Yearly Updates

ECDA introduced an EIPIC-Care pilot, a training programme for caregivers of 2- to 3-year-olds with developmental needs. During the 6-month EIPIC-Care programme, caregivers will learn from professionals through group workshops and individual coaching sessions on how to support their child’s development.

In 2024, ECDA launched four more early intervention centres, and increased capacity by 1,500 places.

MOE has worked with Social Service Agencies to lower fees in nine SPED schools by up to 60%. About 3,500 Singaporean students in these nine SPED schools will be paying monthly fees of between $60 and $90 by July 2025, compared to between $72 and $150 previously.

From Jul 2024, MSF lowered the fee caps for Special Student Care Services. This benefits middle income families whose SSCC out-of-pocket expenses are reduced by up to 40%.

MOE launched the enhanced SPED Digital Literacy Curriculum in early 2024 to guide schools on integrating digital technology across the SPED curriculum for living, learning and working. It emphasises cyber wellness, aiming to equip students with skills to navigate cyberspace safely and responsibly. The curriculum is being implemented alongside the SPED Teaching and Learning Syllabuses, beginning with its integration into Daily Living Skills in 2024.

MOE launched the Numeracy and PE TLSs in October 2024, completing the roll out of TLSs for the 7 SPED Learning Domains which began in 2021.

The Numeracy TLS aims to develop numerate individuals who can access diverse life opportunities and contribute meaningfully to society. It focuses on building mathematical concepts, skills and problem-solving abilities relevant to everyday contexts. The syllabus emphasises enjoyable learning and foundational numeracy skills.

The PE TLS prepares students for lifelong physical activity through a holistic approach. It encourages collaboration among educators, professionals, families and the community. The syllabus guides schools in providing a comprehensive PE experience that develops students' physical, socio-emotional and cognitive skills, fostering confidence and regular participation in sports.

MOE will boost funding for SPED schools to raise salaries of SPED teachers and teacher aides, supporting a professional and competency-driven workforce. From 2024 to 2026, SPED classroom teachers may receive up to 12% salary increases, while TAs may see up to 15% increases. Starting salaries will also rise by up to 15% for SPED teachers and 17% for TAs from 2024. Additionally, MOE will collaborate with SPED schools to appoint a School Staff Developer in each school, enhancing professional development structures.

The School Partnerships (Gen Ed-SPED) programme, enhanced in 2023, fosters integration and professional exchange between General Education and SPED schools. Schools collaborate to improve staff capabilities through mutual learning, focusing on diverse student needs. For instance, MINDS Fernvale Gardens School shared behaviour support strategies with Fernvale Primary School, which reciprocated with case management processes. Their Student Development Teams jointly created social stories.

MOE aims to deepen and expand these partnerships, increasing interaction between Gen Ed and SPED students and staff, supporting an inclusive Singapore. As of August 2024, 23 out of 25 SPED schools have formed 34 partnerships with Gen Ed schools, with two more expected in 2025.

SG Enable launched the Enabling Skills and Competencies Framework (ESCF) in September 2024. With a common skills language, the ESCF empowers persons with disabilities in skills development and lifelong learning, guides application of skills in the workplace and community, and design of relevant training programmes.

The ESCF references MOE’s SPED Teaching and Learning Syllabus to provide continuity in lifelong learning, as well as SSG's Skills Frameworks for information on in-demand skills, employment and career pathways in various sectors.

For more information on the Enabling Skills and Competencies Framework, please visit Enabling Skills and Competencies Framework.

The EMP2030 Taskforce on Promoting Inclusive Employment Practices released its recommendations in September 2024.

1. Build up employers’ in-house capabilities to implement inclusive hiring practices, and expand the pool of inclusive hiring champions to advocate for inclusive hiring practices in target sectors. MSF and SG Enable will introduce a new Employer Development Grant, of up to $40,000 per employer. This is in addition to the existing Job Redesign Grant – of up to $20,000 per employee with disability – and Training Grant for employers under the Open Door Programme.

2. SG Enable will provide bridging efforts to curate and place job seekers in short-term assignments, or gig jobs. This will expand the number of job opportunities, and improve access and support for job seekers with disabilities to return to the workforce.

