community experiences of youth with disabilities in Singapore:

an online photography exhibit and collaboration with the USA and the Czech Republic

  • This online photo gallery presents the artistic identity expression of youth with disabilities in both the Asian country of Singapore and the state of Minnesota in the United States. Youth with disabilities in both countries were encouraged to express themselves and their experiences through photography. Most photographs were taken using a smart phone.

    These photos are a result of a project funded by the U.S. Embassy Singapore. The project was titled, “Developing Regenerative Societies Through Inclusion and Diversity” and focused on youth with disabilities in transition from school to adult-living. More about the project can be found here. This project also created a Community Engagement Toolkit which was used by youth in Singapore to explore their identities, explore career pathways, and locate positive and inclusive spaces in their communities.

    The project in Singapore also collaborated with projects in the United States (Minnesota) and the Czech Republic. You can see the Minnesota photos online here. You can see the Czech photos online here.

  • A group of students walk across a zebra crossing in Singapore. Several students are using wheelchairs being pushed by helpers. The trees are green and tropical and it is raining.

    “I like meeting my friends in school”

  • Two people walk across a cross-walk in the rain. They are holding umbrellas.

    “My school keeps us safe when we go out”

  • A group of students are walking across a cross-walk in Singapore. Several in the group are using wheelchairs that are being pushed by helpers.

    “It’s also safe to walk outside”

  • A group of students and support workers are going up a ramp. Several students are in wheelchairs being pushed by the helpers.

    “My friends can get to the train platform with me. I like going out with them.”

  • “This is inclusive”

  • A group of students are on the escalator at the MRT station.

    “Some of us take the escalator and some of us take the lift.”

  • People are using the turnstiles to get into the MRT station in Singapore.

    “This is the MRT station where my friends and I take the train to our destination. I like trains.”

  • Turnstile gates at an MRT station. These are not wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair user.

    “This is a place that is not welcoming”

  • A group of students and support workers are waiting for a train on the metro platform.

    “I like taking the MRT because there is aircon.”

  • A boy is using the MRT card machine.

    “I can top up cash in my MRT card. I can do it myself.”

  • “I enjoy taking the MRT”

  • Student interview (no photo included):

    “I love to see ocean animals. I know a lot about sharks and rays. I read up about them from the internet.”

  • Student interview (no photo included):

    “There are water canals near Sentosa. Able to see Keppel Marina Island. I like my home. Walk to Labrador Park. Like to watch people fishing.”

  • A group of students, including one wheelchair user, enters a supermarket.

    “We love the supermarket. I will buy snacks from there.”

  • “Love the people here”

  • “It’s easy to move around in my motorised wheelchair”

  • A student is grabbing a bag of instant noodles from the grocery store shelf.

    “I love eating instant noodles. I bought some to eat at home.”

  • “I like going to the mall with my class”