Problem Statement
Persons with physical disabilities face challenges in real-time route finding due to the absence of a map application that contains barrier-free access information and contextual information, such as traffic conditions, bus arrival timings, etc.

Solution
Mercurics’ one-stop information portal collates information on portal on barrier-free accessibility in the Central Business District and selected mature estates.
This includes:
- Place accessibility and facilities – e.g. accessible washrooms and entrances;
- Path surface conditions – e.g. incline and bumpiness; and
- Micro-level accessibility – e.g. shelters and ramps
Through this project, Mercuris will also develop evidence-based recommendations which will be provided to town planners and relevant agencies to improve barrier-free accessibility.

Outcomes
Persons with disabilities will be better able to access real-time route-finding information, thereby gaining greater control over their travel routes and expected travel time.

More about grantee
Mercurics Pte Ltd is a local startup that focuses on the use of data to make sense of the world. It has worked with many large organisations to build custom AI models to predict human behaviour and provide institutions with the resources to improve the welfare of the people.

Persons with physical disabilities face challenges in real-time route finding due to the absence of a map application that contains barrier-free access information and contextual information, such as traffic conditions, bus arrival timings, etc.

Mercurics’ one-stop information portal collates information on portal on barrier-free accessibility in the Central Business District and selected mature estates.

- Place accessibility and facilities – e.g. accessible washrooms and entrances;

- Path surface conditions – e.g. incline and bumpiness; and

- Micro-level accessibility – e.g. shelters and ramps

Through this project, Mercuris will also develop evidence-based recommendations which will be provided to town planners and relevant agencies to improve barrier-free accessibility.

Persons with disabilities will be better able to access real-time route-finding information, thereby gaining greater control over their travel routes and expected travel time.

Mercurics Pte Ltd is a local startup that focuses on the use of data to make sense of the world. It has worked with many large organisations to build custom AI models to predict human behaviour and provide institutions with the resources to improve the welfare of the people.

Smart BFA v2

Problem Statement
Persons with autism can face great challenges navigating the workforce. Global statistics have shown that less than 20% of them are gainfully employed.

Solution
The project aims to enhance the employability of persons with mild autism through the development of a Virtual Mentor that will help them build their confidence, understand communication behaviours, and provide communication and speech content improvements.
•  Confidence Building

The Virtual Mentor will have the ability to extract relevant topics from a user’s profile to start a conversation that is relatable. Through continuous interaction with the bot, persons with autism will begin to feel more comfortable engaging in conversations, resulting in greater confidence.

•  Behaviour Analyser
Audio and video analytics gathered through their interaction will allow the Virtual Mentor to provide recommendations that can improve a user’s body language and tone in speech.

•  Content Evaluator
Through their conversation, the Virtual Mentor will analyse a user’s reply, compliment areas of good response techniques and content, provide feedback, and recommend sentiment, word choice and speech content improvements.

•  Workplace Simulator
The Virtual Mentor will be able to simulate work activities, introduce abrupt communication and job tasks that will help train and prepare the user.

Outcomes
Through the use of Augmented and Virtual Reality, the employability of persons with mild autism is enhanced through work simulations, behaviour and speech trainings.

More about grantee
X0PA AI is made up of a team of Data Scientists and Engineers who are committed to shaping the Artificial Intelligence (AI) talent management structure of corporate and enterprise-level organisations. To move Singapore towards a more inclusive society, they endeavour to influence and change the way these organisations think about inclusive hiring, by equipping persons with mild autism with the know-hows through AI.

Persons with autism can face great challenges navigating the workforce. Global statistics have shown that less than 20% of them are gainfully employed.

The project aims to enhance the employability of persons with mild autism through the development of a Virtual Mentor that will help them build their confidence, understand communication behaviours, and provide communication and speech content improvements.

The Virtual Mentor will have the ability to extract relevant topics from a user’s profile to start a conversation that is relatable. Through continuous interaction with the bot, persons with autism will begin to feel more comfortable engaging in conversations, resulting in greater confidence.

Audio and video analytics gathered through their interaction will allow the Virtual Mentor to provide recommendations that can improve a user’s body language and tone in speech.