3. To uplift capabilities of job coaches. SG Enable launched the Job Coach Career Map, outlining career progression pathways and competencies within the Enabling Skills and Competencies Framework.

You may read the full report on Taskforce on Promoting Inclusive Employment Practices Taskforce on Promoting Inclusive Employment Practices Report.

The Place-and-Train (PnT) programme for persons with disabilities was extended for another two years. This will support the employment placement and training of another 200 persons with disabilities by 2026.

The EMP2030 Taskforce for Community Living for Persons with Disabilities released its recommendations in September 2024:

1. Enhance community-based services: MSF and SG Enable to review the Home-Based Behavioural Intervention Service (HBIS), Day Activity Centres (DAC), and Sheltered Workshop (SW) programmes to provide a continuous development pathways for persons with disability with higher support needs to acquire and maintain independent living and vocational skills.

2. Expand community living options for persons with disabilities: MSF and SG Enable to pilot the Enabled Living Programme (ELP) pilot in 2025, a new community living model to support adult persons with disabilities with low to moderate support needs to continue living in the community for as long as possible.

3. Improve care planning and coordination for persons with disabilities through life stages: MSF, MOE, and SG Enable will work with other agencies and disability and caregiver organisations to develop a sector-level person- and family-centred planning framework and processes to better support persons with disabilities and their caregivers in identifying and updating their goals and plans, and activating support from the family, community and services, across life stages.

You may read the full report on Taskforce on Community Living for Persons with Disabilities Taskforce on Community Living for Persons with Disabilities Report.

1. Respite: SG Enable's 'Take-A-Break' (TAB) home-based respite programme, launched in July 2020, resumed in April 2024. Caregivers can choose from various home-based services.

2. Future Care Planning: SG Enable and MINDS launched the FutureReady portal in early 2024, serving as the primary Future Care Planning (FCP) resource for caregivers and sector professionals.

3. Caregiver Learning Roadmap: Introduced by SG Enable in November 2023, this personalised tool on the Enabling Guide website helps caregivers identify necessary skills and knowledge throughout their caregiving journey, based on disability profile, specific areas, or experience stage.

For persons with disabilities who require dedicated transport to commute to SPED schools and community-based programmes, MSF increased the Enabling Transport Subsidy (ETS) from 1 April 2024. 50% of persons with disabilities receiving the ETS have seen a reduction in their out-of-pocket transport fees by 10% or more.

1. Accessible changing rooms: Being installed at new MRT stations, bus interchanges, and Integrated Transport Hubs since November 2022. Seven existing bus interchanges identified for upgrades as of August 2024.

2. Tactile and Braille signs: Installed on handrails in all new Thomson-East Coast Line stations.

3. Enhanced bus inclusivity: 1,700 buses equipped with inclusive features by July 2024. 98% of bus stops are barrier-free, with remainder to be completed by 2025, barring site constraints.

4. Hearing Enhancement System (HES): Installed at Passenger Service Centres in TEL stations and new bus interchanges. To be included in all future MRT stations and upgraded interchanges.

5. Pedestrian crossing enhancements: Over 1,000 Green Man+ crossings as of July 2024, with 1,500 more by 2027. 325 crossings to have 24/7 on-demand audible signals by 2025.

1. Heart Zones: Three new zones launched between November 2023 and July 2024, totaling 18 zones across 16 locations. These Heart Zones serve as spaces where people can facilitate assistance to fellow commuters who require help in their public transport journey.

2. Travel Makers Programme: A partnership with MINDS and Youth Corps Singapore to support students with intellectual disabilities to commute independently on public transport with the support of volunteers. Pilot was launched in July 2023 with two MINDS schools, and expanded to two more MINDS schools in 2024.

3. Caring Commuters Assist Readily with Empathy (CARE) Bus: Launched in 2022 by Go-Ahead Singapore and Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore, to increase awareness of the needs and challenges faced by persons with disabilities during their public transport commute, and encourage commuters to render assistance in an appropriate and safe manner. Tower Transit Singapore unveiled two new CARE buses sporting artwork by SPED school’ students in April 2024.

