Singapore aims for a 40% employment rate for people with disabilities by 2030, but the latest figures show a 34.7% resident rate in 2024/25, highlighting a persistent gap in the labour market.
The 5.3-percentage-point shortfall formed a key backdrop for the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Regional Athlete Congress 2026, convened in Singapore on 3 August (Monday), where leaders examined how this employment gap reflects broader systemic challenges.
On 3 August, the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Regional Athlete Congress gathered 44 athlete leaders from across the region in Singapore to discuss concrete steps needed in employment, education and health systems.
Listening before acting
Martin Siah, Country Head of Bank of America in Singapore, told reporters that true inclusion requires more than hiring quotas; it demands resources, influence and platforms that amplify voices of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Natalie Tait, Head of Human Resources for Bank of America in APAC, warned that organisations often design programmes based on assumptions rather than the actual needs expressed by individuals.
She recalled watching young athletes who seemed withdrawn in the stands become focused and driven once on the track, illustrating how environment can unlock potential that appears hidden in other settings.
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Dipak Natali, Regional President of Special Olympics, described a “tyranny of low expectations” that limits opportunities from early childhood, noting that families and educators are frequently told what a child cannot do.
These entrenched attitudes surface in health clinics where unclear communication can make routine appointments intimidating, in schools where stigma curtails participation, and in workplaces where talent is overlooked before it can be demonstrated.
Hay Qing Hui, a Special Olympics Singapore athlete leader, highlighted that leadership roles help build confidence and trust, urging firms to provide guidance and responsibility rather than merely matching candidates to existing job descriptions.
Building an ecosystem of support
Stakeholder collaboration emerged as a recurring theme, with Siah emphasizing that businesses alone cannot close the employment gap.
Policy makers, community groups, educators and health providers were all urged to join forces, creating a network that offers consistent assistance from school classrooms to corporate boardrooms.
Educators highlighted the Unified Schools model, where students of all abilities share the same sports teams, supporting early peer interaction and reducing stigma.
