SINGAPORE — Singaporeans are turning up in droves to the ASEAN Para Games (APG) carnival at the Sports Hub’s OCBC Square, a sign that there is growing interest and awareness among the public on the plight of the disabled here.

Popular among the public and especially young children are the 10 stations at the APG Carnival, where some are seen manoeuvring around a small circuit in wheelchairs, while others are kicking a football blindfolded. There is a station for learning basic sign language, and a badminton game where players must use their non-dominant hand.

Another popular station, titled Living In the Dark, takes people through a sequence of activities blindfolded, to help them understand what it is like going about your daily life as a blind person.

Children are each given a short explanation of the plight of the disabled at the end of their tryout.

Irnani Suriak, who brought her three children, aged two, five and eight, to the carnival, said that awareness about the disabled community in Singapore is on a high at the moment, and hopes this will be sustained for the long term.

“The popularity of the carnival shows that interest in understanding the group is strong as well,” she said.

“Over the past three to four months, there has been a surge in awareness and interest in para sports and para athletes. I think Singaporeans are learning about the disabled community with interest, and not sticking their noses up, or turning a blind eye to it.

“In the coming days, I will probably bring my kids to watch a few competitions. They are excited about watching some of the sports. There are so many lessons to gain from watching the para athletes compete.”

In a study done this year by the Singapore APG organising committee, it was found that many people have wrong perceptions of what disability sports are all about, perceiving the APG as “not as exciting”, that para athletes are “not as well known” and they feel “uncomfortable” watching the Games.

But Alan Lim, 51, who was at the carnival with his seven-year-old daughter, Kaylene, said: “It may be a little bit uncomfortable, at first, watching the disabled at the APG. But it is only through seeing and interacting with them that you can understand them more.

“I think fostering acceptance and empathy starts from young. We are surely taking little steps towards building an inclusive society.” ADELENE WONG

The APG carnival is from Nov 28 to Dec 9, and opens 10am to 9pm daily. Admission is free.