OCBC partners Singapore Disability Sports Council to launch first water safety programme for PWDs
This is the first corporate-funded partnership to provide inclusive coaching and specialised equipment for 100 persons with disabilities
[SINGAPORE] OCBC and the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) have launched the first water safety programme in Singapore that is curated for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
OCBC-SDSC SwimTogether, as it is called, will offer 800 free lessons for 100 PWDs for a full year. Each participant will undergo eight lessons over a three-month period.
A total of S$70,000 in funding will be used to cover the costs of engaging certified coaches and procuring specialised equipment designed to support PWDs. The money will also be used to book suitable venues including heated pools and facilities with accessible entry points.
Transport services will be provided free for individuals with high dependency or accessibility needs.
The programme was launched on Saturday (Oct 4) at Little Splashes Aquatics at the Enabling Village in Lengkok Bahru.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth Goh Hanyan was present at the event, where OCBC’s managing director of group brand and communications Ow Yong Weng Leong and SDSC president Teo-Koh Sock Miang announced the start of the partnership.
A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU
Friday, 2 pm
Lifestyle
Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself.
Those interested in signing up can contact SDSC via e-mail at community@sdsc.org.sg
SDSC will also work with special education schools, day activity centres and residential homes to identify suitable participants.
“Swimming is an important life skill, especially for us living on an island,” said OCBC’s head of group brand and communications Koh Ching Ching.
“But the world is not fully designed with people with disabilities in mind. For them to step into a pool, (it) can be filled with countless hidden barriers. We hope that OCBC-SDSC SwimTogether will help make swimming a little less daunting for them.”
Copyright SPH Media. All rights reserved.
