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FAQ - ASK! CEL

Frequently Asked Questions (A Collaboration with Public Libraries Singapore)

ASK! CEL - Experts from the Public Libraries Singapore are available with answers that you may be looking for.

From issues concerning the elderly and persons with disabilities, consider us the first source for your FAQs of life. (Click here to ask a question)

Please click on the question below to go to the answer.

Can I sell tissue paper in public?
I am disabled and require physical assistance in my daily activities such as dressing a wound etc. Where can I go for help?
I am employing a person with physical disability in my company and I need to make some modifications like ramps and renovating the toilet to facilitate the new employee's movements in the office. Is there any assistance scheme that I can tap on for this?
I would like to be involved in busking, How can I go about doing this?
Where can I get information about rehabilitation and therapy services, clubs and support groups for the disabled?
Can you give me a list of organizations that provide recreational and sports activities for the disabled?
I need to rent a wheelchair / get my wheelchair repaired. Where can I obtain assistance?
Where can I get the latest list of disabled-friendly buildings in Singapore? Where can I obtain further information about programmes and schemes supporting Barrier-Free Accessibility (BFA) in Singapore?
Where can I get information about bus routes in Singapore that are wheelchair friendly?
Is Achondroplasia considered a disability? Are there any local support groups for Achondroplasia?

1. Can I sell tissue paper in public?

No, it is not allowed in the public areas as it is a form of illegal hawking. The National Environment Agency (NEA) does not provide any permit or license to sell tissue paper.

People who solicit for money in return for packets of tissue paper can be fined for illegal hawking, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA).

It can also be considered as disguised begging, which is illegal. Under the Environmental Public Health Act, those found peddling tissue paper can be fined up to $5,000 for illegal hawking.

Repeat offenders can be fined up to $10,000, jailed for up to three months, or both. They can also be charged with begging under the Destitute Persons Act. Those convicted face a fine of up to $3,000 or up to two years in jail.

In recent times, there has been a call for the authorities to be more lenient with the elderly selling tissue paper, according to newspaper reports.

In response to news media, NEA has said that they understand some people in financial difficulties want to hawk for a living.

But they advise people to apply for street hawking licences. That would allow them to sell ice cream, canned drinks and tidbits within their town council estates or parks, the New Paper reported in Auguts 2009.

NEA can be contacted at 1800-225 5632 if you have any queries or feedback on illegal hawking.

Reference: Quek , C. (2004, December 6). Tissue peddlers on the rise here. Straits Times (Singapore). Retrieved August 18, 2009 from Factiva.com database.

Reference : Nazeer, Zubaidah (2006, Feb, 05). Tissues for tears & ears for their fears. New Paper, Retrieved 24 Aug 2009 from Factiva.com database.

2. I am disabled and require physical assistance in my daily activities such as dressing a wound etc. Where can I go for help?

The Handicaps Welfare Association (HWA) has been providing personal care services to people with disabilities since February 2006. During the last two years, it has done so to more than 150 persons. The service is available islandwide to people with all ages suffering from sickness and disabilities. The programme is partly funded by National Council of Social Service VCF Fund.

Personal care service provides the following much needed assistance to clients and caregivers:
- Helping in personal routines such as bathing, dressing, toileting, feeding, transferring, etc;
- Providing required nursing care such as catheterization, wound dressing, etc;
- Providing home therapy.

For more info: http://www.hwa.org.sg/services/rehabitat.html

In October 2005, The New Paper reported on this new HWA scheme in an article entitled “She didn't go out for 22 years”. Ms Sherena Loh, chairman of HWA's rehabilitation sub-committee, was quoted as saying: “This service will allow such clients to get help without having to hire a full-time maid or nurse.”

The service was to cost between $10 and $30 per day, depending on the amount of help needed. In some cases, the service essentially enables family members to return to work to ease a family's financial burden.

“The handicapped person may also be able to lead an independent life instead of becoming too reliant on a full-time caregiver,” said Ms Loh.

To find out more about the service, please call HWA at 6254 3006 or send an e-mail to hwa@hwa.org.sg

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3. I am employing a person with physical disability in my company and I need to make some modifications like ramps and renovating the toilet to facilitate the new employee's movements in the office. Is there any assistance scheme that I can tap on for this?

Source: MP: Just find right task for them, The New Paper, 16 February 2007, 176 words, (English)

The government has introduced schemes like the Enable Fund and provides a tax deduction of up to $100,000 for companies which modify buildings and work sites to make them accessible for workers with disabilities.

