Lawyer on mission to advocate for those with invisible disabilities

Veteran lawyer Peggy Yee's passion to advocate for people with invisible disabilities - such as autism spectrum disorder and mental illnesses - was ignited around 30 years ago during a criminal trial when she assisted in the defence of a young man who displayed atypical social behaviour.

- Claudia Tan

The man, who was in his 20s, was facing charges for importing bomb components. Throughout the trial, Ms Yee noticed something amiss - the man did not seem to understand the gravity of the offences he was accused of, and eventually found guilty of.

Even now, she remembers feeling very helpless at the time as the man was led away from the court to begin his prison sentence, because she felt that more could have been done to help him.

After almost two decades of campaigning for people with mental health conditions, autism, intellectual disabilities and other invisible needs, Ms Yee's efforts came to fruition in March.

The Ministry of Law committed to a multi-agency task force to support individuals with invisible disabilities within the justice system, announced then Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong at the inaugural Access to Justice Symposium, where Ms Yee chaired the organising committee.

Mr Tong had said: "There is not much point in being a first-class legal system if the members of society that it is meant to serve are unable to access it, unable to claim justice and unable to use the system."

Ms Yee is a finalist of The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year award, which is given to a Singaporean or group of citizens who have made a significant contribution to society.