The Enabling Lives Festival (ELF) is back! Held in conjunction with International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the annual event is now in its third edition. For the first time, it will be held across Singapore, with over 54 local and international partners showcasing their collaborative efforts of persons with disabilities and their caregivers. This includes inclusive businesses, social enterprises and non-profit organisations.
The four-day festival will run from 30 November to 3 December 2023. It marks one of the highlights of SG Enable’s 10th anniversary celebrations, and centres around the theme of “Celebrating Inclusion and Abilities” anchored on three pillars — Celebrate, Collaborate and Champion.
What to Expect
This year’s programmes are a realisation of the wonderful ideas we received in our call for collaborations held in April, which welcomed proposals from many applicants. From sensory installations and immersive art to live performances, they aim to change public perceptions about persons with disabilities and inspire disability inclusion in learn, work or play settings.
Our exciting line-up of satellite programmes include sharing sessions, workshops, and performances, organised by our inclusive partners. Experiential activities such as Tour in the Dark by Dialogue in the Dark SG (DiDsg) and The Silent Experience by TOUCH Community Services offer visitors a unique experience by briefly stepping into the simulated world of people with visual and hearing impairments to gain deeper insights into their daily challenges and experiences.
Celebrate Different Abilities at Enabling Village
That’s not all — kick off the holiday season at the Enabling Village Open House Celebration on 2 December! Hosted by Senior Parliamentary Secretary (SPS) Mr Eric Chua, this day promises a diverse array of activities. Here are some highlights:
Join our special Open House Tours led by persons with disabilities that offer behind-the-scenes access to Enabling Village’s tenants.
Whet your appetite at our curated food street that showcases inclusive local F&B businesses such as Don8uri, MINDS, and Ashraf Café.
Enjoy musical performances by talented musicians with disabilities, and shop at the highly anticipated i’mable Gift Market, which will feature 27 participating makers showcasing and selling creations by persons with disabilities.
Meet your favourite Mediacorp artists at the Mediacorp Celebrities Charity Fair. Proceeds from the sale of celebrities’ pre-loved items and handmade creations will go towards the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund, which supports persons with disabilities.
Ending on a High Note
The festival will conclude on 3 December with a grand finale chorale performance of “Our Story” – a song commissioned by SG Enable and composed by award-winning conductor Dr Darius Lim of Voices of Singapore (VOS), to celebrate SG Enable’s 10 years of building an inclusive Singapore with its partners. The powerful anthem of inclusion will be performed by VOS’ Starlight Voices, a choir comprising talents with special needs, at Capitol Singapore, Outdoor Plaza.
More than just an event, ELF is an invitation for Singaporeans to come together to build a more inclusive society. Everyone is welcome, so bring your family and friends for a memorable weekend with our community. See you there!
Find out more about the festival and register for our programmes at https://enablinglivesfestival.sg/
