8 July 2021
Mobile Application Launched to Encourage and support Persons with Disabilities to Discover and Participate in Para Sports
- Persons with disabilities will be matched to sport programmes and events based on their interests and disabilities
The launch was graced by Guest of Honour Mr Eric Chua, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Social and Family Development and he was accompanied by distinguished guests Ms Ku Geok Boon, CEO, SG Enable and Mrs Boon-Ngee Sebastian, Senior Director (Grant Management), Tote Board and Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, SDSC President.
The Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) has launched a mobile application called SDSC LIFE, the first mobile application in Singapore to encourage and support persons with disabilities in Singapore to learn about and participate in para sports. By entering a simple profile of their disability and sport interests, persons with disabilities will be matched to information on suitable and attractive sport programmes, events and stories.
SDSC LIFE, which stands for Lifelong Independence, Friendships and Empowerment, is a members-management platform and a lifestyle mobile application. Upon successful registration, all registered users can register for the latest inclusive sports and wellness programmes and events organised by SDSC and its partners.
To create a sense of community and for persons with disabilities to congregate and interact with like-minded individuals, registered users will be able to gain access to the SDSC LIFE Telegram Channel to interact with other members of the community.
For SDSC’s existing athletes, they will gain access to additional modules within SDSC LIFE, such as a training tab, which shows athletes upcoming training sessions and competitions, and an analysis of past results and performances. Through SDSC LIFE, the attendance-taking process is digitalised with the use of Global Positioning System and the scanning of QR Codes.
The mobile application is also inclusive for members of the public who are keen to contribute to disability sports. They can register for disability sports events and programmes as volunteers.
The official launch, held virtually on Zoom, was graced by Guest of Honour Mr Eric Chua, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Social and Family Development. He was accompanied by distinguished guests Ms Ku Geok Boon, CEO, SG Enable and Mrs Boon-Ngee Sebastian, Senior Director (Grant Management), Tote Board.
“Sports keep us fit and healthy, exposes us to new experiences and friendships, and increases our sense of well-being. I am confident that the SDSC LIFE mobile application will enable more persons with disabilities, their caregivers and members of the public to lead healthy and active lifestyles, stay connected, and forge new relationships. Let us all, as partners working together to better support persons with disabilities and their caregivers, make sports an integral part in our lives,” said Mr Chua.
SDSC LIFE is one of 43 projects that is supported by the Tote Board Enabling Lives Initiative Grant, now known as the Enabling Lives Initiative (ELI) Grant. Funding for SDSC LIFE started in 2018. The Grant, funded by Tote Board and administered by SG Enable, brings together the best ideas from the community of non-profit organisations, social enterprises and innovators to create scalable, impactful innovations for persons with disabilities. The ELI Grant has since impacted more than 8,000 persons with disabilities and their caregivers.
“The Enabling Lives Initiative Grant recognises the importance of innovation and collaboration that can help achieve collective social impact for the disability community. We are happy to support SDSC LIFE in their initiative, and look forward to seeing more persons with disabilities get involved in sports programmes and activities,” said Ms Ku, SG Enable CEO.
“Increasingly, we need to collaborate across sectors to solve complex social problems. Tote Board seeks to support more of such partnerships to create sustainable solutions that better the lives of Singaporeans. Through SDSC LIFE, we see sports, health, technology and the disability sectors come together for the benefit of not just persons with disabilities but also the rest of the community,” shared Mrs Sebastian, Senior Director (Grant Management), Tote Board.
The development of SDSC LIFE started at the end of 2018. Since then, SDSC has worked with a cohort of more than 180 beta-testers – persons with disabilities with little or no prior exposure to disability sports – to test and provide feedback on the mobile application.
“It is easier to access interesting programmes like contests and to encourage people to be active. I hope to see more features such as rewards like vouchers or discounts,” said Ms See Hai Shu, who is 42 years old and is deaf.
As part of the official launch, SDSC also introduced the rewards module, a way for users to earn points for completing actions in SDSC LIFE, which can be redeemed for attractive prizes. Future enhancements to the mobile application include providing listings of disability-friendly locations, such as swimming pools and gyms. Additionally, SDSC is also working with disability organisations and social service agencies to on-board their clients and beneficiaries who may be interested in disability sports.
SDSC is also seeking corporate partnerships and donors who would be able to come on board as mobile application partners to fund next-phase development of the mobile application.
“Technology has been a key driver for persons with disabilities to participate more fully in different social activities. With SDSC LIFE, we hope to encourage more persons with disabilities to come forward to participate in sports; to give themselves the opportunity to try something different. SDSC will support the sporting aspirations of persons with disabilities, whether it is at the entry or elite level. The most important step for persons with disabilities is to give disability sports a try. Together as one community, we can create wonderful experiences and memories together,” said Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, SDSC President.
To date, there have been more than 450 downloads of SDSC LIFE, with SDSC targeting more than 2,000 downloads by January 2022 and more than 5,000 downloads by January 2023.
Nur Syahidah Alim is one of many athletes who will benefit from the SDSC LIFE Mobile Application
“Sport has changed my life and I hope that more people will take a leap of faith to come forward to try sports and be a part of the community. With the SDSC LIFE, there are less barriers to entry and I hope to see the community grow,” said Ms Nur Syahidah Alim, the world number 1 para archer who will be representing Singapore at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
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