saviour7

SINCE the criteria that qualifies employers for government funds to accommodate people with disabilities (PWDs) was relaxed in May, more companies have been able to hire the disabled to work for them.
These government funds, part of the Open Door Fund, can dish out financial subsidies of up to $100,000 a project to companies that redesign their jobs or to make renovations to cater to persons with disabilities.

The fund, previously known as the Enable Fund, was initially set up last July as part of a wider plan to ensure that everyone- able bodied or otherwise - will have a place under the sun. This national push was called the 'Enabling Masterplan'.

So far, 6 employers from medium-sized enterprises to large multinational corporations have made use of the Open Door Fund, and 12 more employers are in discussions to join.

While this may seem a small number, Chairman of Enabling Employers, Mr David Wong, said on Thursday that there are many other employers who have not tapped into the fund, even though they employ the disabled.

Case in point: Holiday Inn Park View has 15 PWDs on its staff payroll, and has not utilised any money from the Open Door Fund. Thirteen of its staff are intellectually disabled, while two of them are physically handicapped.

General Manager Shantha De Silva said the hotel has been employing PWDs since 1986, and has even developed a programme to provide basic vocational training to PWDs. The programme aims to help the disabled settle in into a normal work environment with ease.

Mr De Silva is also one of 11 members that are part of an employers' network set up in March. Calling itself 'Enabling Employers', the network aims to help champion jobs for the disabled, and offer advisory services and assistance to raise awareness in the employability of the disabled.

'Enabling Employers' will be carrying out a wide range of activities and immediate plans include sharing sessions with specific sectors, site visits to companies that have been actively employing PWDs as well as a briefing for the public sector.

Across Singapore, there are over 58 people with disabilities currently employed by SMEs and multinational corporations (MNCs). The Enabling Masterplan committee expects this number to double by the end of the year.

Companies interested to know more about the Open Door Fund can contact the Singapore National Employers Federation (Snef) at (65)6827-6827.
ST june 7 2007