ANNUAL REPORT 2016/2017 Empowering Lives, Enabling Communities towards an Inclusive Society Artists’ Profiles Tributes Dr Francis C. Chen 1939-2016 r Francis C. Chen, APSN‘s Emeritus President 2 Dand Pioneer Founding Member passed away on 6 October 2016. Since the establishment of the 1 Association, Dr Chen spearheaded fundraising activities and planned the curriculums and frameworks for the association from scratch. His 40 years of dedication helped build APSN from its humble beginnings to where it stands today. Dr Chen is fondly remembered for his passion, resilience and his belief in creating a haven where people with mild intellectual disabilities is valued and equipped with skills and knowledge to become an independent individual. 4 3 Mr M.K. Wong 1929-2016 r M.K. Wong, one of APSN’s Founding MMembers, passed away on 27 November 2016. Mr Wong was honoured for his long service and dedication to APSN at the APSN 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner. He was awarded the Pingat Bakti Masyarakat in 1987 for his 5 contribution to Special Education in Singapore. In 2003, Mr Wong was conferred an Honorary 6 Life Membership of the Asian Federation on Intellectual Disabilities (AFID), one of the only 7 honorary members and the only one from 1 Artwork Title: Starry Night 4 Artwork Title: Beautiful Kampung Singapore. The following year, he was awarded Colouring done by Art Club Name of Student: Nabilah Tsabitah Bte Mohd Zakir the Public Service Star. Mrs Liza Ow, a long School: APSN Katong School Age: 13 years old serving staff of APSN and current Principal of School: APSN Katong School 2 Artwork Title: Flowers APSN Tanglin School, remembers Mr Wong Name of Student: Tong Hwee Jee Karen 5 Artwork Title: House by the River as a caring person who used his professional Age: 20 years old Name of Student: Cheong Wai Yee expertise as a psychologist to help diagnose School: APSN Centre for Adults Age: 11 years old School: APSN Chaoyang School children with mild intellectual disability. 3 Artwork Title: Wire Sculpture Name of Students: M.Pooja / 6 Artwork Title: Grandma’s Mansion Jalisher Rahman / Nur Marissa Name of Student: Amirah Binte Amran Age: 18 years old Age: 15 years old School: APSN Delta Senior School School: APSN Tanglin School Empowering Lives, Enabling Communities 1 Contents About APSN .......................................................................................................................................3 President’s Message ......................................................................................................................4 OUR VISION Empowered Lives for an Engaged My APSN Journey ..........................................................................................................................8 Community and Inclusive Society Nurturing Our Young One For Tomorrow Understanding Mild Intellectual Disability (MID) ..........................................................12 OUR MISSION Enabling Persons with Special Needs to be Hopes for a Child .........................................................................................................................14 Active Contributors of Society Supporting Caregivers ..............................................................................................................18 Inspiring and Building Capabilities of Championing in Sports & Flourishing in the Arts .........................................................22 Partners and the Community Preparing Our Child For Employment Leading and Advocating towards an Vocational Training ....................................................................................................................30 Inclusive Society Sheltered Enterprises .................................................................................................................34 Job Placement ..............................................................................................................................38 Our Alumni and Volunteers ................................................................................................... 42 OUR VALUES Integrity Allied Professional Services ....................................................................................................46 Doing what is right and upholding Our Partners And Donors corporate values with accountability Corporate Outreach and Partnerships ............................................................................. 54 Resilience Donations ....................................................................................................................................... 58 Ability to withstand setbacks with Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................. 60 determination to persevere and adapt positively to challenges Corporate Profile Board Members ............................................................................................................................66 Commitment Committee Members ................................................................................................................68 Focus and dedication to undertake Corporate Governance .............................................................................................................69 responsibilities in our work towards APSN’s vision and mission Financial Information Financial Statements ..................................................................................................................72 Respect Consideration and regard for the rights of different stakeholders in the best interest of the organisation 2 APSN Annual Report 2016 Empowering Lives, Enabling Communities 3 President’s Message persons with mild intellectual disability through MOE Innovation Award for its programme our four special education schools and adult which enhances transition curriculum to prepare President’s Message vocational training centre. This APSN Journey students in the transition programme to be work serves to maximise each individual’s potential ready. The curriculum comprises a newly created 40 Years of Journey to lead a full and independent life. This year, we module of Work Skills Training Curriculum, witnessed the graduation of 94 APSN Delta Senior Customised Work Related Behaviours Videos School students, of which an overwhelming 97% and Integrated Learning Journeys for students successful employed graduates in large multi- and their parents / caregivers. By leveraging on national companies across various industries. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as an enabler and infusing technology Winning at the International Games – across curricula in lessons, APSN Tanglin Para Games and Special Olympics School’s Mr Mark Kuo was also accorded the Beyond academic and vocational training, APSN Leading Foundation Teacher by the National firmly believes that arts and sports are essential Institute of Education (Early Childhood and curriculum to celebrate the abilities of our Special Needs Education Academic Group). students. In 2017, more than 120 APSN students He was the only recipient from a Special represented Singapore in various international Needs School to be awarded for his significant competitions, such as the Special Olympics contributions to the care and teaching of children World Winter Games, Fazza International IPC in the fields of early childhood and special needs Athletics Grand Pix Competition and ASEAN Para education. These educators are truly an asset to Games. One success story is Suhairi Bin Suhani. APSN and the wider community. When Suhairi first joined APSN Chaoyang School at the age of nine, he participated in the Dance Strategic Partners and Volunteers 016 was a very memorable year for the to lead and advocate toward an inclusive society. co-curricular activity. Through his physical APSN has also grown in strength through our 2Association for Persons with Special Needs Concurrently, the board had envisioned the next education lessons, he later discovered a passion strong partnerships with like-minded partners, (“APSN”), as we celebrated our “Sparkling 40”. lap of 3-5 year plan with four strategic thrusts: for sports in the form of competitive long- donors and volunteers. In the last 40 years, over What commenced as a journey by Dr Dixie Tan Thought Leadership and Advocacy; Research jumping and running. He has since participated 350 partners and 480 volunteers joined hands when she pointed out that she has a dream and Curriculum Enhancement; Enhancing Alumni in many overseas international competitions with us to make a difference to the specials for our students, APSN has since journeyed Engagement; and Enhancing and Developing such as the 2011 Special Olympics and won his needs community. Our annual signature event, for 40 wonderful years of contribution to the new job capabilities. first medal in 2015’s ASEAN Para Games. He the APSN Carnival also saw a turnout of more Mild Intellectual Disability community. At the will also represent Singapore in the 2017 ASEAN than 2,000 attendees and greatly contributed 40th anniversary the distinguished presence of ENABLING PEOPLE WITH Para Games. Suhairi’s journey was challenging to the final fund-raised cash proceeds of a Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community SPECIAL NEEDS TO BE ACTIVE as he juggled studies, on-the-job training, and his whopping $1.8 million in the financial year 2016. and Youth graced the occasion which gave CONTRIBUTORS OF SOCIETY own competitive training. He embodied