The project was driven by two men, Mr Dennis Quek and Mr Wilson Ang, who wanted to make sure Pulau Ubin's charms were not closed off to those who are wheelchair-bound.
Goh Chiew Tong, Channel NewsAsia 26 Jun 15;
SINGAPORE: With the belief that no part of the Republic should be inaccessible to any Singaporean, community project Wheels@Ubin brought a total of 100 wheelchair users to Pulau Ubin on Friday morning (Jun 26).
In conjunction with SG50, the project hopes to accelerate Singapore's transformation to an all-inclusive nation, said the organisers.
The wheelchair users, who were joined by volunteers and caregivers, are from Asian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA), Hand-Cycling Association of Singapore (HAS) and Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD).
At 7.45am on Friday, the participants arrived at Changi Sailing Club in taxis offered by SMRT. Sea transportation to Pulau Ubin was provided by the Republic of Singapore Navy’s 191 Squadron, via the use of its Fast Craft Utility (FCU). A total of 30 Navy personnel also volunteered for this initiative.
One of those visiting Pulau Ubin for the first time is Mdm Goh (pictured above). The 58-year-old said: "I'm very excited, but very nervous. I don't know what to expect because I've never seen it before."
Also seen at the embarkation point was Jason Chee, the navy serviceman who lost three limbs in an accident.
MAKING UBIN ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
Wheels@Ubin was founded by Mr Dennis Quek and Mr Wilson Ang, who were initially inspired by a popular discussion in the 2014 Budget about preserving and enhancing Pulau Ubin’s rustic character and natural environment, while providing access for the general public.
Both men then took a trip to the island, only to realise that its charm was inaccessible to wheelchair users.
"We started on this project more than a year ago. We thought it would be good if we attempt to bring some wheelchair users over," said Mr Quek.
Co-founder Mr Ang added: "It's about the accessibility, we try not to focus on the disability but rather focus on how to make Singapore more accessible."
Mr Quek added that the whole project was not without challenges, one of which was the sea transport for wheelchair users. "It took us four months with the navy to come up with a plan, and then we went to the SG50 celebration fund for money. We then roped in SMRT because if we can get them across water, the next question is: 'How are we going to get them to Changi?'"
"The good thing was that many people put up their hands and volunteered willingly. Everyone we spoke to were very supportive," he added.
Colonel Thng Chee Meng, Commanding Officer of 191 Squadron, also spoke to Channel NewsAsia about the difficulties the Singapore navy faced in the planning process. One of which was to find a place where safe transport the wheelchair users can board the crafts safely.
"We had to first identify the landing site, and the terrain cannot be too steep or too muddy. This craft can be beached at any place but we wanted to make sure that the wheelchair users are looked after, safe and comfortable," he said.
"We even had to look at the tide, to see which timing is most favourable. The tide cannot be changing too fast or too high."
PARTICIPANT ON FIRST UBIN TOUR: 'AWESOME'
At Pulau Ubin, the participants went on either the cycling or walking route. The cycling route was for wheelchair users who could hand cycle.
Students from Republic Polytechnic were also at the event to perform Dikir Barat, which involves the use of hand movements, music and song to form a story.
"It is our first time performing somewhere far from school, so it's cool and very meaningful," said one of the performers, 18-year-old Firzanah.
The participants were also treated to complimentary drinks and ice cream on the island.
"It's a great project. For the wheelchair users to get over to Ubin is really not easy. This is a great chance for them see this small kampong and island of Singapore. It's so meaningful," said Mr Lim, 62, one of the shopowners at Pulau Ubin.
Other activities include silk-screen painting and balloon art. For Ilham, 9 (pictured below), who was at Pulau Ubin for the first time, the experience was "awesome".
"I liked the silkscreen painting," he said with a soft smile.
His mother, 41-year-old Mdm Yani said that this is a great experience for her son, as he has never went beyond the shores of Singapore due to his disability.
"Right now we can see that Singapore is becoming more wheelchair-friendly, for example the roads and MRT stations. Such programmes can raise awareness about wheelchair users and be more understanding towards them," she added.
Another mother, Mdm Rosida Omar, 37, was also at the event with her son, 10-year-old Danial (pictured below). She describes Danial, who is diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, as an "outdoor rather than indoor boy".
"They should have more of such activities, where wheelchair users are able to explore more of Singapore."
- CNA/ct
100 people in wheelchairs visit Pulau Ubin
Wheelchair users tour island as part of SG50 event
HISYAM NASSER New Paper 27 Jun 15;
Yesterday, 10-year-old Muhd Danial Sohaimi went to Pulau Ubin for the first time in his life.
The Primary 4 pupil at Canberra Primary School was one of 100 wheelchair users invited to Pulau Ubin as part of an SG50 event, Wheels @ Ubin.
Organised by Mr Dennis Quek, director at Republic Polytechnic's Centre of Innovation for Supply Chain Management, the event was to raise awareness about the inaccessibility of certain places in Singapore, such as nature reserves, to people with disabilities.
It is supported by the SG50 Celebration Fund.
Danial, who suffers from a genetic disorder known as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, told The New Paper that he enjoyed his day out.
He said: "I really love the sea and it is my favourite thing here."
Participants were picked up from their homes in SMRT taxis.
They were ferried to Pulau Ubin from Changi Sailing Club on five fast craft utility boats (FCUs) provided by the Republic of Singapore Navy.
Bum boats, which are normally used for travel to Pulau Ubin, could not be used as they pose a safety hazard for wheelchair users because of space constraints.
VOLUNTEERS
At Pulau Ubin, most of the participants, who are beneficiaries of the Asian Women's Welfare Association and the Society for the Physically Disabled, went on a tour around the island with the help of volunteers.
Another 22 participants from the Hand-cycling Association of Singapore toured the bicycle routes on their handcycles.
For most of the participants, it was the first time they had been to Pulau Ubin.
It was also Danial's first visit to a park or nature reserve since he started using a wheelchair two years ago.
Danial's mother, Madam Rosidah Omar, said she was thankful her son got to take part in the event, especially since areas like Pulau Ubin are usually not accessible to people using wheelchairs.
Her son lost the ability to walk when he was eight due to the debilitating muscle wasting condition that affects one in 3,500 boys worldwide.
Said the 37-year-old childcare teacher: "I am really happy that my son is able to experience this. My two older brothers had (the same condition) and they both passed away at 14 and 16 years old.
"There is no cure for this and it will only get worse as Danial grows older."
Participants were also treated to cultural performances, such as Malay dikir barat and Chinese wushu, by students from Republic Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
Mr Quek said: "Having just come back from Sweden, I noticed that (the) majority of their nature trails are made accessible to (those) who are wheelchair bound."
"(We wanted) to show how much (wheelchair users) require in terms of accessibility."
Volunteer Alex Lim, 48, a senior executive, said: "It is truly fulfilling to help people experience new things and to help kids like Danial enjoy life as much as they can."
