Social Entrepreneur Series - Edutainment for inclusion [Community Participation]

Social Entrepreneur – Alan Lee

 

Sign language is the basic form of communication used by the hearing impaired (HI). Most people cannot read sign language, making it difficult for HI to communicate with the general public. Alan Lee, whose deceased mother was HI, understands the difficulties faced by HI well. Serious illness induced by cancer prohibited his mother from wearing any hearing aids, causing difficulties in her communication with medical personnel. "If the public know a little simple sign language, they can have better communication with HI and help reduce their anxieties and helplessness."

Inspired by his mother’s experience in hospital, Alan established Rubber Boy Academy with his knowledge in animation to produce a series of 3D "edutainment" (blending educational and entertainment elements) animation featuring the cartoon character "Rubber Boy", aiming to enhance mutual communication between the public and HI. Training courses on 3D animation design and production will be provided to assist HI to enjoy a better career development and remuneration.

"Even for persons without hearing impairment, there are times when gestures speak better than speech." Alan hopes "Rubber Boy" can change the public's perception of sign language, thus encouraging the public to learn while promoting social inclusion.

 

Innovative Venture – Rubber Boy Academy

The innovative venture mentioned above is funded by the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund and assisted and supported by the Fund’s intermediaries in project implementation.  The details of the innovative venture are as follows:

Name of Organisation: Rubber Boy Academy Limited

Service nature: Community Participation

Beneficiary group: Persons with disabilities

Project type: Prototype

Intermediary Programme: Impact Incubator

 

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What is Social Entrepreneur Series?

Stories of how other social entrepreneurs aspired to start their own business might facilitate your social innovation and entrepreneurship exploration.

A series of social entrepreneur stories will be featured and categorised into six sub-series: Education and Learning, Job Training and Opportunities, Community Participation, Healthcare, Food and Transport.  What you are going to read are stories of social entrepreneurs taking forward the startup projects that help themselves and others.