Like many gamers, Zachary Tay loves immersing himself in digital worlds. Yet his condition makes it difficult to keep up with the rapid precision that gaming demands. Born with dyskinetic cerebral palsy, Zachary experiences involuntary muscle movements that make fast-paced game play especially challenging. The disconnect between his passion and his physical ability often felt stark.
“Growing up was exhausting,” Zachary shared. “I used to wonder if I would even make it to my twenties.”
But as he grew older, his perspective shifted from uncertainty to possibility.
“Because I made it further than I thought I would, I know I can keep going. I have learned that the worst-case scenario isn’t inevitable.”
Creating impact, in his own way
Gaming gradually became more than a pastime for Zachary. It opened his eyes to accessibility gaps. When a friend with vision loss was unable to participate due to her disability, he decided to help.
“There are games that I couldn’t play because of my condition, so I truly empathised with her,” shared Zachary. “We talked about the problems we faced when gaming, and I felt it was possible to fix them with the skills I had.”
Although he had experience in software development, this was Zachary’s first foray into accessibility design.
“This was different from projects that I‘d worked on. I had to create a software that didn’t use visual displays and data.”
It took him about two weeks, and completing the project filled him with pride and sparked a new direction.
Today a third-year student in AI-driven Accessibility in Business at the Singapore Management University, Zachary blends personal insight with innovation to champion inclusive technology.
Endless opportunities ahead
Looking ahead, Zachary believes accessibility is not a luxury but a global necessity, especially as Singapore transitions into a super-aged society.
His journey has been strengthened by the Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Foundation Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities, which has played a critical role in supporting his specialised studies and opening doors to research and innovation.
One of his current projects is a simulator for powered wheelchair users.
“I developed this simulator so that users can learn how to handle challenging scenarios in a safe manner, without risking their personal safety or equipment,” Zachary said.
He is also developing an AI-powered personal assistant for persons with disabilities, built on Large Language Models (LLMs) that can interpret typos and slurred speech, which is critical for users with speech and motor challenges.
For Zachary, these improvements are more than conveniences for individuals with disabilities. They level the playing field and create opportunities.
Words of strength and honesty
Zachary is candid about the emotional resilience required to live with a disability.
“You don’t owe the people who think that you are an inspiration, or those who want you to always be productive, especially when life already feels stacked against you. It’s okay to cry, and okay to hurt,” Zachary shared.
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The APB Foundation Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities is a bond-free scholarship that supports students with physical, sensory or developmental disabilities across six local institutions, regardless of field of study. Since its launch in 2004, the APB Foundation has committed over $2.6 million to the programme and has since awarded 67 scholarships. Find out more at https://www.spd.org.sg/scholarships/.