MANY DAWNS is about the continuing journey of individuals and organisations in Singapore to improve the quality of life of intellectually disabled people (IDPs) in Singapore.
It recounts key historical events relating to service provision, capture something of the spirit of the Voluntary Welfare Organisations' movement over the last 50 years, and deepen public's understanding of the meaning of intellectual disability to IDPs, service providers, caregivers and society.
Contents:
The main text is crafted in a story form comparing the quality of life, availability of resources, employment opportunities and society's inclusion and perception of IDPs with that of 50 years ago.
It recounts individuals', professionals', government's, clubs' and corporations' many voluntary and monetary contributions to provide services. It also unfolds the development of areas like sports, structured and specialised education, professional support, international collaborations, regional developments, researches, leading to heightened awareness and increased service provision.
Windows throughout the book provide facts on the different types of intellectual disability such as Rett Syndrome, Fragile-X Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Cri du Chat Syndrome, Turner Syndrome, Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Autism, and definition of what is intellectual disability. On the other end of the spectrum is an understanding of what IQ Score means and Gardner's Theory on Multiple Intelligence to put the whole concept of ‘intelligence’ in perspective. The legal issues relating to persons with intellectual disability in Singapore are explained. New developments and services such as ‘What is Assistive Technology’, the Use of IT in Special Education, Caregivers Support Groups, are highlighted. There are also Windows providing information on some international organisations servicing persons with intellectual disability, The international Day of Disabled Persons (IDDP), The International Year of Disabled Persons 1981 (IYDP), The Salamanca Agreement and The L'Arche Community.
Readership: There is something for everyone. The audience would include all who desire to learn more about the experience of intellectual disability and programs developed for IDPs in Singapore, of parents and other family members of IDPs to use the book as an orientation material, beginning teachers in both special education and the mainstream schools for training, professionals in various fields that work with children, IDPs themselves for self development and as a keepsake, and concerned and interested members of the public as part of citizenship education.
“Many Dawns encapsulates the continuing journey of individuals and organisations in Singapore towards improving the quality of life of intellectually disabled persons. It tells a moving tale of the struggle of the intellectually disabled persons to find a place in society. It also touches on the plight and joy of volunteers, service providers and caregivers as they strive to realise the dreams and hopes of their mission despite daunting odds. I hope the snippets of information on the various forms of intellectual disability will give readers some insights into the world of those who are so afflicted, and the challenges that they and their caregivers face in our society. But above all, Many Dawns is a tribute to the indomitable spirit and courage of quiet individuals who have strived to make a difference in the lives of the intellectually disabled. It challenges us to be a more inclusive society, to bring about many more dawns in this worthy cause of integrating the intellectually disabled in our society. Many Dawns is most befitting as a commemorative book for the 40th Anniversary of MINDS. I congratulate MINDS and many other organisations dedicated towards bringing a fuller and more productive life to the intellectually disabled persons. I share in your wish for a brighter dawn for the intellectually disabled in Singapore and hope that the future will hold a greater sense of fulfillment to all who are engaged in this noble endeavour.”
S R Nathan
President
Republic of Singapore
“We all live within a sphere for our existence, interacting mainly with those who affects our lives. In the absence of personal interest, influence or effort none of us would be mindful of the existence of others outside of our sphere. Many Dawns puts us into contact with the people who are coping with, dealing with or helping those with intellectual disabilities. Reading it makes us appreciative of our many blessings. Our own struggles are put into proper perspective as we read of the courage, commitment and hope of the afflicted, loved ones, and caregivers. I salute all these angels on earth. I commend the people behind the publication for sharing the experiences of the journey with the rest of us. I hope that it will result in more people venturing out of their sphere to reach out to others in the footsteps of these angels in our midst.”
Gerard Ee
President
National Council of Social Service
“Many Dawns tells a story of social service for intellectually disabled persons in Singapore in the last 50 years. I salute the people in the story — MINDS and the many volunteers, staff and supporters for bringing about the many dawns, the intellectually disabled persons for their courage and determination as well as, the family members for their love and compassion. These are fine examples of goodness in human character and strength in the human spirit. Many Dawns is a story of a marathon without a finishing line, of many dark nights followed by many dawns. It is moving, heart warming and inspiring.”
Chan Soo Sen
Minister of State
Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Community Development & Sports
“The story of Siew Ling, an intellectually disabled child, is an inspiring one. I share her ambition to lead a normal life. Although we have made progress, there is still much more we can do for our citizens with mental and physical disabilities. I commend this book to every one.”
Professor Tommy Koh
Ambassador-At-Large
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
“Many Singaporeans remain unaware of the challenges that those with intellectual disabilities face in our community. Many Dawns is a moving narrative of the extraordinary work MINDS has performed over 40 years, bringing new hope and opportunity to the intellectually disabled, and helping build a stronger and more caring community.”
Dr Cheong Choong Kong
Deputy Chairman and CEO
Singapore Airlines
“This book is educational, written with a spirit that upholds a basic respect for people for what they are. I am grateful to the professionals, caregivers and volunteers for having worked so hard in such a focused way to develop better services for intellectually disabled”
Claire Chiang
Executive Director
Banyan Tree Gallery
“The involvement of different personalities and community has been captured in the milestones, from ramshackle facilities to modern impressive buildings. On reading the contents one can simply sum up that the human software we have built and enhanced, does contribute to make the difference today. Many helping hands can drive our organizations for intellectually disabled persons further ahead.”
Professor S Vasoo
Advisor
Singapore Central Community Development Council
Professiorial Fellow
Department of Social Work & Psychology, NUS