4. CARE Ride @ South West: Partnership across various transport and community agencies, to encourage inter-generational bonding and empathy for senior commuters.

5. Caring Commuter Champion e-Learning course: Launched in January 2022, to train volunteers to assist commuters with mobility needs on public transport, and be certified as a Caring Commuter Champion. As of August 2024, more than 16,000 volunteers have completed the training.

6. Ground up initiatives to promote a caring commuting culture. Public Transport Council partnered with diverse organisations to promote an inclusive and caring public transport culture in Singapore. The collaboration includes a photo exhibition showcasing inclusivity efforts and student-led projects raising awareness of vulnerable commuters' needs, to educate the public on supporting fellow passengers.

In 2023 and 2024, SG Enable partnered with various corporations to create a more inclusive community for persons with disabilities, enabling them to access and participate in a wider range of activities. Some of the initiatives are as follows:

1. Since May 2023, SG Enable has been partnering Frasers Property Singapore to introduce an industry-first Inclusions Champions Programme geared towards creating more inclusive spaces and experiences for members of the community who have different needs. From 10 participating brands in 2023, the programme has since tripled the number of Inclusion Champions to 31 brands across 104 stores in 2024.

2. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SG Enable, MSF and Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) was signed on 30th September 2023, to create fair employment and social opportunities for persons with disabilities and ComLink families. SDC and its Island Partners will leverage on SG Enable’s programmes to train their staff to build inclusive workplaces, as well as provide mentorship, internship, and employment and business opportunities for persons with disabilities and ComLink families. The Sentosa Wheel Venture Accessibility Tour, a five-hours tour for wheelchair users to visit various attraction was introduced in May 2024. Additionally, the trial of Singapore first accessible beach track at Siloso Beach was completed in October 2024.

3. A MoU between SG Enable and Science Centre Board was signed on 28th March 2024, to promote inclusive STEM learning for all Singaporeans, and to make Science Centre's spaces, exhibits, and facilities more sensory-friendly and accessible. Science Centre’s staff also attended training by SG Enable to better engage visitors with different needs.

4. A MoU between SG Enable and Ascott was signed on 20th June 2024, to enhance inclusive stay experiences and promote workforce diversity. The partnership will develop disability inclusion training at Ascott's global training centre, benefiting the wider hospitality sector.

5. SG Enable partnered IKEA on accessibility during the refurbishment of its Alexandra store, which reopened in August 2024. As part of the launch, IKEA featured a house setting demonstrating how accessibility can be seamlessly integrated into home furnishing.

Following successful engagement with SingHealth Office of Patient Experience (OPE) on the importance of considering the experiences of patients with disabilities, SG Enable facilitated a panel discussion on the lived experiences, challenges and possible solutions in disability-inclusive healthcare practices at the Singapore Healthcare Management conference held in Aug 2024 to raise awareness and advocate for more inclusive healthcare services.

Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) formalised expectations in guidelines for insurers to carry out objective assessments of applications by customers, including persons with disabilities, based on relevant and reliable information or data.

There are ongoing efforts to improve accessibility and encourage sport participation amongst persons with disabilities.

To-date, SportSG has retrofitted eight ActiveSG swimming pools with ramps for wheelchairs. By the end of 2025, ramps will be added to two more swimming complexes as part of ActiveSG’s rejuvenation plans.

SportSG has also equipped eight ActiveSG gyms with inclusive facilities and is on track to make all 27 ActiveSG gyms inclusive by 2026.

In November 2024, MCCY announced recommendations for the updated Disability Sports Master Plan. These recommendations aim to:

1. Increase accessibility to disability sports activities and programmes

2. Enhance awareness of disability sports and inclusive sports activities

3. Fulfil aspirations of persons with disabilities who desire and have the potential to compete at a high-performance level

These initiatives align with the recently announced Kallang Alive Masterplan, which includes the new Home of TeamSG (HTSG).

The vision for disability sports in Singapore is to engage, enrich, and empower more persons with disabilities through sports.

For more information on the Disability Sports Master Plan, please visit Disability Sports Master Plan.

