At SPD, we are guided by our vision and mission to integrate people with disabilities in all aspects of community living, be it in education, employment, physical and built environment or social interactions. When given the opportunity, we share our knowledge and spread the message of inclusion through community outreach and public education.

About 40 students from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) visited us on 14 July to have a better understanding of the disability sector and how technology can be an enabler for people with disabilities. Advocacy and Outreach manager, Sharon Chuo, highlighted some pertinent issues that people with disabilities face before leading the students on a tour of the SPD Ability Centre. At the Specialised Assistive Technology Centre (Specialised ATC), they were introduced to the range of assistive technology (AT) devices for individuals with different disabilities. Through this visit, we hope to encourage students to apply inclusive concepts in their study of design and technology.

Manager for Clinical Services at the Specialised ATC, Sarah Yong, attended the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) Executive Board meeting in Toronto, Canada, from 6 to 9 July. She is also the vice-president for BUILD AAC, a committee that looks at the development of AAC in countries around the world, such as Thailand, Poland, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brazil. We are proud of Sarah’s contributions towards the development of AAC globally and trust that her knowledge will help empower many more lives.