Measures such as the Enable Fund are encouraging because it helps companies like ours offset the training costs for disabled staff.

THE 14 companies that have tapped into the Enable Fund so far are Carona Fast Food, S-Team Switchgear, Pizza Hut, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Healing Spa, Main-Tech Contractors, Giordano Originals, Business Management & Resources, Studio You, NTUC Fairprice, Secret Recipe, Holistic, The Oriental Singapore, and HSBC Corporation.

Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports Yu-Foo Yee Shoon said in Parliament on Monday that seven more companies are in talks with the Singapore National Employers Federation, which administers the Enable Fund.

Source: Only 22 and saddled with family bills, The New Paper, 10 March 2007, 1009 words, Genevieve Jiang, (English)

From May, the Enable Fund, introduced in July last year, will be renamed the Open Door Fund and the criteria to qualify will be revised, to help more companies redesign their workplaces or jobs for the disabled.

For more info on the Open Door Fund, please visit:
http://www.mcys.gov.sg/MCDSFiles/Download/OpenDoorFund.html

For more information on the Open Door Fund, please email your queries to opendoor@snef.org.sg or call 6827 6938. A representative from Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) will contact you to better understand the needs of your company

4. I would like to be involved in busking. How can I go about doing this?

All interested applicants are required to go through an audition held at the National Arts Council (NAC), in order to apply for a Letter of Endorsement.

Read more about the Busking Scheme, or contact NAC at 6746-4622.

It's a TURF WAR out there
The New Paper, 12 February 2007, 1626 words, Joan Chew, (English)

No licences revoked so far

WITH more buskers comes more competition.

A spokesman for the statutory board that oversees the buskers, National Arts Council (NAC), said there were 141 buskers last year, up from 84 in 2001.

The peak was in 2003 when a report in The Straits Times in December 2003 noted that there were 163 active buskers that year.

The buskers' ages range from 9 to 75 years old.

The NAC spokesman said that they have yet to revoke any busker's licence for flouting its rules or the law in recent years.

The NAC said it acts as a mediator when conflicts arise between buskers or when complaints are made by members of the public.

So far, the most common complaints are over illegal busking or noise pollution. The spokesman said: 'In general, NAC issues advisories to buskers who deviate from the designated busking locations or for cases of unbearable noise pollution.

'Issues pertaining to law enforcement are handled by the police and respective authorities.'

The NAC spokesman said buskers are advised to keep reasonable distance from each other for safety reasons so as to avoid overcrowding or obstruction to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

This is also to allow the public to enjoy various busking performances.

The NAC said most buskers do their busking in the Orchard Road area while others operate in locations such as Chinatown, Tampines and Bedok.

One reason for the increase in buskers could be the relaxing of rules in busking permits.

Over the years, the authorities have made it easier for people to take up busking, which was legalised in 1997.

Since 2001, a busker must first obtain a letter of endorsement (LOE) from the NAC. Previously, they required police permits to perform.

But buskers have to pass a prior audition to ensure the standard, originality and suitability of the performance.

The LOE will specify the proposed locations that the busker can operate in. This may be changed upon renewal of the LOE, which has to be done annually.

Since 2003, buskers also no longer have to donate their earnings to charity, which was required to 'dispel the misconception that busking is disguised begging'.

5. Where can I get information about rehabilitation and therapy services, clubs and support groups for the disabled?

CEL offers information and referral services through a case management model that allows for classification, needs assessment and referral to rehabilitation and therapy services offered by various service providers as well as support groups for persons with disabilities (including the frail elderly).

Besides the voluntary welfare organisations, for information on private companies offering therapy services, a good resource will be the Internet Yellow Pages. To search for therapy related services, visit [www.yellowpages.com.sg] and key in search terms such as “physiotherapy” or “rehabilitation”.

(Site last accessed 13 Aug 09)

You may also be interested referring to the following books available in the library:

Title ACSM's exercise management for persons with chronic diseases and disabilities / American College of Sports Medicine.
Other Title Exercise management for persons with chronic diseases and disabilities
Publisher Champaign, Ill. : Human Kinetics, c2003.
Call No.: English 615.82 ACS

Title Evaluating, selecting, and using appropriate assistive technology / [edited by] Jan C. Galvin, Marcia J. Scherer.
Publisher Austin : Pro-Ed, 2004.
Call No.: English 617.03 EVA

