Key takeaways:

• “I believe the best form of support for people with disabilities is to engender self-efficacy. The Government, together with organisations and VWOs such as APB Foundation and SPD, catalyse self-efficacy and mastery by removing barriers and providing support that will enable persons with disabilities to live productive and meaningful lives,” Ms Indranee in her speech.

Four youths were awarded the Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Foundation Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities last month. Justin Kueh, Caleb Tay and Brenda Khoo received the scholarship from Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and Education at the APB Foundation’s office at the Metropolis Tower One. Lionel Lee’s mother received the award on his behalf as he could not be present.

The students stood out not only for their academic excellence but passion and zest for life as well.

Brenda, who is currently in her second year pursuing law at Singapore Management University (SMU), hopes to be able to set up a pro-bono legal clinic in the future to help raise awareness on the legal rights of people with disabilities. The 20-year-old was diagnosed with cerebral palsy from birth and has conquered many obstacles to be where she is today. Caleb, who is visually-impaired, wishes to help educate the next generation of youths in the hopes of changing the perspective society has towards people with disabilities.

“Having had the opportunity to meet inspiring teachers and understanding first-hand the impact that they can have on students, I think it is very important to guide the next generation of youths and build their understanding on issues regarding disabilities,” said the 21-year-old business management undergraduate at SMU.

Lionel Lee, 22, who has Asperger’s Syndrome and studying mathematical sciences at Nanyang Technological University, and Justin Kueh, who has profound hearing loss and a social science, politics, law and economics bachelor degree student at SMU, were the other two recipients this year. The 20-year-old received the SPD Youth Aspiration Award (YAA) in January this year and the grant helped him in his double-bass music training.

Ms Indranee was happy to see this partnership between SPD and APB Foundation grow and benefiting more people with disabilities. Indeed, the foundation has committed close to $1.5 million to support more than 40 youths with disabilities in their education.

“I believe the best form of support for people with disabilities is to engender self-efficacy. The Government, together with organisations and VWOs such as APB Foundation and SPD, catalyse self-efficacy and mastery by removing barriers and providing support that will enable persons with disabilities to live productive and meaningful lives,” Ms Indranee in her speech.