The work has begun

Last Saturday, I was nominated by the Singapore Association for the Deaf to attend a youth forum entitled "Creating the Future".

I thank God for this wonderful opportunity which allowed me to see the bursting enthusiasm of the youth in the matters of the nation. I am also excited that work has begun, at least for me, to help raise the quality of life for the hearing impaired in Singapore. As I shared in my last post, serving the hearing impaired was a burden I have had for a while. I do not know where this will lead to, but even if it means helping just another hearing impaired person out there, it is worth it.

The following is a summary of what I spoke at the forum:

"Singapore is a nation that depends very much on human capital. It is all
the more important that we do not overlook any sector of our population. On
my way to work recently, I saw a poster with a slogan that says "I can work.
Let me be part of your community." It was an advertisement from MINDS, but I
immediately called the Singapore Association for the Deaf, of whom I am a
client and on whose courtesy I am invited to this forum, to ask them if they
can help me understand the needs of the hearing impaired so that we can
explore how to help them integrate better at all levels, from school to
work and beyond.

I would like to call for attention on those who have some form of
impairment, disability or handicap. I believe out of these, we will also be
able to find people who can contribute at various levels in the private and
public sectors, including leadership roles."

I believe hearing impaired persons, as well as persons sufferring from other forms of impairment, can contribute in more ways than what most of them do presently, if the right measures are taken to help them circumvent, if not flatten, the hurdles that they face as a result of their impairment. Some of these hurdles are, I must say, a result of catering to the able-bodied. It's like when things are designed specifically for the right-handed, the left-handed may be unknowingly subjected to some form of disadvantage.

The physically impaired do not have choose amongst burger-flipping, tissue-paper hawking, or a handful of production/back-office jobs. They can and should be given a wider range of options that will commensurate with their potential and talents. Motivation comes from the ability to contribute and produce results, and creating opportunities for the physically impaired to contribute is certainly a good thing to happen, moving forward from here. I personally believe that when a person is motivated, he/she will be capable of doing a lot more for society. Isn't this a win-win situation for Singapore, or any other country, for that matter?

May God bless you.

Category: Sounding Board, cf_