Inclusion of persons with disabilities has been at the forefront of many initiatives rolled out in Singapore but traction and progress has been slow.
Why is it so hard to achieve inclusion even when we keep talking and acting upon it? What are the questions we do not ask and insights we do not have? What exactly does inclusion mean and how does it look like? Does the answers differ across respondents? How do we deal with the inherent paradox of inclusion; inclusion for some may indirectly exclude others?
Unpack these questions and gain insights to the disability sector, to understand what does it take for us to build inclusive communities as a tangible reality instead of a far-fetched dream.
Debra is the co-founder of Society Staples, a social enterprise that pushes the envelope on all things inclusion related for persons with disabilities. Society Staples is the first social enterprise to be awarded the Spirit of Enterprise-NEO Startup award in 2018, and clinched the President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Start-up of the Year in 2015.
MEET THE SPEAKER
Debra Lam Co-founder of Society Staples
Debra is the co-founder of Society Staples, a social enterprise that pushes the envelope on all things inclusion related for persons with disabilities.
Growing up in Singapore, she was keenly aware of the differences in opportunities she had compared to her two brothers with Autism. Her experiences have shaped her to become a strong advocate for Persons with Disabilities and is at the forefront of advancing social inclusion.
Prior to Society Staples, she was the co-founder and coach of Deaf Dragons (a dragon boat team for the Deaf and Intellectually Challenged) which won various international and local competitions and secured a 3-year sponsorship with StarHub Sparks Fund.
Her work has gained recognition on both local and regional fronts. Society Staples is the first social enterprise to be awarded the Spirit of Enterprise-NEO Startup award in 2018, clinched the President’s Challenge Social Enterprise Start-up of the Year in 2015, the most prestigious award to recognise outstanding social enterprises that have created great social impact in Singapore. She also received the ASEAN-China Young Startup Entrepreneur’s award in 2015.
Debra is one of the youngest nominees on the 2018 Generation T-lister, Asia Tatler’s platform for extraordinary individuals with the potential to become the leaders of tomorrow. She is also a fellow of the Philip Yeo Innovation Fellows Programme, a network by the National University of Singapore that present recipients with a unique and transformative educational opportunity for personal and professional enrichment. She is also the youngest Singapore representative for the 2018 Young Societal Leaders Programme, an exclusive by-invitation-only programme designed for ASEAN leaders aged 40 and under to have a voice on a global stage to convey their perspective, passion and purpose.
She has a degree in Psychology and Sociology from the Singapore University of Social Sciences.
This event is presented by The HEAD Foundation, a Singapore-based think tank devoted to research and policy influence in education and leadership, for development in Asia.
Admission is free.
Disclaimer: The views expressed by the speaker in this talk are their own and do not represent the opinions of The HEAD Foundation.