Title Helping children with nonverbal learning disabilities to flourish : a guide for parents and professionals / Marilyn Martin ; foreword by Michele Berg.
Author Martin, Marilyn, 1952-
Publisher London : Jessica Kingsley, 2007
Call No: English 618.9285889 MAR -[HEA]

To check the availability of the titles, please visit the online catalogue at: http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg

6. Can you give me a list of organizations providing recreational and sports activities for the disabled?

Websites
1) “These activities promote health and well-being through physical training/activities that provide opportunities for social interaction and positive learning experiences...”
www.cel.sg/ServicesDisabilityPages38.aspx ; last accessed on 13/08/09

2) “The Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) brings the Learn To Play (LTP) programme to encourage disabled individuals to enjoy sports as recreation and pursue a healthy lifestyle...”
www.sdsc.org.sg/contact/ ; last accessed on 13/08/09

3) “The Sports Sub-Committee has been actively promoting and developing various sporting activities for the members for many years. These activities include wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball, swimming, archery and wheelchair fencing…”
www.hwa.org.sg/hwa.html ; last accessed on 13/08/09.

4) “Sports Programme”
www.spd.org.sg/volunteers/recreation.html ; last accessed on 13/08/09.

Related Website
5) “This compilation highlights disabled people who have pushed their personal limits, the Paralympics and websites illustrating the inclusiveness of sports for all” http://infopedia.nl.sg/Research/opendoc.aspx?doc=pls/sports%20and%20disabilities%202008.pdf ; last accessed on 13/08/09

In addition to this,

6) You may also like to read newsletter publication related to handicap issues by The Handicap Welfare Association at the following website:

“The Handicap Welfare Association was founded to encourage and foster the ideals of self-help and mutual assistance among the disable and to promote their welfare...”

www.hwa.org.sg/hwa.html ; last accessed on 13/08/09

There are also other activities available for the disables. You may also refer to the following Straits Times articles via our eDatabase Factiva accessible at all public libraries: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/index.aspx ; last accessed on 13/08/09.

eDatabase (Factiva)
Keyword search: Handicap* and Activit* and Singapore

7) Singapore
It's hip to help out and it can be fun, too, 13 June 2009, Straits Times
STIMES (c) 2009 Singapore Press Holdings Limited

“L'Oreal Singapore has chosen to teach grooming skills to the visually handicapped in a project called Touching Colours. Through it, at least 3,030 visually impaired children and adults from Lighthouse School and the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped are expected to be taught proper skin care, make-up techniques and hairstyling skills. This project is set to start in August. It will be an ongoing activity conducted by Special Education teachers from Lighthouse School who have been trained by L'Oreal trainers…For more information, call Mr Jacob Toh on 9026-1710…”

You may wish to refer to the following books for further readings on disabilities and sports/recreation.

Books
8) Title: Learning disabilities : A to Z : A parent's complete guide to learning disablilities from preschool to adulthood
Author: Corinne Smith
Call number: English 371.926 SMI

9) Title: It's so much work to be your friend : helping the child with learning disabilities find social success
Author: Richard Lavoie
Call number: English 371.9 LAV

You may also browse at our recreation shelves under 791.196 [REC] available at all public libraries on related topics to disabilities and recreations.

You may check the availability the books at website: http://vistaweb.nlb.gov.sg

7. I need to rent a wheelchair / get my wheelchair repaired. Where can I get assistance?

There are also some wheelchair-repair related articles for your reading interest.

1) Foreign volunteers eligible for award. Dated 5 November 1999

"THE social services of foreigner volunteers in Singapore will now be recognised by the Life Insurance Association (LIA)....

The LIA award is given to individual volunteers or groups that have made quality contribution to society. The winners are pre-selected through nominations and judged by a panel.

Over the last 10 years, the awards have been bestowed on well-profiled volunteers like 100-year-old Miss Teresa Hsu, who founded the Elderly Home for the Aged Sick and the Society of the Physically Disabled Wheelchair Repair Service."

2) When winning medals is a family affair. By Tan Hsueh Yun and Chua Mui Hoong. Dated 9 November 1997

On the National Day Awards given...

"... One of those recognised for his work with the disabled was Mr Mark Chan Weng Onn, president of the Society for Aid to the Paralysed.

The audience broke out in loud applause as he wheeled himself on stage in his wheelchair to receive his Public Service Medal.

He said: "More important is the work behind the medal, and the countless people who worked as a team."

He had helped set up an S$8-million centre for the society that runs a sheltered production workshop, a day activity centre and a social service centre, and also offers wheelchair repair."