Through their conversation, the Virtual Mentor will analyse a user’s reply, compliment areas of good response techniques and content, provide feedback, and recommend sentiment, word choice and speech content improvements.

The Virtual Mentor will be able to simulate work activities, introduce abrupt communication and job tasks that will help train and prepare the user.

Through the use of Augmented and Virtual Reality, the employability of persons with mild autism is enhanced through work simulations, behaviour and speech trainings.

X0PA AI is made up of a team of Data Scientists and Engineers who are committed to shaping the Artificial Intelligence (AI) talent management structure of corporate and enterprise-level organisations. To move Singapore towards a more inclusive society, they endeavour to influence and change the way these organisations think about inclusive hiring, by equipping persons with mild autism with the know-hows through AI.

Empauwer

Problem Statement
In an ever-developing urban landscape like Singapore, with new routes and roads appearing ever so often, people with visual impairment could be affected by unfamiliar territory, putting them in a precarious position.

Solution
The project aims to create a seamless outdoor and indoor navigation system that can be used by the persons with visual impairment.
The system combines the outdoor positioning function primarily provided by GPS, indoor positioning technology developed by MyrLabs Navistar, as well as an enhanced scheme of GPS and Navistar signals to create seamless transitions between the indoors and outdoors.
This system will be deployed at the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped Campus, to provide:
•  Navigation data through positioning devices
•  Navigation aids (hands-free devices) to guide persons with visual impairment in covered areas
•  Mapping abilities that can facilitate the movement and information dissemination of persons with visual impairment
•  Location-sharing function for persons with visual impairment share their positions with caregivers

Outcomes
The Seamless Navigation for the Blind and Visually Impaired system can do more than just helping persons with visual impairment navigate; the navigation aids can open up new job opportunities for them, such as taking on tour guide roles inside museums or art galleries, and easing their commute to work.
Should the system be deployed at major public venues, persons with visual impairment will then be able to travel independently.

More about grantee
The project team consists of members from National Technological University (NTU) and MyrLabs, who have been working on the indoor positioning technology since 2011.
The team is committed to help the lives of the visually impaired by empowering them to be independent even in places they have never been to.

In an ever-developing urban landscape like Singapore, with new routes and roads appearing ever so often, people with visual impairment could be affected by unfamiliar territory, putting them in a precarious position.

The project aims to create a seamless outdoor and indoor navigation system that can be used by the persons with visual impairment.

The system combines the outdoor positioning function primarily provided by GPS, indoor positioning technology developed by MyrLabs Navistar, as well as an enhanced scheme of GPS and Navistar signals to create seamless transitions between the indoors and outdoors.

This system will be deployed at the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped Campus, to provide:

•  Navigation data through positioning devices

•  Navigation aids (hands-free devices) to guide persons with visual impairment in covered areas

•  Mapping abilities that can facilitate the movement and information dissemination of persons with visual impairment

•  Location-sharing function for persons with visual impairment share their positions with caregivers

The Seamless Navigation for the Blind and Visually Impaired system can do more than just helping persons with visual impairment navigate; the navigation aids can open up new job opportunities for them, such as taking on tour guide roles inside museums or art galleries, and easing their commute to work.

Should the system be deployed at major public venues, persons with visual impairment will then be able to travel independently.

The project team consists of members from National Technological University (NTU) and MyrLabs, who have been working on the indoor positioning technology since 2011.

The team is committed to help the lives of the visually impaired by empowering them to be independent even in places they have never been to.

Seamless Navigation for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Problem Statement
Multiple research studies have shown that outdoor adventures and the great nature help boost one’s learning and their general health. However, young persons with disabilities often do not get as many opportunities as their peers to experience outdoor education programmes.

Solution
The project aims to help persons with disabilities learn through their environment; bolstering their confidence and instilling a sense of curiosity to explore opportunities that they think are beyond their limits.
•  Construction of a Universally Designed Outdoor Adventure Element Circuit that can be used by persons with limited mobility. It consists of 5 challenge elements that are adapted from mainstream challenge elements.
•  Development of a Virtual Reality (VR) Application programme for persons with disabilities and their caregivers. It projects a simulated environment that mimics a safe real-life setting. This provides them the opportunity to experience outdoor activities in a safe and controlled environment.
•  Making improvements to the Sarimbun Scout Campsite by integrating wheelchair-friendly ramps, pathways, toilets and accommodation. 
•  Development of an Outdoor Adventure Sensory Application that can be activated on iPads and speakers. These devices are planted around the campsite to allow persons with disabilities to independently navigate the campsite with features such as geo-location, audio and visual cues.

