Disabled MOM employee urges firms to be more inclusive

She was born with a condition that affects the flexibility of her joints.

She cannot walk or move her left arm and can raise her right arm only to waist level.

But when she arrives at work on a motorised wheelchair, Miss Nurul Nabilah Mohamad Fu'ad, 25, is able to enter her office by herself because the reader for her staff pass is located at waist level.

At her desk, she makes and receives calls using a modified telephone and a headset.

And if she needs assistance, she just needs to press a button.

These are some of the special modifications the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has made for employees with disabilities, like Miss Nurul.

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The employment standards officer manages the MOM helpline for domestic workers and their employers.

Though she is able to use only her right arm to type reports and handle phone calls, she does not see this as an obstacle. Instead, it motivates her to work harder than her able-bodied peers.

"This job opportunity was hard to come by and I want to put all my effort into doing it well," said Miss Nurul, who celebrates her first anniversary at MOM this month.

For her, finding a job can take six months to a year.

Said Miss Nurul: "Some employers tell us we are qualified but are not keen to hire us because they do not have the capacity to modify their office buildings for our safety.

"When we get rejected be-cause of our disability, it discourages us from trying to find jobs."

Hoping that employers can be more inclusive, she added: "Giving us more opportunities will make us more independent and confident at work, which will help us be more productive."

Before her current job at MOM, Miss Nurul worked at an investment company.

Both jobs were secured with the help of SG Enable.

SG Enable will hold a Training and Career Fair to promote employment of persons with disabilities in the Enabling Village at Lengkok Bahru in Redhill on Saturday.