In line with the three strategic themes, EMP2030 sets out the overall goals and recommendations for each of the 14 focal areas.
The early years are critical for a child’s cognitive, social, and functional development. We must ensure that children with developmental needs have access to early intervention (EI), so they have a strong foundation to pursue their aspirations and achieve their fullest potential in adulthood.
By 2030, we aspire for all children identified with developmental needs to have greater access to EI support, and more opportunities to grow, learn and play alongside their typically-developing peers.
Recommendation 1: Expand EI services to better support children with developmental needs
Recommendation 2: Increase opportunities for children with developmental needs to grow, learn and play alongside their typically developing peer
All children must be able to access an education that develops their potential and equips them with the knowledge and skills to participate meaningfully in society. This includes students of schooling age with Special Educational Needs (SEN).
By 2030, we aspire for all children with disabilities to have access to an education that develops their potential and equips them with the knowledge and skills to participate meaningfully in society.
Recommendation 3: Ensure access to quality education for students with SENM
Recommendation 4: Enhance the quality of support to meet the unique learning demands of students with SEN
Recommendation 5: Build inclusiveness within our schools and the community
Lifelong learning is essential in ensuring that we can adapt and stay relevant amidst changes in the economy and society. We must do more to provide access to lifelong learning for all persons with disabilities, so that they can be equipped with the skills needed to maximize their potential in life.
By 2030, we aspire for persons with disabilities to have greater access to opportunities and resources for lifelong learning.
Recommendation 6: Provide responsive and quality lifelong learning opportunities to persons with disabilities
Amidst the accelerating pace of economic and technological changes, there is a risk that persons with disabilities will be left behind without the right support. We must continue to remove barriers and create opportunities for persons with disabilities to attain fulfilling and meaningful employment, through which they can engage with others in the community and achieve their potential.
By 2030, we aspire for persons with disabilities who can work to be equally recognized for their abilities, knowledge, and skills, and are able to achieve gainful employment.
Recommendation 7: Continue to grow the number of inclusive employers and expand the range of alternative and supported employment models, to enable more persons with disabilities to enter the workforce and sustain employment
Recommendation 8: Review existing employment models for persons with disabilities so that they remain relevant for the future
As persons with disabilities and their caregivers age, and the caregiving load falls on increasingly smaller households, we must transform our housing models, support services, and local communities to enable persons with disabilities to live independently, participate fully in community life, and age actively.
By 2030, we aspire for persons with disabilities with care needs to have access to a continuum of services, which will enable them to participate in community life fully and actively.
Recommendation 9: Develop new community living models and review existing community- and residential-based adult disability services to meet future demands and needs for independent living
Recommendation 10: Provide a range of support services that enable persons with disabilities to live well in the community
Assistive Technology (AT) can enable persons with disabilities to live and work more independently. We must continue to encourage AT adoption so that persons with disabilities are equipped to live independently as they age.
By 2030, we aspire for persons with disabilities to have access to AT that enables them to live more independently and connect to the community.
Recommendation 11: Raise awareness of AT and sector capabilities in AT, so that more persons with disabilities benefit
Given the critical roles that caregivers play, it is important that we recognize their contributions and provide them with sufficient support, particularly as caregivers and their loved ones age.
By 2030, we aspire to give caregivers of persons with disabilities greater access to caregiving support, including respite services and future care planning.
Recommendation 12: Enhance respite options and support for caregivers, to help them care for loved ones with disabilities in the community
Recommendation 13: Support caregivers in planning for the future and prioritizing the needs and choices of their family member with disabilities
Information and communications channels and materials must be designed with the needs of all persons with disabilities in mind, to enable them to participate fully in every aspect of society. This is particularly important for digital services, as the pace of digitalization continues to pick up.
By 2030, persons with disabilities will have greater access to information and communications, with reasonable accommodations provided.
Recommendation 14: Design digital services with the needs of persons with disabilities in mind
Recommendation 15: Enhance access by persons with disabilities to information and communications across non-digital platforms
Achieving an inclusive transport system for all persons with disabilities requires accessible infrastructure, such as public buses and trains, and the ability to tap on dedicated transport services for those who require them. Beyond physical infrastructure, an inclusive transport system also requires a gracious and caring commuting culture.
By 2030, we aspire for persons with disabilities to have more accessible and affordable public transport, including public buses, trains, and point-to-point transport as needed. We hope that commuters and public transport workers show more care to persons with disabilities and are willing and do know how to help them.
Recommendation 16: Enhance transport infrastructure to enable persons with disabilities to navigate independently during their journey
Recommendation 17: Improve affordability of transport for persons with disabilities
Recommendation 18: Better address public awareness and mindset barriers to foster a gracious and caring commuting culture
Buildings and public spaces play an important role in enabling persons with disabilities to carry out their daily activities and integrate fully into society. Singapore is committed to providing the necessary infrastructure to support a more inclusive society, by ensuring that public spaces meet basic accessibility standards where possible.
By 2030, we aspire to improve access to public spaces so persons with disabilities can enjoy more inclusive living conditions.
Recommendation 19: Accelerate accessibility upgrading and raise accessibility standards
As persons with disabilities age, and as age-acquired disabilities increase, it is even more crucial to ensure access to quality healthcare. This involves both promoting healthy lifestyles and ensuring mainstream health services are accessible for persons with disabilities, with sufficient specialist services to serve those with more complex needs.
By 2030, we aspire towards building a quality healthcare system that detects and manages health and developmental issues early, so as to enable persons with disabilities to live healthier lives.
Recommendation 20: Ensure that health services are accessible for persons with disabilities
Participation in sports and physical activities supports physical and mental well-being, as well as develops confidence, independence, and social skills by emphasizing the strengths and abilities of persons with disabilities and encouraging interaction between persons with disabilities and community members around them. By facilitating inclusive participation, more persons with disabilities can make sports and physical activities a part of their everyday lives.
By 2030, persons with disabilities will have greater access to participate in sports.
Recommendation 21: Increase opportunities for sports participation
Developing an inclusive arts and heritage landscape in Singapore involves minimizing and removing barriers that reduce the ability of or prevent persons with disabilities from enjoying the arts and heritage as attendees or participants. It also involves enabling persons with disabilities to pursue their interests in the creative arts.
By 2030, we aspire to give persons with disabilities more regular opportunities to participate in arts and heritage activities – whether as consumers, practitioners, or volunteers.
Recommendation 22: Enhance accessibility to enable persons with disabilities to attend more arts and heritage activities
Recommendation 23: Increase opportunities for persons with disabilities in the arts and heritage sector.
Building inclusive communities starts with disability awareness – having a better understanding of disabilities as well as the physical and attitudinal barriers that persons with disabilities face, and challenging preconceived notions about disabilities.
By 2030, we aspire for Singapore to embody what it means to be a caring and inclusive community, with positive attitudes, mindsets, and behaviors towards persons with disabilities.
Recommendation 24: Improve mutual understanding, by educating the general public on disability awareness and how to interact with persons with disabilities, and equipping persons with disabilities with the skills to self-advocate and co-create change in general perceptions and attitudes towards persons with disabilities.