Speech by President Halimah Yacob at Down Syndrome Association 25th Anniversary Gala Event

Mr Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State for Transport

Mr Alex Yan Chun We, Chairman, Down Syndrome Association

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen

Good evening. I would like to start by congratulating Down Syndrome Association (DSA) for 25 years of service in Singapore. This anniversary affirms DSA’s strong leadership and vision as an association for persons with Down syndrome. Its longevity is a measure of success in delivering quality services to persons with Down syndrome in our community.

From its humble beginnings as a parent support group operating out of a parent’s home in 1996, DSA has progressed to become an established organisation in our social service ecosystem – providing programmes and services for persons with Down syndrome, their families, and caregivers. DSA exemplifies how ground-up initiatives can blossom from the simple human intent of looking out for one another.

With advancements in medical science, healthcare and education in recent years, persons with Down syndrome can lead longer lives. This is a positive development, and calls for more to be done to enhance their well-being across the entire life course. I am glad that DSA actively champions the engagement, enablement and caring of persons with Down syndrome at every stage of their lives, together with community partners and Government agencies.

In the early years of life, DSA supports infants and toddlers with early intervention programmes. DSA also runs an integration facilitation support programme for children with Down syndrome studying in mainstream kindergartens and schools – providing much needed support services for families, to help them understand the important role they play in encouraging their family members with special needs.

When adults with Down syndrome graduate from school, DSA enables their employment through the workplace integration training support programme. Employers can also focus on their strengths and abilities, and create more inclusive workplaces. This complements the President’s Challenge Enabling Employment Pledge, which I launched in 2020.

More broadly, DSA’s goal to build an inclusive society, where persons with Down syndrome can lead fulfilling and meaningful lives, aligns with the vision of the Enabling Masterplan. First launched in 2007, the Enabling Masterplan aims to foster a more caring and inclusive Singapore, where persons with disabilities can fulfil their aspirations, achieve their potential, and participate as integral and contributing members of society.

Currently in its third instalment, the Enabling Masterplan has raised the quality of life of persons with disabilities, provided more support for caregivers, and shaped Singapore to become more inclusive. This includes making early intervention programmes more affordable; strengthening the transition from school to work through employment and continual learning; and building a stronger ecosystem of support for the older years. The Masterplan also continues our efforts to increase barrier-free accessibility in our physical infrastructure, improve access to services and information, and encourage greater inclusion in areas such as sports and the arts.    

Our journey to build a caring and inclusive society is a continuous one. A Steering Committee was convened earlier in July to develop the fourth instalment of the Enabling Masterplan. It will seek to strengthen partnerships across business, community and government. It will endeavour to co-create solutions together with persons with disabilities, in a range of areas including continuing education and learning, employment, and accessibility. I look forward to the 4^th Enabling Masterplan.

In closing, I would like to commend DSA for its contribution to the Down syndrome community over the past 25 years. Keep up the good work for the many years to come. All of us can also play our part, by adopting an inclusive mindset when interacting with persons with Down syndrome. Let us continue to work together, to build a caring, inclusive and enabling society for all Singaporeans. Thank you.