Outcomes
SSSA uses the outdoors as a non-formal education platform where young scouters can discover, learn and put into practice essential life skills through serving others and learning by doing.
With this commitment in mind, SSA aims to broaden their reach to persons with disabilities, to create an inclusive learning platform for everyone.

More about grantee
The Singapore Scout Association (SSA) is one of the oldest youth movements in Singapore. SSA is committed to the development and education of young people where it encourages the holistic physical, mental, spiritual and social development of youth with a strong emphasis on duty to country and helping other people.

Multiple research studies have shown that outdoor adventures and the great nature help boost one’s learning and their general health. However, young persons with disabilities often do not get as many opportunities as their peers to experience outdoor education programmes.

The project aims to help persons with disabilities learn through their environment; bolstering their confidence and instilling a sense of curiosity to explore opportunities that they think are beyond their limits.

•  Construction of a Universally Designed Outdoor Adventure Element Circuit

 that can be used by persons with limited mobility. It consists of 5 challenge elements that are adapted from mainstream challenge elements.

•  Development of a Virtual Reality (VR) Application

 programme for persons with disabilities and their caregivers. It projects a simulated environment that mimics a safe real-life setting. This provides them the opportunity to experience outdoor activities in a safe and controlled environment.

•  Making improvements to the Sarimbun Scout Campsite

 by integrating wheelchair-friendly ramps, pathways, toilets and accommodation. 

•  Development of an Outdoor Adventure Sensory Application

 that can be activated on iPads and speakers. These devices are planted around the campsite to allow persons with disabilities to independently navigate the campsite with features such as geo-location, audio and visual cues.

SSSA uses the outdoors as a non-formal education platform where young scouters can discover, learn and put into practice essential life skills through serving others and learning by doing.

With this commitment in mind, SSA aims to broaden their reach to persons with disabilities, to create an inclusive learning platform for everyone.

The Singapore Scout Association (SSA) is one of the oldest youth movements in Singapore. SSA is committed to the development and education of young people where it encourages the holistic physical, mental, spiritual and social development of youth with a strong emphasis on duty to country and helping other people.

Inclusive Outdoor Adventure (IOA)

Problem Statement
Existing wheelchairs require the help of caregivers to use transfer boards to move persons with disabilities (PWDs) from bed to wheelchair, and vice versa.
In addition, it is challenging to move the person from a supine to a sitting position. Wheelchair users also require assistance to reach items above their sitting position.

Solution
The project aims to develop a smart-assistive wheelchair (1st prototype) that:
• can transform into a ‘flatbed’ with in-built convertible transfer boards;
• has adjustable height and tilting functions for easy transfer;
• allows users to sit up or lie down at various heights, and reach items up to 1.8m;
• has an optional pressure sore monitoring and mitigation system, as well as an optional location tracking system for caregivers to locate the whereabouts of persons with disabilities.

Outcomes
The Smart-Assistive Wheelchair eliminates the use of transfer boards and improves the ease of transfer of persons with disabilities, hence alleviating some of the physically demanding challenges caregivers face during the transfer process.

More about grantee
The project team comprises lecturers from NYP School of Engineering, who are specialised in various design fields, such as industrial design, electronic and electrical control, mechanical and mechanism as well as lecturers from School of Health & Social Sciences who are equipped with specialised knowledge and skills in holistic nursing of the client.

Existing wheelchairs require the help of caregivers to use transfer boards to move persons with disabilities (PWDs) from bed to wheelchair, and vice versa.

In addition, it is challenging to move the person from a supine to a sitting position. Wheelchair users also require assistance to reach items above their sitting position.

