Look at supported-employment models for disabled people

Bizlink’s business development division estimates that at least half of the approximately 77,200 adults and aged with disabilities would be unemployed. This is disturbing. (“Bizlink to top up income of low-wage staff with disabilities”; Feb 8)

I hope the relevant authorities and voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) are looking into this issue. Perhaps Singapore could look at some of the supported-employment models adopted in many European countries and the United States.

Supported employment is a strategic approach to creating appropriate jobs for people with disabilities and those from socially disadvantaged groups. It is a form of paid employment for these people, for whom competitive employment at or above the basic wage is unlikely and who need continuous support to manage their disabilities in order to perform their work.

Most, if not all, supported-employment models share five key phases. The first concerns engagement with people with disabilities by providing them accessible information on the job market and job appropriateness, so they can make informed decisions.

The second involves vocational profiling in terms of their strengths, needs and work capacities. An appropriate authority, preferably an agency overseeing employment and employability of people with disabilities, such as SG Enable, should administer the profiling to help them select a job compatible with their interests, aspirations, needs, situation and experience.

The third phase is job placement, which involves matching the expectations of prospective employers and people with disabilities seeking employment. A third-party facilitator, such as SG Enable or a VWO, could best help achieve this.

The fourth phase concerns engagement with prospective employers. Here again, a third party should help to secure employment and training for people with disabilities with interested employers. This phase depends heavily on the degree of an employer’s involvement and the format in which work contracts are developed with the employer.

The last phase is the on-and-off job support for people with disabilities, depending on the disability type and its severity. This phase includes assistance before, during and after securing employment, for them and their employers.

Supported employment has been used successfully for decades elsewhere. It could be adopted as an achievable goal for Singaporeans with disabilities.