Events

The Best Practices in AT Research Forum provides opportunities for exchanging views on key issues related to Assistive Technology (AT). Topics that will be discussed include Rehabilitation Engineering (RE) and AT, Practice/Policy, Technology Transfer, Mobility, Assistive Robotics/Mechatronics, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Environmental Control and Computer Access.

Participation Fee :

S$300 (payments by 16 September 2005)
S$400 (payments after 16 September 2005)
S$30 for VWO staff (Singaporeans and PRs with VCF*)
S$90 for VWO staff (Non- Singaporeans with VCF*)
S$50 for Students (lunch not included)

SPD is launching the new StarHub-SPD Learning & Development Centre (LDC). The LDC will offer quality enrichment programmes, workshops and activities to encourage the integration of physically disabled students and to improve their education experience. Programmes offered will complement mainstream school curriculum. Non-disabled students are also welcome to participate in the programmes.

The LDC will also run programmes for physical education teachers in mainstream schools. Participants will be able to pick up tips on how to integrate students with physical disabilities into their sessions.

The LDC will be complemented by the Specialised ATC, which is equipped to provide assistive technology consultation to children, to help them overcome their physical limitations through the use of technology.

Young children and older adults are generally more prone to falling. Find out who’s at risk, the factors that make them more susceptible to serious falls, and how to prevent such falls from SPD therapists Debbie Chow and Wong Wai Min, guests on 938LIVE’s health programme Body & Soul. The talk show has a call in component, so if you have any questions on the subject, do call the studio phone number at 6691 1938 when the lines open that afternoon.

Organised by the Specialised Assistive Technology Centre, the AAC workshop targets those who work with people with severe language impairments such as teachers, therapists, training officers and interested caregivers. It aims to provide the tools to enable participants to empower the disabled person and those who are at the early stage of communication to communicate and maximize their language potential, through the use of picture representation and symbols.

Through an interactive session, participants will be also introduced to Minspeak, a powerful language representation technique that has empowered communication for many around the world.

About the trainer:

Bruce R. Baker is President of Semantic Compaction Systems, and Adjunct Associate Professor at University of Pittsburgh, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. He has designed, individually and in a team, a wide range of individual systems to empower people with severe language impairments to speak.

A recipient of many distinguished awards from the field of Assistive Technology and Augmentative and Alternative Communication, he is regularly invited to speak at international societies as keynote speaker in Europe, Canada and USA.

Course Fee:

S$50
– 70% VCF for Singaporeans & PRs
– 50% VCF for non-Singaporeans
(VCF is also applicable to members of SPA, SHAS & SAOT)

SPD and Caltex will launch a community project, consisting of more than 100 Caltex employees delivering groceries to lower income families with physical disabilities. The door-to-door delivery will supplement the needs of 116 families with basic foodstuffs. It is hoped that relationships will be built between the employee volunteers and families through this project.

Into its second year, the SPD-Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation Scholarship seeks to recognize students with physical disabilities who do well in school, to encourage them to aspire to higher levels of educational attainment. Each year, two students will be selected and awarded with the Scholarship. Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Foundation has pledged to commit up to $220,000 over four years to this programme.

Let’s Talk – Making Augmentative and Alternative Communication Accessible to all

Conducted by SPD’s Head of Social Service Dept Ms Lim Lutin, this workshop offers tips on befriending. A reception will follow.

The ‘Essence of Rowing’ Workshop is open to all SPD volunteers.

The Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, will be opening the Specialised Assistive Technology Centre (ATC) and presenting prizes to the winners of the first AT Invention Competition.

The Specialised ATC is appointed by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) as the AT centre for people with physical disabilities in Singapore. It provides assessment and training for users, caregivers and rehabilitation professionals.

Finalists of the first AT Invention Competition have been working on their prototypes since the launch in September 2004 and these will be exhibited at the ceremony. The top three winners of the competition from both student and open categories will be announced and prizes will be presented.

Following the opening and prize presentation ceremony, the Specialised ATC will be running the ‘Technology – Gain IT and Use IT’ Public Forum and Workshops.

Mondays to Fridays

If you are a taxi driver, e-Filing can be easy, convenient and simple. All you need to do is drop by at The Society of the Physically Disabled. Our team of people with physical disabilities has been specially trained to help you e-File your income tax returns – for FREE! This is our way of saying thank you to all taxi drivers for providing a means of transport for the disabled. However, we welcome any donation you may wish to make.

*Please bring along your:
– Tax Reference No. or NRIC No.
– IRAS PIN No. or SingPass
– all documents to support your income, expenses and claims
– BC/NRIC Nos of grandparents, parents, spouse and/or children