The project aims to develop a smart-assistive wheelchair (1st prototype) that:

• can transform into a ‘flatbed’ with in-built convertible transfer boards;

• has adjustable height and tilting functions for easy transfer;

• allows users to sit up or lie down at various heights, and reach items up to 1.8m;

• has an optional pressure sore monitoring and mitigation system, as well as an optional location tracking system for caregivers to locate the whereabouts of persons with disabilities.

The Smart-Assistive Wheelchair eliminates the use of transfer boards and improves the ease of transfer of persons with disabilities, hence alleviating some of the physically demanding challenges caregivers face during the transfer process.

The project team comprises lecturers from NYP School of Engineering, who are specialised in various design fields, such as industrial design, electronic and electrical control, mechanical and mechanism as well as lecturers from School of Health & Social Sciences who are equipped with specialised knowledge and skills in holistic nursing of the client.

Smart-Assistive Wheelchair for Increased PWD Independence and Improved Caregiver Functions

Problem Statement
Deaf people and those with hearing loss presently have limited access to audio-visual and entertainment content such as movies, TV shows, concerts, plays, videos, and so on. As such, they have fewer opportunities to experience what others can enjoy.

Solution
The project aims to develop companion content (sign language videos and subtitles) for deaf people and those with hearing loss, so they can better enjoy audio-visual content with the rest of society.
There will be close collaboration with the Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf) to engage sign language interpreters, as well as co-manage the activation, engagement, and sustained participation of the deaf community. This project will also engage the deaf community, encouraging them to contribute via creation and/ or co-curation of companion content, while people without hearing loss could contribute content such as fan-generated subtitles. Increased interactions between deaf people and the community can nurture empathy and inclusivity.

Outcomes
Deaf people and those with hearing loss will be able to experience what many other people already enjoy - go to the cinema, watch the latest TV shows, learn from videos, and so on.

More about grantee
Wika Media Pte Ltd is a private company in Singapore with experience in mobile communications, IT and media. Wika has a companion content service (synchronised delivery of dub tracks, audio commentaries, foreign language subtitles, and so on.) and it hopes to continue to serve the larger hearing, deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Deaf people and those with hearing loss presently have limited access to audio-visual and entertainment content such as movies, TV shows, concerts, plays, videos, and so on. As such, they have fewer opportunities to experience what others can enjoy.

The project aims to develop companion content (sign language videos and subtitles) for deaf people and those with hearing loss, so they can better enjoy audio-visual content with the rest of society.

There will be close collaboration with the Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf) to engage sign language interpreters, as well as co-manage the activation, engagement, and sustained participation of the deaf community. This project will also engage the deaf community, encouraging them to contribute via creation and/ or co-curation of companion content, while people without hearing loss could contribute content such as fan-generated subtitles. Increased interactions between deaf people and the community can nurture empathy and inclusivity.

Deaf people and those with hearing loss will be able to experience what many other people already enjoy - go to the cinema, watch the latest TV shows, learn from videos, and so on.

Wika Media Pte Ltd is a private company in Singapore with experience in mobile communications, IT and media. Wika has a companion content service (synchronised delivery of dub tracks, audio commentaries, foreign language subtitles, and so on.) and it hopes to continue to serve the larger hearing, deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Project QuietStorm

Problem Statement
Some wheelchair users face travel restrictions due to bulky and heavy motorised solutions in the market. As the current motorised solutions are above 25 kg, they are difficult to transport via vehicles and this severely limits wheelchairs users' transport options.

Solution
The project aims to develop a compact and portable motorised add-on, SPARK v2 — for wheelchair users to facilitate mobility and independence.
SPARK v2 is an enhancement from an earlier prototype SPARK v1 that was developed only for a specific wheelchair model. Besides being lightweight, SPARK v2’s development objectives include:
• an improved speed and ease of attaching/ detaching;
• flexibility to fit to different wheelchair designs;
• better product quality by ensuring minimum to zero maintenance needed in the first three years of product life; and
• low production cost to enable competitive pricing of about $1,500 per unit, thus making it significantly more affordable compared to existing counterparts ranging from the price of $3,000 and above.

Outcomes
SPARK v2 gives wheelchair users the freedom to travel via private and public transport, allowing them to live independent and productive lives.

