There have been 140 companies that have applied for funds under the Open Door Programme (ODP), said Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin in Parliament on Monday (Feb 29).
The average claim per company is S$3,000, said Mr Tan, in response to a question by NCMP Leon Perera.
The ODP encourages the employment of persons with disabilities, through a range of initiatives including apprenticeships, training, job and workplace re-design. It is supported by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), and administered by SG Enable, said the ministry.
Mr Tan added that besides the ODP, there are other initiatives to promote the employment of people with disabilities, such as SG Enable working with voluntary welfare organisation (VWOs) partners to provide job placement and support services.
“Collectively, they have placed about 650 persons with disabilities in employment over the past two years, some with the support of the ODP,” he said.
The Minister recently said the Government will take the lead in identifying the roles, jobs, and responsibilities in which Singaporeans with different abilities can contribute, and bring them on board. This is so that Singapore is a “truly inclusive society” where persons with disabilities can participate fully, he added.
news source & image credits: channelnewsasia.com / francine lim
