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Mission to Singapore
1 November 2006

Assistive and Rehabilitative Technology Symposium (ARTS) Seminar

Singapore Therapeutic, Assistive & Rehabilitative Technologies (START) held the Assistive and Rehabilitative Technology Symposium (ARTS) on 1 November 2006 in Suntec City, Singapore. Approximately 80 persons working in the government and private sectors from Singapore and Thailand participated as well as Mr. Sawang Srisom, APCD Information Support Officer.

The seminar was to promote research, development, study and the rights to Assistive and Rehabilitative (AR) technology of disabled and elderly persons in order to enhance their quality of life. Experts, engineers and the industrial sector were urged to develop, promote and industrially produce AR devices in Singapore. The seminar started with a report of the overall situation of accessibility in Singapore. Singaporeans with disabilities now enjoy the wheelchair accessible bus, subway and sky train, which have become more and more accessible. The Land Transport Authority has had several plans to improve accessibility such as footpaths, bus stops, etc. Also, laws to protect their accessibility rights do exist, for example, starting from 2006, all new buses must be accessible.

Several new related issues were introduced such as the Universal Design for an Inclusive Home, Computer for Caring for Ageing People and Occupational Therapy. Interestingly, some of these issues are already being addressed in Singapore now. Panelists in a discussion on "Policy or Technology" agreed that we first need to articulate policy to address the needs of users, affordability, accessibility and other requirements that facilitate technology development. AR technology must suit the impairment, work and goal of an individual.

Mr. Zen Koh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of START Center, said that the commercialization of AR devices needs a collective collaboration from several sectors such as research institutes, universities, private companies, etc., in order to promote AR technology to commercialization.