More about grantee
Movinc designs everyday mobility aids for persons with disabilities, enabling them to live life to the fullest. The consequences of health and physical ability deterioration can leave an individual feeling fearful, useless or overwhelmed. Movinc is driven to resolve physical and social needs by providing mobility solutions that empower users with independence, and are especially helpful for family members who may have little to no experience in caring for an older person or one with disabilities.

Some wheelchair users face travel restrictions due to bulky and heavy motorised solutions in the market. As the current motorised solutions are above 25 kg, they are difficult to transport via vehicles and this severely limits wheelchairs users' transport options.

The project aims to develop a compact and portable motorised add-on, SPARK v2 — for wheelchair users to facilitate mobility and independence.

SPARK v2 is an enhancement from an earlier prototype SPARK v1 that was developed only for a specific wheelchair model. Besides being lightweight, SPARK v2’s development objectives include:

• an improved speed and ease of attaching/ detaching;

• flexibility to fit to different wheelchair designs;

• better product quality by ensuring minimum to zero maintenance needed in the first three years of product life; and

• low production cost to enable competitive pricing of about $1,500 per unit, thus making it significantly more affordable compared to existing counterparts ranging from the price of $3,000 and above.

SPARK v2 gives wheelchair users the freedom to travel via private and public transport, allowing them to live independent and productive lives.

Movinc designs everyday mobility aids for persons with disabilities, enabling them to live life to the fullest. The consequences of health and physical ability deterioration can leave an individual feeling fearful, useless or overwhelmed. Movinc is driven to resolve physical and social needs by providing mobility solutions that empower users with independence, and are especially helpful for family members who may have little to no experience in caring for an older person or one with disabilities.

SPARK by Movinc

Problem Statement
There is a gap between the capabilities of caregivers and the knowledge demanded of them to better and more effectively look after person with disabilities (PwDs). Furthermore, to acquire and retain knowledge requires time and effort that caregivers lack due to the disruptive nature of caregiving.
There is no lack of interest in wanting to know more about the “why” and “what” of autism and intellectual disabilities. Yet, the general knowledge taken from the Internet can be misleading and confusing. The gap is compounded further when there is no single, unified and effective social media analytics and management platform that connects caregivers and build collective knowledge and experiences as a local community.

Solution
The project aims to enhance the cognitive well-being and capabilities of caregivers, specifically caregivers for autistic and intellectually-disabled young persons, through the use of relevant, pragmatic and evidence-based interactive media content, micro-learning apps and social media analytical solution.
To empower caregivers, the project team will build a platform where curated and created interactive educational content would be packaged into micro-learning modules that are comprehensible and suitable for different learning preferences, as well as connect caregivers to learn, share, and build their knowledge and experiences. As the process to acquire the knowledge is manageable due to the fact that micro-learning modules allow learning to take place in bite-sized portions, caregivers would be motivated to continuously improve themselves with good retention and application of what they have learned. Click here to visit the website created for the project.

Outcomes
Caregivers would attain better cognitive wellness and capability as the knowledge gained will be relevant and useful in helping them better understand their care recipients and the circumstances they face. This will see caregivers gaining better control and management of care taking their care recipients. Furthermore, a connected community of caregivers enables collective exchange of knowledge and wisdom to take place.

More about grantee
The project team is led by Dr Ng Kian Bee (Nanyang Polytechnic) who is a neuroscientist by training, together with 2 other co-PIs: Dr Kee Ying Hwa (National Institute of Education) whose expertise lies in the area of sport psychology, motor control and learning, and research methods; and Dr Ong Say How (Institute of Mental Health) who is a child psychatrist and Chief of the Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Institute of Mental Health.

There is a gap between the capabilities of caregivers and the knowledge demanded of them to better and more effectively look after person with disabilities (PwDs). Furthermore, to acquire and retain knowledge requires time and effort that caregivers lack due to the disruptive nature of caregiving.

There is no lack of interest in wanting to know more about the “why” and “what” of autism and intellectual disabilities. Yet, the general knowledge taken from the Internet can be misleading and confusing. The gap is compounded further when there is no single, unified and effective social media analytics and management platform that connects caregivers and build collective knowledge and experiences as a local community.

