用户名/邮箱
登录密码
验证码
看不清?换一张
您好,欢迎访问! [ 登录 | 注册 ]
您的位置:首页 - 最新资讯
From board games to accessibility guides, how these youth-led solutions are promoting inclusion
2024-03-28 00:00:00.0     海峡时报-新加坡     原网页

       

       Singapore Polytechnic student Alicia Hong, 19, is often approached by her parents and grandparents for help with using digital tools and platforms.

       “They would come to me with things like ‘How do I do this PayNow thing?’ or ‘Is this email a scam or not?’,” says the design for communication and experience student.

       Their recurring questions led to helplessness. “I thought that if they had to come to me each time for help, I was not solving the root problem,” says Ms Hong. “I wanted to do more to help but I didn't know how.”

       Last February, a school project on tackling issues in society helped her to look at problems from a user’s perspective. She took it as an opportunity to focus on digital inclusion for seniors.

       While there were existing initiatives and guides to help seniors, Ms Hong was exploring more effective ways to teach digital literacy. “We wanted to do something different and make it fun at the same time.”

       Ms Hong, along with two friends, came up with the idea of developing physical board games that would teach the elderly how to use digital payments and identify online scams.

       For example, to spend credits in the game, players have to use an accompanying mobile app that mimics real-life interfaces. Ms Hong adds that it was a way to familiarise the elderly with digital payments without using real money.

       Catch up on the news that everyone’s talking about

       Thank you!

       Sign up

       By signing up, I accept SPH Media's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy as amended from time to time.

       Yes, I would also like to receive SPH Media Group's SPH Media Limited, its related corporations and affiliates as well as their agents and authorised service providers.

       marketing and promotions.

       The team also developed a board game on scams; players consider various scenarios and must identify which ones are scams to progress in the game.

       Why choose board games? It is an approachable format for seniors, to learn at their own pace and in a comfortable setting, says Ms Hong.

       She feels that a traditional classroom setting may not work for all seniors, citing language barriers and a fear of embarrassment.

       “They prefer to learn with their friends and family, so they can play as many times as they need to get the hang of it.”

       Spurring innovation

       Positive feedback from lecturers and family members led the team of five – with two new members – to join the Youth Action Challenge (YAC) last October to refine their project called Digi-Up!.

       The YAC is a four-month programme that offers mentorship and guidance from industry professionals, and up to $50,000 in grants, to help turn youth ideas into reality.

       The Digi-Up! team comprises (from left) Ms Phillicia Lim, Ms Alicia Hong, Mr Elton Li, Ms Sruti Mulupuri and Ms Charlotte Wong. PHOTO: NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL

       “We learnt a lot during the YAC, including how to price a mobile app that we want to develop for our games later on,” says Ms Hong.

       “Our mentor walked us through possible pricing models and, with his advice, we decided to go with a ‘freemium’ model where people can get the app for free, then pay for the online versions of our games,” she says. “This will allow users that worry about cost to still enjoy the experience.”

       The team also received the highest grant amount of $50,000, and will use it to manufacture the board games, conduct workshops to train seniors to teach their peers how to play the games, and host game nights at community centres.

       “Our goal is to help as many seniors as possible to be digitally savvy and comfortable using digital technologies,” she explains, adding that the team plans to officially launch both board games by November.

       Our goal is to help as many seniors as possible to be digitally savvy and comfortable using digital technologies.

       MS ALICIA HONG, team leader of Digi-Up! and YAC participant

       The team’s mentor is Mr Greg Tan, 42, co-founder and chief executive of social enterprise SG Assist, which supports the elderly, caregivers and others. “By promoting social connection and community engagement,” he says, “the board games can combat social isolation and boost overall well-being.

       “Digi-Up! could revolutionise how to approach digital literacy among older adults.”

       What is the Youth Action Challenge?

       Started in 2019, the YAC is part of the SG Youth Action Plan organised by the National Youth Council in collaboration with the Citi Foundation and United Nations Development Programme through their Youth Co:Lab initiative.

       More than 180 youth, aged 15 to 35, joined the latest edition last October to January. They pitched their ideas and concepts across four themes and sub-themes:

       Caring & Inclusive Society (Intergenerational Bonding, Caring for Caregivers) Food Security (Environment & Sustainability) Well-being & Resilience (Financial Literacy, Healthy Living) Digital Inclusion & Safety

       Over 1,000 youth in 300 teams have participated in the YAC’s past five seasons.

       A recently added component called the Participatory Budgeting Exercise, empowered the wider youth population to vote for projects that resonate the most with them. These votes determined which teams would get additional funding.

       More adventures for the less mobile

       Family outings are supposed to be a stress-free affair. But not so much for software consultant John Kwok, 31.

       Bringing his late grandparents out – both wheelchair-bound – entailed planning ahead and navigating routes that were a non-issue for the able-bodied.

       Even then, he says, such outings were reserved for special occasions such as birthdays. “We ended up going out to the same places that we knew were definitely wheelchair-accessible,” says Mr Kwok.

