFA) routes and scale inclusive infrastructure across Singapore, underscored by the nation’s commitment to accessible spaces and urban innovation for persons with disabilities.

“SLA is delighted to partner with SG Enable and REDAS to leverage geospatial expertise to advance barrier-free access (BFA) routes and support more inclusive mobility across Singapore,” said Mr Colin Low, Chief Executive of government statutory board SLA.

Low also expressed his excitement at the collaboration, which would augment the current BFA routes on OneMap with wider coverage of indoor routes and new locations, including private commercial properties contributed by REDAS members, which would make wayfinding in Singapore more inclusive and accessible for mobility-challenged communities.

In addition, REDAS will engage its members in identifying properties for indoor and outdoor mapping through regular user testing in response to the community’s needs in building a truly inclusive environment, which would ultimately help improve wayfinding for persons with disabilities.

“REDAS members are committed to creating spaces that enrich lives, contribute to society and build a better future for all,” said Mr Chia Ngiang Hong, Immediate Past President of REDAS. “We are honoured to work with SG Enable and SLA on this meaningful initiative to advance accessibility and inclusivity in Singapore.”

He also shared that, with the support of potential partners like CapitaLand Group, City Developments Limited, and Frasers Property, it aims to enhance barrier-free accessibility, improve wayfinding, and foster a more inclusive and user-friendly environment.

Inclusivity on the rise

Inclusivity has grown in interest over the past few years, with many more businesses open to adopting inclusive practices in various industries and sectors.

For instance, SG Enable collaborated with architecture firm WOHA in transforming Enabling Village, a community-centric development used as a testbed for inclusivity ideas, from the original 1970s-built Bukit Merah Vocational Institute into Singapore’s first inclusive community space.

In addition, both organisations are refreshing Enabling Village’s wayfinding master plan and a new extension block, with research uncovered through place-making surveys and design-thinking workshops.

Building on the momentum, Singapore aims to establish itself as a more inclusive society and to open doors for the Asia Pacific community to learn from one another’s successes and challenges.