The project aims to enhance the cognitive well-being and capabilities of caregivers, specifically caregivers for autistic and intellectually-disabled young persons, through the use of relevant, pragmatic and evidence-based interactive media content, micro-learning apps and social media analytical solution.

To empower caregivers, the project team will build a platform where curated and created interactive educational content would be packaged into micro-learning modules that are comprehensible and suitable for different learning preferences, as well as connect caregivers to learn, share, and build their knowledge and experiences. As the process to acquire the knowledge is manageable due to the fact that micro-learning modules allow learning to take place in bite-sized portions, caregivers would be motivated to continuously improve themselves with good retention and application of what they have learned. Click here to visit the website created for the project.

Caregivers would attain better cognitive wellness and capability as the knowledge gained will be relevant and useful in helping them better understand their care recipients and the circumstances they face. This will see caregivers gaining better control and management of care taking their care recipients. Furthermore, a connected community of caregivers enables collective exchange of knowledge and wisdom to take place.

The project team is led by Dr Ng Kian Bee (Nanyang Polytechnic) who is a neuroscientist by training, together with 2 other co-PIs: Dr Kee Ying Hwa (National Institute of Education) whose expertise lies in the area of sport psychology, motor control and learning, and research methods; and Dr Ong Say How (Institute of Mental Health) who is a child psychatrist and Chief of the Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Institute of Mental Health.

Better Carer

Problem Statement
With businesses turning to technology and menial jobs slowly phasing out, disadvantaged individuals who experience difficulties accessing keyboard and mouse due to their disabilities face potential employment constraints ie. data entry jobs.
As businesses are turning towards productivity and technology, menial jobs are phasing out. More data entry and digitisation jobs are required. Approximately 25% of the disadvantaged individuals at VWOs providing employment services eg. Bizlink, are unable to find suitable work which fits their beneficiaries' level of skills and ability and about 70% of these beneficiaries have difficulty acquiring new skills.

Solution
To develop a single key stroke prototype device, One Click, that empowers persons with disabilities to overcome challenges in executing multiple key strokes via conventional keyboard and mouse.
To develop an assisstive device that complements a QWERTY keyboard for computer input, it allows users to configure multiple keystrokes, e.g. “CTRL+ALT+ENTRY” as a single key stroke. Users are only required to press a single button to execute multiple keystrokes. Device can plug and play with no manual installation of driver or custom software required after one time configuration. In addition, One Click emulates mouse movement using button clicks, empowering persons with disabilities who find it difficult to use mouse. It is designed to have big, bright and colourful buttons with LED backlights and all buttons are configurable according to users' needs.

Outcomes
One Click aims to enable and empower persons with disabilities with difficulties with fine motor skills to take up technology related employment opportunities that requires keyboard and mouse control, as menial jobs are phasing out.

More about grantee
ITE College West Technology Development Centre was established in 2009. It provides a platform to widen industry partnership and engagement for mutual benefits and is a one-stop technology centre undertaking industry projects and spearheading cutting-edge R&D projects to support partners and Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in adopting technology to develop their innovative ideas.

With businesses turning to technology and menial jobs slowly phasing out, disadvantaged individuals who experience difficulties accessing keyboard and mouse due to their disabilities face potential employment constraints ie. data entry jobs.

As businesses are turning towards productivity and technology, menial jobs are phasing out. More data entry and digitisation jobs are required. Approximately 25% of the disadvantaged individuals at VWOs providing employment services eg. Bizlink, are unable to find suitable work which fits their beneficiaries' level of skills and ability and about 70% of these beneficiaries have difficulty acquiring new skills.

To develop a single key stroke prototype device, One Click, that empowers persons with disabilities to overcome challenges in executing multiple key strokes via conventional keyboard and mouse.

To develop an assisstive device that complements a QWERTY keyboard for computer input, it allows users to configure multiple keystrokes, e.g. “CTRL+ALT+ENTRY” as a single key stroke. Users are only required to press a single button to execute multiple keystrokes. Device can plug and play with no manual installation of driver or custom software required after one time configuration. In addition, One Click emulates mouse movement using button clicks, empowering persons with disabilities who find it difficult to use mouse. It is designed to have big, bright and colourful buttons with LED backlights and all buttons are configurable according to users' needs.

