28 Oct 2017
On 28 October 2017, a 37-strong DSTA contingent participated in the Purple Parade march-past to show their support towards people with special needs and a more inclusive Singapore.
This year marks the fifth year of the Purple Parade, which is Singapore’s largest movement to support inclusion of people with special needs. Spearheaded by various organisations around Singapore, the initiative includes a campaign, concert, carnival and contingent.
The event started off with various performances including one by The Purple Symphony, Singapore’s largest inclusive orchestra comprising musicians with and without special needs.
Guest-of-honour President Halimah Yacob graced the event and led the first contingent march-past. Contingents from the various supporting organisations also came dressed in purple for the first ever 500m contingent march-past on the streets.
DSTA’s contingent comprised staff from various programme centres and corporate entities, including first-timers Senior Executive (Corporate Planning) Chua Mei Yee and Project Lead (Land Systems) Wilson Kwa.
“I think the parade is a fun way to raise awareness and support inclusion for the special needs community in Singapore,” shared Mei Yee.
Wilson added: “The most significant aspect of the event was seeing how individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds and sectors worked together to make the parade a reality. It was really heart-warming, and while the parade has ended, I hope this community spirit of supporting inclusion will go on.”