SG Enable signed an MoU with Esplanade in April 2023, becoming Esplanade's inclusion partner. In this role, SG Enable will facilitate social service agencies in sharing the access needs of persons with disabilities with Esplanade. Additionally, SG Enable will provide consultation on inclusive programming through Relaxed Performances, enhance physical accessibility of facilities, and improve e-accessibility for digital platforms. This includes prototype testing for Esplanade's website to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA.

Cultural facilities in Singapore are continuously improved for accessibility and inclusivity. Key developments include:

1. Wheelchair access and other features for people with disabilities (PwDs) in major institutions, museums, and performance spaces.

2. Access guides for PwDs provided by National Gallery Singapore, Esplanade, and National Museum of Singapore.

3. Assisted Listening devices supported in some of Esplanade's indoor venues since April 2024.

Some of the ongoing partnerships and initiatives are as follows:

1. Singapore Art Museum (SAM): Expanded Touch Collection outreach to various PwD groups, and held 25 SAM Touch Collection Workshops in the past year.

2. Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM): Continued partnership with Dialogue in the Dark Singapore in 2024. Developed special touch tours for the Manila Galleon exhibition, and had tours led by trained ACM docents using five specially designed tactile boards.

3. Esplanade: 'Dance for Joy' project for youths with autism and their caregivers, and collaboration with SSAs to bring PwDs to ticketed and non-ticketed events.

4. National Arts Council (NAC): Supported 76 projects across SPED schools through Artist-in-School Scheme (2022-2024). Partnered with ART:DIS to deliver five projects with instructor-training opportunities in three SPED schools in 2024.

These efforts are complemented by ground-up inclusive initiatives from arts and heritage practitioners and companies.

There are ongoing efforts to provide PwDs with more opportunities in the sector. Our cultural institutions also present programmes that showcase the craft of PwD practitioners, as well as capability development workshops that cater to varied abilities.

In 2024, NAC partnered with ART:DIS and SMRT to launch the PwD Busking Scheme at 19 MRT stations. This provided buskers with disabilities dedicated busking venues and access support (such as orienting buskers around the busking space).

In the 2024 edition of da:ns focus Everybody presented by Esplanade, PwDs had the opportunity to participate in workshops that were wheelchair accessible, and Singapore Sign Language interpreted, conducted by Australia’s leading inclusive dance company Restless Dance Theatre.

SG Enable’s iChamps (Inclusion Champions), who are volunteers with disabilities have continued to advocate for disability inclusion at the various events that they participated in. In 2024, their involvement ranges from guest speaking at the Pangdemonium’s “Falling” Post-show talk session to share more about autism, to participating as panellists at a fireside chat during the MSF Volunteer Festival to share about digital accessibility for persons with disabilities.

These platforms encourage greater community integration with more awareness and understanding of disability inclusion.

Public Education aims to transform Singaporeans from amateurs to appreciative individuals and ultimately to advocates for disability inclusion. SG Enable's i'mable movement focuses on learn, work, live, and play modes for persons with disabilities and the general public, targeting schools, workplaces, and communities.

1. Enabling Lives Festival: The Enabling Lives Festival is a signature event started in 2020 to rally stakeholders, corporates, philanthropies, and the community, to come together to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December. In Dec 2023, the festival attracted approximately 3,000 attendees and achieved an estimated 1 million in media reach.

2. Showcase of Artwork and Disability-Inclusion Message at National Day Parades: Since 2020, SG Enable has collaborated with NDP EXCO to feature artworks by persons with disabilities on NDP collaterals. In 2024, they partnered with Temenggong Artists-In-Residence to create six artworks with 40 student artists from 22 SPED schools for NDP packs. At NDP 2024, “Our Story”, a commissioned song to celebrate a decade of enabling inclusion, was also performed by an inclusive choir, Voices of Singapore, at NDP2024.

3. Public Education Funding to Support Ground Up Inclusive Programmes and Activities: From 2021 to 2023, Public Education funded 25 projects in schools, workplaces, and community setting, to build positive mindset among public towards persons with disabilities and create opportunities and platforms for meaningful interactions with the disability community. From 2024, the focus has shifted to empowering communities and fostering action through collaboration with persons with disabilities. For FY2024, there are eight ground-up inclusive initiatives planned.