Singapore, 23 November 2019 – SG Enable will
be setting up a new initiative aimed at enabling special artists and artisans
to hone their talents and showcase their skills in art, design and handicrafts.
Under the i’mable (pronounced
“I’m Able”) Collective, SG Enable will be forming a coalition of organisations from the
people, public and private sectors that are committed to collaborating and
contributing knowledge and resources to create a viable market for products
made or designed by persons with disabilities. The announcement was made at the i’mable Gift
Market event at the Enabling Village, which was graced by President Halimah
Yacob.
2 The Collective was mooted in response to feedback from the disability
sector that their clients would benefit from more opportunities to train and
work in the creative space and showcase their products. This could be
facilitated by a concerted effort, drawing on the expertise and resources of
the wider community.
3 “From
designing artwork to making handicraft, many of the social service agencies and
social enterprises already have existing infrastructure to develop persons with
disabilities as creative talents. The Collective represents a strong commitment
to create more opportunities for them to showcase their capabilities and
empower them through collaboration and employment,” said i’mable Workgroup
Co-Chair and SG Enable board member Jean Tan.
4 The i’mable Collective will be
a collaborative effort involving people, private and public sector players. Central
to the Collective are the Makers – social service agencies, social enterprises,
and special artists and artisans. As the Convenor, SG Enable aims to attract
organisations to partner the Collective – to impart industry knowledge and subject
matter expertise (e.g. product design, craft skills) to the Makers, and to provide
business opportunities to Makers to participate in the creation of quality gift
products. Together, the Collective seeks to give persons with disabilities access
to new economic and engagement opportunities that promote their independence and
participation in the community.
5 “It is this collaboration, this
unity, that makes this initiative special, and is critical to the success
of the Collective. We will devote efforts and resources to connect Makers with Partners to build their capabilities
and expand avenues
for collaboration, and corporate
clients keen on procuring
top-of-class products with a social cause,” said i’mable Workgroup Co-Chair and
SG Enable board member Xie Yao Quan.
6 The i’mable Collective is
part of the broader i’mable initiative to:
· Change public perceptions by highlighting the abilities of persons
with disabilities. The i’mable initiative will harness opportunities for
collaboration to showcase the value creation and excellence that can be
achieved when different sectors in Singapore come together. It also aims to
spur companies to leverage on the competitive advantages of making
inclusiveness an integral part of corporate strategy.
· Create more opportunities for persons with disabilities through
partnering the talent and resources of the wider community to enable them to
live up to their potential and be meaningfully engaged in society.
· Take positive action for persons with disabilities by inviting
organisations and society as a whole, to integrate and actively empower them
through collaboration, employment, sponsorship, and procurement.
7 “The
hope for i’mable is that it becomes a movement for an inclusive Singapore,
where the community embraces the uniqueness of every individual, and everyone is
valued for who they are,” said SG Enable Chief Executive Officer, Ms Ku Geok
Boon.
8 The
i’mable Gift Market was held at the Enabling Village today for the public to
shop for festive gifts. The event saw more than 30 vendors offering
a myriad of products, of which over 20 carry items by artists and artisans with
disabilities from the social service agencies and social enterprises for the
festive shopping season.