3) Wheel winner. By Ginnie Teo. Dated 1 April 1999

"TUCKED away off the main road in Tiong Bahru is a workshop that has become well-known among disabled people who use wheelchairs. Here, on the fourth floor of the Society for the Physically Disabled headquarters, about 10 volunteers run a wheelchair repair workshop on Saturday afternoons.

It is run like a car workshop, but the service is free. Yesterday, the volunteers who run the two-year-old outfit received top honours in the group category of the Life Insurance Association's annual volunteers award...."

For more information, you may login to the National Library's <eResources> Factiva(R) database under www.pl.sg

In addition, there are some wheelchair-related books and stories that may be on interest to you.

Title: Some kids use wheelchairs / by Lola M. Schaefer.
Author: Schaefer, Lola M., 1950-
Publisher Mankato, Minn. : Capstone Press, c2008.
Contents: Why kids use wheelchairs -- Being active -- Everyday life -- Glossary -- Read more -- Internet sites -- Index. Summary Simple text and illustrations discuss the challenges of being in a wheelchair, why some children cannot walk, and how those who use a wheelchair function at school and at play.
Call no.: JP English 362.4 SCH

Title: Best friend on wheels / Debra Shirley ; illustrated by Judy Stead.
Author: Shirley, Debra.
Publisher Morton Grove, Ill. : Albert Whitman & Co., 2008.
Summary: A young girl relates all the ways she and her best friend, Sarah, are alike, in spite of the fact that Sarah uses a wheelchair.
Call no.: JP English SHI

Title: Let's talk about being in a wheelchair / Melanie Ann Apel.
Author: Apel, Melanie Ann.
Publisher New York, N.Y.: Rosen Pub. Group's PowerKids Press, 2002
Contents: Maisy -- What is a wheelchair? -- Who uses a wheelchair? -- Famous people in wheelchairs -- Everyday people in wheelchairs -- Wheelchair access -- Wheelchair sports -- New to a wheelchair -- Getting in and out -- Your wheelchair is your friend.
Call no.: J English 617 APE

Title: Extraordinary friends / Fred Rogers ; photographs by Jim Judkis.
Author: Rogers, Fred.
Publisher New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, c2000.
Summary: Focuses on people who are different, who might use equipment such as wheelchairs or special computers, who are more like you than you might think, and suggests ways to interact with them.
Call no.: JP English 362.4 ROG

To check the availability of the titles, please visit the online catalogue at: http://catalogue.nlb.gov.sg

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8. Where can I get the latest list of disabled-friendly buildings in Singapore? Where can I obtain further information about programmes and schemes supporting Barrier-free Accessibility (BCA) in Singapore?

Building and Construction Authority (BCA) provides information on barrier free accessibility on its website.

Information on disabled-friendly buildings in Singapore can be obtained from 'Our Friendly Built Environment Portal'

You can search by Friendlyness level, Friendly features, Building types and by keyword among others.

1) Our Friendly Built Environment Portal
http://www.friendlybuildings.sg/web2/FindBuilding/Intro.aspx
last accessed on 17/08/09

2) To find information on Wheelchair Accessible Bus (WAB) Services, please visit SBS website at

http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/doyouknow/facts_wab.aspx
last accessed on 17/08/09

3) Information on Singapore's attractions that are accessible is found at-Singapore at a Glance
http://app.www.sg/faq.aspx?cat=21
last accessed on 17/08/09

4) Barrier Free Accessibility in Buildings
http://www.bca.gov.sg/BarrierFree/barrierfree_related_articles.html
last accessed on 17/08/09

Other related information on BFA such as Universal Design Awards 2009, BFA Accessibility Fund, BFA Code 2002, Universal Design Guidelines (Commercial Buildings) can be obtained from BFA's website

5) Barrier-free Accessibility in the Built Environment
http://www.bca.gov.sg/
http://www.bca.gov.sg/BarrierFree/others/af_terms_conditions.pdf_blankhttp://www.bca.gov.sg/BarrierFree/others/af_faqs.pdf

One Stop centre for information and resource support to disable people can be obtained from-

6) Disabled People's Association
http://www.dpa.org.sg/ResourceNavigation/servicesAssistance.asp

9. Where can I get information about bus routes in Singapore that are wheelchair friendly?

The two bus companies that operate in Singapore, SMRT and SBS Transit do have wheelchair-accessible buses (WAB) that run on certain routes.

