Panel Discussion: Desiring Connections

Unseen Art Initiatives

Through the lens of disability, the speakers discuss their capacity to form deep and meaningful relationships.

National Gallery Singapore Auditorium

<h3>Speakers: Claire Teo, Wan Wai Yee, Firdaus Jaafar, Oh Boon Keng </h3><h3>Moderated by: Andrew Ng</h3>This panel examines the centrality of deep and meaningful relationships to the well-being of persons with disability. The speakers will discuss common assumptions regarding the impact of disability on a variety of relationships, such as friendships, romantic and parent-child relationships, and workplace relationships. Visually-impaired artist Claire Teo and co-creators Wan Wai Yee and Firdaus Jaafar of Move For?ward (Unseen: Inside Out), together with the author of Can I Love?, Oh Boon Keng, who was born with muscular dystrophy, share their insights on stigma and forming authentic connections with persons with disability. The speakers will also share how art and writing offer fresh ways to negotiate and challenge normative attitudes towards disability. This is a collaboration between <a href="https://unseenart.myportfolio.com/work" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Unseen Art Initiatives</a> and the publishing house <a href="https://www.pagesetters.com.sg/index.php" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Pagesetters Services</a>.<h3></h3><h3>ACCESSIBILITY </h3>Speech-to-text interpretation (notetaking) is available for this event. We are committed to making this event accessible to as many people as possible. If you require a specific accessibility arrangement, <a href="https://forms.gle/tnuuqRgnkG4E3vpf7" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">click here</a> to let us know by submitting this form at least 10 days before the event. We will work with you to facilitate your requests.Some accessibility arrangements that we can provide on request include but are not limited to:- Singapore Sign Language interpretation- - Wheelchair access seating- Assistance dog friendly seating<h3>CAPACITY</h3>The event has limited capacity. Please email us at unseensg@gmail.com if you can no longer attend, so that we can release the tickets for interested parties.Email: unseensg@gmail.com

<h3>SPEAKERS</h3><h3></h3>Andrew NgPanel ModeratorSince 2013, Andrew has been volunteering actively at HCA Hospice Care as a general volunteer, Young Caregivers (yCG) facilitator and a longstanding emcee for events like the biannual Sunflower Remembrance Day and the annual Starpals Remembrance Day. For the past 5 years, he has joined HCA Hospice Care as a staff member, and now holds two portfolios: volunteer manager and lead for culture and organisational development.Claire TeoLead Artist of Move For?ward (Unseen Inside Out)Claire Teo is the first visually impaired person to have graduated from a professional theatre course in Singapore in 2019, (LASALLE College of the Arts’ Diploma in Performance). She is closely mentored by Artist-Educator and Disability Arts Specialist, Peter Sau in her artistic endeavors. Since then, she saw the need for more communities to access arts education and has been developing and teaching drama curriculums for persons with diverse abilities. She is now the Academic Director of Talent Academy (a division of Singapore Raffles Music College), which aims "Towards Unwavering Artistic Excellence for all". As part of PLAYInc Pte Ltd, she is the scriptwriter and director of several assembly school show programmes, an episodic sitcom and a children's storytelling series called "The Classics Retold". She wishes to work closely with her fellow disabled artists to break new artistic ground and champion the disability arts scene towards true inclusive practice; creating art with different communities that would empower and encourage awareness and social change.Firdhaus JaafarCo-creator of Move For?ward (Unseen Inside Out)Currently pursuing his Diploma in Community Development at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Firdhaus is a 21-year-old who aspires to be a social worker in the future. His sound work sheds light on the process of grieving through the cherished memories of his late father. Firdaus is committed to building a meaningful career of helping others in need. He seeks to understand and empathise with people of diverse communities, especially disabled communities, to develop innovative ways to elevate their burdens and provide access. Wan Wai YeeCo-creator of Move For?ward (Unseen Inside Out)Wai Yee, aged 48, is a talented and experienced singer who has been performing since 1995. Her repertoire extends from popular music to broadway musical numbers. She has sung for major and private events and has recently ventured into storytelling and acting. Through candid and humorous anecdotes, her sound work takes on a poignant tone as it educates us about the social stigmas surrounding visual impairment and gives fresh perspective to the word “porn”. Oh Boon Keng Author of Can I Love?Oh Boon Keng was born with muscular dystrophy – a genetic disease that causes his muscles to weaken over time. Despite his disability, Boon Keng wants to lead as “normal” a life as he can. He did not want to be seen as “special” just because of his disability. He only wanted to get good grades, get a good job, make many friends, fall in love, get married… simply be ordinary!However, Boon Keng learnt that an ordinary life is not always as easily attainable as it seems: there are many things difficult to achieve due to his disability and barriers in society. In particular, he had encountered failure time and again in his pursuit of romantic love, for more than 20 years of his life. As a person with disability, he found it a challenge to speak openly about matters of the heart.Now, as he enters his 30s, Boon Keng has finally mustered the courage to share such matters publicly, through his first book <a href="https://canilove.sg" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Can I Love?</a>.

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Panel Discussion: Desiring Connections

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Panel Discussion: Desiring Connections

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