As infocomm is increasingly an enabler of economic and social growth, it is important that no one is left behind. Under the 10-year infocomm masterplan, Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015), IDA is committed to work with community groups and industry, to bring the benefits of infocomm to all. To realise this vision, IDA aims to create an all-inclusive digital society:
The Social Service Sector faces challenges in greater demand for skilled manpower, the need for more prevalent data in service planning, as well as demand from clients on better and more effective service delivery. In addressing these challenges, the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is acknowledged as a key enabler to achieve productivity gains and service delivery improvements.
As part of the effort to drive productivity and service improvements, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), together with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), and the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), had undertaken a review of the challenges faced by clients in need, as well as challenges faced by Help Agencies in supporting these clients. The outcome of this review is a five-year (FY2012 to FY2016) Social Service Sector ICT Master Plan, or SS2016.
IDA's effort in equipping needy households with computer ownership started in 1999. To better address the dynamic school curriculum, IDA enhanced the programme in November 2006 and renamed it 'NEU PC Plus Programme'. To date, the NEU PC Plus Programme has benefited more than 7,000 needy households, with school-going children or people with disabilities, with new computer bundled with free 3-year broadband access and software at an affordable price. From July 2009, the NEU PC Plus Programme is further enhanced by raising the qualifying income cap, as well as reducing the PC co-payment amount payable by the applicant for the PC bundle. IDA expects the programme to benefit up to 38,000 needy households by 2015.
In Singapore's fast-greying society, infocomm technology can play an important role in helping the elderly continue to contribute meaningfully to society, stay actively connected with their family and the community, and not be left behind in our digital society. Customised infocomm training programmes will be conducted for the elderly, by the elderly, to promote greater infocomm awareness among senior citizens who are less tech-savvy.
People with disabilities can benefit significantly from infocomm, which widens their opportunities and connects them with the mainstream community. Towards this end, IDA will be working with voluntary and welfare organizations to help the disabled overcome obstacles in infocomm adoption through the use of assistive technology, accessibility tools as well as Infocomm-related vocational training to enhance their employability.