One Click aims to enable and empower persons with disabilities with difficulties with fine motor skills to take up technology related employment opportunities that requires keyboard and mouse control, as menial jobs are phasing out.

ITE College West Technology Development Centre was established in 2009. It provides a platform to widen industry partnership and engagement for mutual benefits and is a one-stop technology centre undertaking industry projects and spearheading cutting-edge R&D projects to support partners and Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in adopting technology to develop their innovative ideas.

One Click (Assistive Device for Computer Input)

Problem Statement
Special education students were not able to excel and fully benefit from the current fragmented and laborious Individual Education Plan (IEP).
The lack of an integrated and intelligent platform to provide timely information and insights to implement special education effectively resulted in existing programmes and curriculum not able to uncover individuals' maximum potential.  
Individuals with special needs are unable to acheive higher level of personal self-sufficiency and success in school, social and employment settings as a result of a typical classroom education.

Solution
To provide a student development system for teachers, allied health professionals, and job coaches to cooperate and establish collective understanding of students’ needs.
The system will allow allied educators and other stakeholders to work towards enhanced learning, better social integration and employment opportunities for the persons with disabilities. With the system capturing and analyzing the students’ profiles and needs, they will be recommended for suitable pathways that will offer them the necessary social programs and relevent employment opportunities of interest.

Outcomes
To improve effectiveness of IEP and curriculum development so as to promote student's optimal indepence in the community and workspace.

More about grantee
Trampolene is a research & technology non-profit organisation set up under A*star that provides solutions to bring about change and positive impact to the lives of the underprivileged, disadvantaged and vulnerable. Established in 2016, Trampolene comprises of a team of data scientists, computer engineers, psychologists, behaviour scientists, biologists and medical professionals.

Special education students were not able to excel and fully benefit from the current fragmented and laborious Individual Education Plan (IEP).

The lack of an integrated and intelligent platform to provide timely information and insights to implement special education effectively resulted in existing programmes and curriculum not able to uncover individuals' maximum potential.  

Individuals with special needs are unable to acheive higher level of personal self-sufficiency and success in school, social and employment settings as a result of a typical classroom education.

To provide a student development system for teachers, allied health professionals, and job coaches to cooperate and establish collective understanding of students’ needs.

The system will allow allied educators and other stakeholders to work towards enhanced learning, better social integration and employment opportunities for the persons with disabilities. With the system capturing and analyzing the students’ profiles and needs, they will be recommended for suitable pathways that will offer them the necessary social programs and relevent employment opportunities of interest.

To improve effectiveness of IEP and curriculum development so as to promote student's optimal indepence in the community and workspace.

Trampolene is a research & technology non-profit organisation set up under A*star that provides solutions to bring about change and positive impact to the lives of the underprivileged, disadvantaged and vulnerable. Established in 2016, Trampolene comprises of a team of data scientists, computer engineers, psychologists, behaviour scientists, biologists and medical professionals.

Student Education Management System (STEMS) for Special Education Schools

Problem Statement
Students with special needs face many barriers to learning due to their lack of access to experiential learning opportunities in safe environments. 
As their cognitive and emotional well-being tend to be more easily affected by changes in their environments, it can be challenging to organise field trips, overseas expeditions or educational tours for them. 

Solution
The project by Digital Dream aims to provide experiential learning opportunities for students with special needs in a digital environment that is safe, calming and motivational. 
Through software-controlled projection techniques on walls and floors, users can be immersed in virtual environments and interact with the projections. The system allows schools to easily build content (scenes, questions, etc) and touch points (with information, answers, etc) for their students, even without programming skills. This technology can thus help students with disabilities to gain first-hand experience of real life situations in a safe, calming, yet stimulating learning experience. 
SPED schools will also be able to use this technology to create more effective, sustainable and cost-effective programmes for their students. 

Outcomes
Digital Dream will help level up the opportunities available to students with special needs, and use empowered experiential learning to bring positive changes to their moods, concentration and behaviour. This would enable them to improve their cognitive, psychological and emotional well-being and gain self-confidence. 



Inspired by Digital Dream’s solution? Click here to find out how you can apply for the grant!


