3rd December marks the International Day of Disabled Persons, started in 1992 by the United Nations to promote understanding of disability issues.

 

In Singapore, no definitive data is kept on the number of people with disabilities. But as of July last year, about 9,000 disabled people were using government-funded services.

 

An average of 300 to 400 disabled workers join the workforce each year, according to the Enabling Employers alliance, set up in May to promote the employment of disabled. As of last month, the alliance had gained the support of 13 companies, which have offered jobs to 25 disabled workers. In conjunction with the Disability Awareness Public Education 2007, a job fair was held last month. It attracted 496 job applications from 277 people with disabilities.