updated on 9th Aug 2007
Ms Sarah Tan* has a Bachelor of Arts (Multimedia Design) and worked as an
information resource executive. But when she tried to switch jobs recently, she
came up against a brick wall. Because of her hearing impairment, many
employers were reluctant to hire her as she does not have good verbal
communication skills and has difficulty using the phone.
“They should not discount me right away and could have given me a chance
and consider how I could communicate with MSN, email and SMS instead,”
said Sarah. She has been unemployed since.
Unlike Sarah, Mr Alvan Yap, who has a Bachelor of Arts degree from NUS and
deaf since childhood, has fairly clear speech. After leaving his previous job as
a Special Education teacher, he encountered much difficulty finding another
job. “Almost all the interviewers I met were not willing to consider me, or look
beyond my hearing loss. They also lack awareness of issues such as
accommodating the deaf in the workplace.” But he was fortunate enough to
meet an understanding and open-minded employer and currently works as a
writer with Pagesetters, a publishing company.
Sarah and Alvan represent a group of deaf people who achieved much
academically despite their disability, but discovered that the employment
market is a more formidable obstacle. While some deaf people succeed in
"Deaf-initely Boleh!" means "The Deaf Can!"
people with disabilities in the workplace, and this is where we have fallen short.
The Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf), with the support of SAFRA National Service Association, The Army and
Singapore Sports Council, will be organising a Run as part of the Singapore Bay Run – SAFRA Sheares Bridge Run & Army
Half Marathon 2007 on Sunday, 26 August 2007.
The main objective of this Run, called the ‘Deaf-initely No Excuses Run’, is to create greater awareness of the employment
challenges faced by the deaf community in Singapore, and seek to broaden employment opportunities for them. We would
like to use this run as an opportunity to show that there are no excuses not to employ or engage the deaf, as long as they
have the ability to excel in the workplace.
A group of 200 persons, comprising deaf persons, their families and friends, as well as employers and supporters of the
deaf community, will let their feet do the talking, and running, to support this cause. They will be taking part in the 6 km
segment of the Singapore Bay Run.
We are also honoured to have Member of Parliament Ms Denise Phua present to show her support.
In addition, several deaf persons will be running greater distances - the 12km and 21 km competitive runs, to show that the
deaf ‘can’, if only they are given the chance to prove themselves. We also have, among us, deaf persons who have proven
themselves in the workplace, once simple but effective accommodations are rendered from supportive employers,
colleagues and clients. These include professionals in the legal, IT, education and civil service sectors.
We would like to invite you to support our cause by publicising our event, before or after the event, to help us create
awareness of this worthy cause.
For more information, please contact Ms Dawn Lee at 6344 8274 (ext 12) or email her at eopvc@sadeaf.org.sg.
The Deaf-initely No Excuses Run, you have no excuse not to join us in your own way!
* Not her real name