       “So to spend time with them, we’d usually just go to their house,” he adds.

       “I always felt like, what if they wanted to see something new? Or try something different? But the reality is that it can be quite tiring and difficult.”

       Keen to help caregivers and persons with disabilities (PWDs), he joined the YAC with his fiancee Rachel Tang, 27, an IT consultant, and two friends to develop an idea of creating accessibility guides, calling it Accessible Adventures.

       Accessible Adventures team members (from left) Mr David Boo Koh, Mr Benjamin Poh and Mr John Kwok. PHOTO: NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL

       “We wanted to create a website with lifestyle guides for PWDs, such as reviews of restaurants that rate their accessibility, and promote them through other channels.”

       Why join the YAC? Access to mentorship, guidance, and resources were key reasons that convinced the team to sign up. “Being part of the YAC also makes your project more credible to others you reach out to in the future.”

       Mr Kwok notes that the team received crucial advice and suggestions on being financially self-sustainable, such as doing affiliate marketing with wheelchair vendors, or working with businesses that want to be reviewed for positive publicity.

       Receiving a $50,000 grant, Mr Kwok and his teammates – one of whom is a wheelchair user – will bolster their guides and content, and provide incentives for caregivers and PWDs to test their guides.

       The team also plans to set up booths at events such as the Purple Parade – an annual event to support the inclusion of PWDs – to promote their work and content.

       “We hope that our project will make accessibility issues become part of the public consciousness,” says Mr Kwok.

       Mr Tan Ye Sheng, 35, an angel investor and the team’s mentor, says: “The team’s solution can make our society more equitable and inclusive. Hopefully, they can scale it regionally to the urban areas of our neighbouring countries too.”

       On the Youth Action Challenge, Mr Tan says: “It’s heartening to know there are youths who are working adults, who still take time to address such social issues with passion.”

       Taking ideas abroad

       Mr Vairavan Ramanathan, 28, found presenting his team’s work at the Youth Co:Lab Summit last year exhilarating.

       At the Youth Action Challenge’s (YAC) fourth season from October 2022 to January last year, his team pitched an initiative – Project Enigma – to tackle waste in the toy industry through toy rental services and workshops, among other methods.

       “Being able to share our humble work on a regional stage made me feel like a rock star. Peers from different nations saw our mission as a worthwhile endeavour,” says Mr Ramanathan, the executive director of Project Enigma.

       For Mr Ramanathan (above), the summit was a chance to meet passionate changemakers and social entrepreneurs from around the region. PHOTO: NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL

       He adds how the summit, in Bangkok, opened up opportunities for collaboration across borders, and the possibilities of consulting work and franchising with partners in the region.

       The overseas trip was made possible through the National Youth Council’s (NYC) partnership with the Youth Co:Lab initiative, co-created by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Citi Foundation.

       The initiative aims to establish a common agenda for Asia-Pacific nations to invest in and empower youth, to help meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

       “As a key partner, Youth Co:Lab supports the YAC by providing networks and access to funders and accelerator programmes locally and in the wider Asean region,” says Ms Karen Lee, director (Partnership Lab), NYC.

       As part of each YAC season, two teams are chosen to represent Singapore in the annual Youth Co:Lab summit.

       Ms Lee adds: “This provides them with the opportunity to network with fellow young changemakers in the region, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.”

       This was produced in partnership with the National Youth Council

       Unlock unlimited access to ST exclusive content, insights and analyses

       ST One Digital - Annual

       $9.90 $4.95 /month

       Get offer

       $59.40 for the first year and $118.80 per year thereafter.

       ST One Digital - Monthly

       29.90 $9.90 /month

       Subscribe today

       No lock-in contract

       Unlock more knowledge, unlock more benefits

       New feature: Stay up to date on important topics and follow your favourite writers with myST All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com Easy access any time via ST app on one mobile device

       Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

       YOUTH INCLUSION Entrepreneurs NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL Branded content

       Facebook Telegram More Whatsapp Linkedin Twitter FB Messenger Email Print Purchase Article Copy permalink https://str.sg/bKom

       Read this subscriber-only article for free!

       Just sign up for a free account and log in to continue reading.

       From board games to accessibility guides, how these youth-led solutions are promoting inclusion

       Sign up

       Already have an account? Log in.

       All done! This article is now fully available for you

       From board games to accessibility guides, how these youth-led solutions are promoting inclusion

       Read now

       Please verify your e-mail to read this subscriber-only article in full

       From board games to accessibility guides, how these youth-led solutions are promoting inclusion

       Resend verification e-mail

       The gift link for this subscriber-only article has expired.

       Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month for the first 3 months.

       Subscribe now

       You have reached your limit of subscriber-only articles this month.

       Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month for the first 3 months.

       Subscribe now

       Read and win!

       Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards

       Let's go! Terms & conditions apply

       Frequently asked questions

       Good job, you've read 3 articles today!

       Spin the wheel now

       Let's go! Terms & conditions apply

       Frequently asked questions

       


标签:综合
关键词: guides     seniors     games     Youth     board    
滚动新闻