Centre of Enabled Living is now SG Enable

SG Enable, formerly known as the Centre for Enabled Living, was renamed on 1 July 2013 to better reflect its focus on supporting the needs of persons with disabilities. Officially launched on 8 November, the agency is dedicated to enabling people with disabilities and serves as a hub for easy access to support services. Said Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Social and Family Development: “We want to provide a focal point where employers, voluntary welfare organisations and people with disabilities can come together and talk about the issues, challenges and the kind of training needed.”

SG Enable chief executive Ms Ku Geok Boon revealed that one of the main focus for the agency will be to improve employability for people with disabilities. Their new building at Redhill will house an information and referral centre, a career centre offering job placement and support services, and facilities for courses and on-the-job training. It is expected to be fully operational by early 2015.

More information can be found at www.sgenable.sg/.

Commuters with disabilities to get public transport relief

Mr Abhimanyau Pal, Executive Director of SPD, is delighted with the decision: “We are happy that the Government has accepted the recommendation of the Fare Review Mechanism Committee to extend concessionary fares to people with disabilities. This move will help to make public transport more affordable for them which will in turn encourage greater integration of people with disabilities into our society. Besides affordability, other aspects such as physical accessibility and ability to even board the buses and trains especially during peak hours are very real concerns. We hope the authorities will also look into these areas alongside the affordability of taxis and other dedicated transport services which are necessary for those who are unable to use buses and trains due to the severity of their disabilities or inaccessible routes. In addition, it is also important to generate greater awareness of where and how to apply for such assistance at the community level so that more help can reach those who need it.”

Details of the two concession schemes are still being worked out, including who can apply and how to apply, and the precise concessionary benefits.

Read the full story at www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/public-transport-fare/882286.html .