SBS Transit:

Service 2
All the bus stops along Service 2 are accessible except these 4 bus stops
B05 Sims Avenue East - Kembangan Station
B11 New Upper Changi Road - The Tanamera Condominium
B13 New Upper Changi Road - Tanah Merah Station
B01 Upper Changi Road North - The Japanese School

Service 7
All the bus stops of Service 7 are accessible except for 2 bus stops
B01 Napier Road- British Council
B05 Sims Avenue East - Kembangan Station

Service 12
All the bus stops along Service 12 are accessible except these 2 bus stops.
B06 Upper Changi Road East - Expo Halls 1/2/3
B13 New Upper Changi Road - Tanah Merah Station

Service 14
All the bus stops along Service 14 are accessible except these 7 bus stops.
B11 New Upper Changi Road - The Tanamera Condominium
B02 AYE - Normanton Park
B01 Buona Vista Flyover - PSB Science Park Building
B02 Buona Vista Flyover - Opposite PSB Science Park Building
B16 River Valley Road - Opposite Valley Point Condominium
B01 Hoot Kiam Road - After Zion Full Gospel Church
B01 Paterson Road - Paterson Lodge

Service 21
All the bus stops along Service 21 are accessible except these 7 bus stops.
B08 Balestier Road - Opposite Balestier Point
B17 Balestier Road - After Irrawaddy Road
B06 Geylang Road - Opposite Mohd Salleh Mosque
B12 Geylang Road - After Lorong 34 Geylang
B14 Geylang Road - Opposite Lorong 39 Geylang
B03 Kitchener Road - Before Tai Hoe Hotel
B07 Serangoon Road - Sri Vadapathirak Temple

Service 51
All the bus stops along Service 51 are accessible except these 3 bus stops.
B18 Pasir Panjang Road - Haw Par Villa
B14 Pasir Panjang Road - Opposite Redwood West
B02 Havelock Road - Central Square

Service 64
All the bus stops along Service 64 are accessible except these 5 bus stops
B07 Serangoon Road - Sri Vadapathirak Temple
B01 Sims Place - Blk 49 Mkt/FC
B01 Sims Drive - Blk 59
B02 Sims Drive - Opposite Blk 59
B04 Sims Drive - Blk 45

Service 72
All the bus stops along Service 72 are accessible except these 5 bus stops.
B25 Tampines Road - LP 223R12
B29 Tampines Road - Opposite LP 223R29
B30 Tampines Road - LP 223R27
B28 Tampines Road - Opposite LP 223R21
B26 Tampines Road - Opposite LP 223R10
*LP means lamp post

Service 76
All the bus stops along Service 76 are accessible except these 6 bus stops.
B06 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 9 - Opposite Ang Mo Kio Community Hospital
B06 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 - Between Blks 152/155
B01 Boundary Road - Blk 209
B01 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 - Blk 258
B05 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 - Opposite Blk 155
B09 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 - Opposite Blk 622

Service 80
All the bus stops of Service 80 are accessible except for 1 bus stop
B11 Upper Paya Lebar Road - How Sun Park

Service 123
All the bus stops along Service 123 are accessible except these 3 bus stops
B01 Tiong Bahru Road - Blk 55
B08 Lower Delta Road - CHIJ St Theresa’s
B01 Napier Road - British Council

Service 130
All the bus stops along Service 130 are accessible except these 6 bus stops
B04 Sin Ming Drive - SEMAC
B08 Balestier Road - Opposite Balestier Point
B06 Balestier Road - Opposite Balestier Towers
B03 Kitchener Road - Before Tai Hoe Hotel
B07 Serangoon Road - Sri Vadapathirak Temple
B15 Thomson Road - S'pore Polo Club

Service 143
All the bus stops along Service 143 are accessible except these 4 bus stops
B02 Scotts Road - Newton Station
B02 Havelock Road - Central Square
B04 Kg Bahru Road - Opposite Melati Blk 2
B01 Scotts Road - Newton Station

Service 147
All the bus stops along Service 147 are accessible to PIWs except 1 bus stop.
B07 Serangoon Road - Sri Vadapathirak Temple

