President of the Disabled People’s Association Nicholas Aw, 50, looks to the younger generation to be the change for a more inclusive Singapore in the future. Nicholas, who has Tourette’s syndrome – a neurological disorder characterised by involuntary movements or vocalizations – describes his growing up years as “painful.”
Because of his own experiences of facing unkind remarks, humiliation and awkward moments with both family members and strangers, Nicholas is especially interested in the inclusion of children with disabilities (CWDs). Although they are no different from any other kids, they are often “laughed at or ignored.” In addition, without any education on disability awareness, these children may end up with “no friends and are usually left on their own.”
“I came to hear of a boy from an ‘elite’ school. He has autism but is high functioning. To the rest of the students, he is weird and no one wants to hang out with him. No one understands or wants to understand him.”
This is why he is a strong proponent for including disability awareness education in schools. “Awareness is key but it is also a two way street. If non-disabled people do not want to associate with you because you are different, then no amount of awareness will help.”
The late Whitney Houston sang, “I believe that children are our future,” which gives hope when changing the present seems difficult. When children are made aware of differences when they are young, they are able to pull double duty: change their parents’ mindsets as well as promote a new consciousness of inclusiveness in mainstream society.
“People with disabilities are people first, they are not their disabilities,” says Nicholas. Mainstream media representation is a good indicator of society’s perspective of PWDs. “I really dislike the media’s constant labeling of PWDs as being inspirational or inspiring,” he says, “although if it is an achievement that even non-disabled persons can’t achieve, such as winning an Olympic medal, that I can appreciate.”
Nicholas points to the story of Google’s in-house blind lawyer Jack Chen as a “lovely example of acceptance and effort from both parties.” Much of the extra effort (assistive software and technology, or human assistance) that PWDs have to take to prove that they are as suitable as anyone else for a certain job is not often highlighted in the media. In addition, he finds this article to be “worthy of mention because of the efforts of the law school, his friends, family and and the employer.”
At the 2016 National Day Parade at the National Stadium on 9 August, Nicholas was especially touched by the “representative and symbolic” segment featuring PWDs. 150 participants with a variety of disabilities (visual, hearing, physical, intellectual) led the 55,000 spectators in signing along during the collective singing of ‘Home’ and ‘Count on Me, Singapore’.
“It brought a lump to my throat to see the spectators in unison with the PWDs. But it was a parade, what matters most is what happens after this.”
“Can we count on Singapore to be kind, compassionate and to look past the differences and embrace all PWDs? Will we walk the talk?”
This article is a part of our #AbleFamilies campaign in Singapore. Stay tuned for real life stories, advice and experiences from people who believe in and represent the potential of all kids. By now empowering the thousands of kids with disabilities in Singapore and supporting their parents and caregivers, we strengthen the next generation of citizens to promote a more inclusive Singapore.