Students with special needs face many barriers to learning due to their lack of access to experiential learning opportunities in safe environments. 

As their cognitive and emotional well-being tend to be more easily affected by changes in their environments, it can be challenging to organise field trips, overseas expeditions or educational tours for them. 

The project by Digital Dream aims to provide experiential learning opportunities for students with special needs in a digital environment that is safe, calming and motivational. 

Through software-controlled projection techniques on walls and floors, users can be immersed in virtual environments and interact with the projections. The system allows schools to easily build content (scenes, questions, etc) and touch points (with information, answers, etc) for their students, even without programming skills. This technology can thus help students with disabilities to gain first-hand experience of real life situations in a safe, calming, yet stimulating learning experience. 

SPED schools will also be able to use this technology to create more effective, sustainable and cost-effective programmes for their students. 

Digital Dream will help level up the opportunities available to students with special needs, and use empowered experiential learning to bring positive changes to their moods, concentration and behaviour. This would enable them to improve their cognitive, psychological and emotional well-being and gain self-confidence. 

Inspired by Digital Dream’s solution? Click 

 to find out how you can apply for the grant!

A Digital Dream to Level Up Learning and Experiential Opportunities for Students with Special Needs (A Digital Dream)

Problem Statement
Limited contact time with therapists and lack of hand-based rehabiilitative systems locally, resulting in slower recovery of hand function after stroke.
The current hand rehabilitative systems are expensive and not accessible to home-based stroke patients. In addition, the Telerehab system provided by IHiS lacks hand rehabilitative capabilities.
The intelligent system that the project aims to develop will enable therapists to engage, guide and track hand exercises of patients independently, allowing therapists to see more patients concurrently and also reducing the workload on caregivers, and address the issue of therapists shortages and the high PwDs-to-caregiver ratio.

Solution
To develop a mobile-health (m-Health) based Hand Rehabilitation System that can accurately track, guide and monitor rehabilitative exercises of patients towards recovery.
The system incorporates fun and interactive simulations for different degree of disabilities. It also integrates the use of commercially available infra-red cameras, mobile application and machine learning to improve the hand motor function recovery of the persons with disabilities and stroke patients, and in turn allows them to perform their Activities of Daily Living (ADL) better. The system will ultimately help caregivers alleviate their burden by allowing the rehabilitative training to be done at home.

Outcomes
Provide an engaging system that complements existing rehabilitative programme to accelerate recovery of Persons with Disabilities and alleviate the supervision and workload of their caregivers.

More about grantee
Established in 1981, the Institute of Systems Science at National University of Singapore (NUS-ISS) provides graduate education, professional development courses, consultancy and research services. NUS-ISS objectives are to develop infocomm leaders, and drive business and organisation innovation.

Limited contact time with therapists and lack of hand-based rehabiilitative systems locally, resulting in slower recovery of hand function after stroke.

The current hand rehabilitative systems are expensive and not accessible to home-based stroke patients. In addition, the Telerehab system provided by IHiS lacks hand rehabilitative capabilities.

The intelligent system that the project aims to develop will enable therapists to engage, guide and track hand exercises of patients independently, allowing therapists to see more patients concurrently and also reducing the workload on caregivers, and address the issue of therapists shortages and the high PwDs-to-caregiver ratio.

To develop a mobile-health (m-Health) based Hand Rehabilitation System that can accurately track, guide and monitor rehabilitative exercises of patients towards recovery.

The system incorporates fun and interactive simulations for different degree of disabilities. It also integrates the use of commercially available infra-red cameras, mobile application and machine learning to improve the hand motor function recovery of the persons with disabilities and stroke patients, and in turn allows them to perform their Activities of Daily Living (ADL) better. The system will ultimately help caregivers alleviate their burden by allowing the rehabilitative training to be done at home.

Provide an engaging system that complements existing rehabilitative programme to accelerate recovery of Persons with Disabilities and alleviate the supervision and workload of their caregivers.

Established in 1981, the Institute of Systems Science at National University of Singapore (NUS-ISS) provides graduate education, professional development courses, consultancy and research services. NUS-ISS objectives are to develop infocomm leaders, and drive business and organisation innovation.

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