'Persons with disabilities need equality in jobs, not pity': Stomper who has cerebral palsy
Aili
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Persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Singapore need meaningful career opportunities, fair wages and dignity at work.
This is what Stomper Aili, who has cerebral palsy and has been working here for nearly six years, has been advocating for.
She told Stomp that while she is grateful to be employed, her experience shows how token employment and low wages remain common challenges faced by many in the community.
"I work seven hours a day and spend another three commuting in my wheelchair, yet I earn only $7 an hour," said Aili. "True equality is not just about having a job.
"It's about dignity, respect and real career pathways."
According to The Straits Times, about 7,000 employers have hired around 16,000 PWDs. Singapore also aims to raise the employment rate for working-age PWDs to 40 per cent by 2030.
However, Aili said the reality on the ground often tells a different story.
"Some companies that do hire PWDs often lack meaningful support," she said. "Accessing assistance can also be difficult due to slow processes and poor communication."
She stressed that the key issue is not just how many PWDs are employed, but whether their jobs are meaningful, sustainable and dignified.
"Without focusing on quality, dignity and career growth, policies risk becoming numbers without real impact," she added.
Aili highlighted three major barriers faced by PWDs:
- Maze of support: Slow processes, lack of follow-up and poor accountability leave many feeling abandoned.
- Communication barriers: Systems often rely on phone calls despite some impairments, shutting out qualified candidates.
- Quota mentality: PWDs are sometimes placed into roles just to meet diversity targets, without matching skills or aspirations.
She described the experience as feeling like a 'soccer ball', constantly passed between agencies without resolution.
To build a more inclusive workforce, Aili suggested:
- Better job matching with dedicated case managers and accessible communication channels.
- Expanded training that includes both technical and soft skills, especially in digital literacy, with stronger industry partnerships.
- Stronger accommodations, such as flexible work arrangements and incentives for employers who practise genuine inclusion.
Aili also called for fair pay and transparency. According to the World Economic Forum, employees with disabilities are paid about 12 per cent less per hour on average.
She urged for:
- Pay transparency so companies openly report wage data and gaps.
- Equal pay for equal work, ensuring PWDs are not underpaid for doing the same jobs.
- Stronger enforcement against wage discrimination.
A Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) survey shows that overall positive public attitudes toward PWDs fell from 76.8 per cent in 2019 to 68.9 per cent in 2023.
The workplace saw the sharpest decline, with positive attitudes dropping from 59.6 per cent in 2019 to 50.6 per cent in 2023, particularly towards those with invisible disabilities such as autism.
Aili said this underscores the need for stronger awareness, education and structural change: "The goal is simple: fair pay, fair treatment and fair opportunities.
"The community of persons with disabilities is a reservoir of untapped talent.
"We don't need sympathy - we are asking for dignity."
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