To create a pro-consumer and pro-business infocomm environment, IDA formulates infocomm-related policies, standards, codes of practice and advisory guidelines aimed at leveling the playing field for infocomm service providers and empowering consumers and businesses with more choices.

IDA plays an active role in developing Singapore’s pool of globally-competitive infocomm talent and an infocomm-savvy workforce. We are also focused on driving consumer education initiatives, ensuring digital inclusion and supporting the effective use of infocomm in community outreach efforts.

Overview

IDA drives the growth, competitiveness and innovation of Singapore’s infocomm industry by nurturing local infocomm enterprises and supporting them in their internationalisation efforts. We also seek to inject greater vibrancy into the infocomm ecosystem by attracting world-class global infocomm MNCs and startups to hub in Singapore.

Infocomm Accessibility Centre

Infocomm Accessibility Centre Trains People With Disabilities To Increase Independence And Employability

The Infocomm Accessibility (IA) Centre, a new pan-disability ¹ training facility, run by the Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD), offers industry-relevant infocomm training, IT-related apprenticeship as well as library facilities for assistive technology equipment.

Located at Peng Nguan Street off Tiong Poh Road, the training facility spans three floors in the SPD Ability Centre and occupies a total of 600 square metres. It comprises three computer labs for various levels of infocomm technology courses and four training rooms for the apprenticeship programme. It also houses the first ever Assistive Technology (AT) Loan Library in Asia catering to people with disabilities.

Over the next three years until 2010, the IA Centre aims to provide 4,000 training places for people with physical, sensory and developmental disabilities. The training curriculum covers basic computing skills like word processing, database and presentation fundamentals, as well as industry-relevant skills such as digital imaging, web animation and graphic design. The training is customised to the special needs of the trainees, who each will be assessed and appraised using a mutually agreed individualised training plan before he or she enrols in the programme. Some of those who have been trained may be selected to undergo further specialised training leading to certification and professional qualifications.

After completing the IT training, trainees who have the aptitude and capability for an IT-related career may progress to the IT Apprenticeship Programme (ITAP) offered by this Centre. For a start, ITAP offers three career tracks, namely in the areas of Corporate Services, Multimedia Design and Music & Video Production. Under this programme, trainees will undergo between three to 12 months of training, comprising competency training, internship placements and engagement in commercial projects to acquire hands-on industry experience and develop workplace confidence to apply for employment in the open market.

The IT Apprenticeship Programme which commenced operations in May 2008 has already received positive support from eight employers including Blue Singapore, Fico Sports Hub, FurnisHub Pte Ltd, Kentucky Fried Chicken Management Pte Ltd & Pizza Hut Singapore Pte Ltd, KK Women's & Children's Hospital, Onion Design Pte Ltd, Lucidity Pte Ltd and Research2Trails. These companies have committed to offer internship opportunities, commercial projects and employment to trainees upon their course completion.

The IA Centre will also house an Assistive Technology (AT) Loan Library which allows trainees to borrow computer accessibility tools and AT devices for trials before purchase or for replacement use when their personal sets have been sent for repair or servicing. This is the first AT Loan Library in Asia that will benefit the people with disabilities directly other than professionals who work with them.

Managed by the SPD and supported by Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), National Council of Social Service (NCSS), Singapore Tote Board and industry partner, Microsoft Singapore, the IA Centre is the fruition of a people-public-private sector collaboration. It is one of the key programmes under the iN2015 Masterplan's digital inclusion initiative that aims to develop a digitally-inclusive society. It also meets the objectives of the Enabling Masterplan which aims to maximise the potential of people with disabilities and to enable them to be contributing members of the community by equipping them with market-relevant skills to enhance their employability.

For more information, please visit www.iacentre.org.sg or contact SPD at 6323 2303 or [email protected] .