Service 174
All the bus stops along Service 174 are accessible except these 20 bus stops.
B12 Jurong Road - After Hong Kah Flyover
B10 Jurong Road - After Hong Kah Circle
B08 Jurong Road - Before Track 22
B06 Jurong Road - After Track 22
B04 Jurong Road - After Track 18
B02 Jurong Road - Before Bukit Batok Road
B04 Bukit Batok East Ave 6 - Church of St Mary
B06 Jalan Jurong Kechil - Opposite Rainbow Gardens
B34 Dunearn Road - After Rifle Range Road
B02 Chin Swee Road - Opposite Blk 13
B02 Havelock Road - Central Square
B01 Napier Road - British Council
B09 Farrer Road - Farrer Road Market
B37 Bukit Timah Road - After Maple Ave
B01 Jurong Road - After Bukit Batok Road
B03 Jurong Road - Opposite Track 18
B05 Jurong Road - Before Track 22
B07 Jurong Road - After Track 22
B09 Jurong Road - Before Hong Kah Circle
B11 Jurong Road - Before Hong Kah Flyover

Service 183
All the bus stops along Service 183 are accessible to PIWs.

Service 185
All the bus stops along Service 185 are accessible except these 1 bus stop.
B09 Pioneer Road North - Opposite Blk 643

Service 196
All the bus stops along Service 196 are accessible except these 3 bus stops.
B02 Collyer Quay - Clifford Pier
B15 AYE - Blk 431
B11 AYE - After Clementi Swimming Complex

Service 198
All the bus stops along Service 198 are accessible except these 5 bus stops.
B15 AYE - Blk 431
B13 AYE - Blk 426
B11 AYE - After Clementi Swimming Complex
B16 AYE - Blk 506
B20 AYE - Faber Hills Condominium

Service 199
All the bus stops along Service 199 are accessible except these 2 bus stops
B04 Nanyang Avenue - PUB Sub-Station
B05 Nanyang Avenue - Opposite PUB Sub-Station

Service 232
All the bus stops along Service 232 are accessible except 1 bus stop
B10 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh - Blk 52

Service 268
All the bus stops along Service 268 are accessible except these 6 bus stops
B06 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 9 - Opposite Ang Mo Kio Community Hospital
B06 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 - Between Blks 152/155
B05 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 - Opposite Blk 155
B09 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 - Opposite Blk 622
B01 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 - Blk 258
B02 Ang Mo Kio Street 63 - Opposite SBST East District

Information above taken from: www.sbstransit.com.sg/doyouknow/facts_wab.aspx

Please check out this website www.sbstransit.com.sg/transport/trpt_bus_timetable.aspx for the exact routes of these bus services.

SMRT:

Bus services 171, 811, 851, 172, 307, 189, 945 would have WABs.

Please access this website: www.smrtbuses.com.sg/ebusguide/busguide.asp and click on the route details of these bus services. Those marked with an * means that the particular bus stop is not accessible by wheelchairs.

Please note that all websites were last accessed on 15 August 2009.

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10. Is Achondroplasia considered a disability? Are there any local support groups for Achondroplasia?

The UK "Disability Discrimination Act" has included Achondroplasia as one of the disabilities.

Source of information: Disability Discrimination Act
Guidance on matters to be taken into account in determining questions relating to the definition of disability
URL: 83.137.212.42/sitearchive/DRC/pdf/DefnOfDisability.pdf
URL: www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/definition-of-disability-consultation.pdf

Eleanor Simmonds who won the women's 100m freestyle at 2008 Beijing Paralympics was born with achondroplasia.

Source of information: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/paralympicsport/2964791/Eleanor-Simmonds-claims-two-gold-swimming-medals-at-the-2008-Paralympics-in-Beijing---Paralympics.html

Based on the 2 sources above, Achondroplasia can be considered at a form of disability. However, we have not been able to locate similar information in the Singapore context.

Other websites on definition of disability:
Disabled World
URL: www.disabled-world.com/disability/types

We have not been able to locate any in Singapore that deals specifically with Achondroplasia but Club Rainbow has listed this as one of the illnesses that affect the children that they reach out to. They provide emotional support whenever needed. The children are usually referred to them by the children’s doctor so you might want to approach your child’s doctor.
URL: www.clubrainbow.org.

One in Malaysia:
Malaysian Rare Disorders Society
http://mrds.org.my/

There are overseas organisations that deal with Achondroplasia. Some of their websites are good sources of information. I have listed some below for you.

Little People of America
URL: www.lpaonline.org/

Short Statured People of Australia Inc
URL: www.sspa.org.au/

Achondroplasia: Help and Information from the UK
http://www.achondroplasia.co.uk/

Diastrophic help
http://pixelscapes.com/ddhelp/

More information on Achondroplasia
To read more on Achondroplasia, please access the National Library’s electronic database, Health Reference Center, at http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Type in the search term, Achondroplasia.

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