The Disabled Just Want To Live Life Well

We refer to the letter written by Mr. Peter Tan in The Star dated 15th June 2009 regarding “The Disabled Just Want To Live Life Well”.


The term for persons with disabilities (PWDs) is a term internationally recognized as stated in The Convention On The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities.


Regarding the issues of accessibilities raised, we would like to inform that in the National Policy for PWDs, National Plan of Action for PWDs and Persons With Disabilities Act 2008. A major provision is on accessibility. In the National Policy, the provision on accessibility states that :-

Ensure a barrier-free environment including facilities within and outside buildings, at the workplace, in residential and in public areas
Enhance the availability of disabled-friendly public transport facilities and
Promote the availability of an access to information and communications technology (ICT)


National Council For Persons With Disabilities set up under the Act has formed a Committee on Accessibility and Universal Design to propose appropriate action to address issues on accessibility. Among the programmes that have been carried out include access auditing on all public places and facilities to determine how accessible the physical environment is to the PWDs. The Department for Development of PWDs will also undertake advocacy to local authorities, architects, engineers, and planners to raise awareness on barrier-free facilities and compliance to by-laws already in place. It is hoped that through these efforts, the issues of accessibility can be addressed.


Thank you.


Public Relation Officer
Department of Social Welfare


Siaran Akhbar :

The Disabled Just Want To Live Life Well (The Star, 15 June 2009, page N36)




We refer to the letter written by Mr. Peter Tan in The Star dated 15th June 2009 regarding “The Disabled Just Want To Live Life Well”.



The term for persons with disabilities (PWDs) is a term internationally recognized as stated in The Convention On The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities.




Regarding the issues of accessibilities raised, we would like to inform that in the National Policy for PWDs, National Plan of Action for PWDs and Persons With Disabilities Act 2008. A major provision is on accessibility. In the National Policy, the provision on accessibility states that :-

Ensure a barrier-free environment including facilities within and outside buildings, at the workplace, in residential and in public areas;
Enhance the availability of disabled-friendly public transport facilities ; and
Promote the availability of an access to information and communications technology (ICT)




National Council For Persons With Disabilities set up under the Act has formed a Committee on Accessibility and Universal Design to propose appropriate action to address issues on accessibility. Among the programmes that have been carried out include access auditing on all public places and facilities to determine how accessible the physical environment is to the PWDs. The Department for Development of PWDs will also undertake advocacy to local authorities, architects, engineers, and planners to raise awareness on barrier-free facilities and compliance to by-laws already in place. It is hoped that through these efforts, the issues of accessibility can be addressed.




Thank you.




Public Relation Officer
Department of Social Welfare







Siaran Akhbar :

The Disabled Just Want To Live Life Well (The Star, 15 June 2009, page N36)