Disability Services and Support in Singapore

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Singapore's disability services ecosystem is coordinated through SG Enable, the national focal agency for disability established in 2013 by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). The system covers the full lifespan — from early intervention for infants, through special education and vocational training, to adult care and employment support. Singapore's Enabling Masterplan 2030 (EMP2030) contains 29 recommendations across three strategic themes: strengthening lifelong learning, enabling independent living, and creating inclusive environments.

As of 2025, there are over 22 government-funded SPED schools, multiple early intervention centres, day activity centres, sheltered workshops, and adult disability homes. SG Enable serves as the "first stop" for persons with disabilities (physical, sensory, intellectual disabilities, and autism) and their caregivers.

SG ENABLE — NATIONAL AGENCY FOR DISABILITY

SG Enable is the focal agency for disability in Singapore, a registered charity and Institution of a Public Character. It coordinates information, referral, employment support, assistive technology, and transport subsidies.

Key services:

• Information and referral via the Enabling Guide portal (enablingguide.sg)
• Central referral for early intervention programmes (EIPIC)
• Job placement and employment support
• Assistive Technology Fund administration
• Enabling Transport Subsidy
• Persons with Disabilities Concession Card
• Training and consultancy via the Enabling Academy

Enabling Village — An inclusive community space at 20 Lengkok Bahru housing SG Enable's offices, social enterprises, and services including the i'mable Collective Space and an Information and Career Centre.

Contact:

• Infoline: 1800-8585-885
• Email: contactus@sgenable.sg
• Address: 20 Lengkok Bahru, Singapore 159053 (near Redhill MRT)
• Hours: Weekdays 9am–5:30pm
• Website: www.sgenable.sg
• Enabling Guide: www.enablingguide.sg

EARLY INTERVENTION

EIPIC (Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children)

Launched in 2005, EIPIC supports children under 7 who require medium to high levels of early intervention. Administered by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and MSF. All referrals go through SG Enable as the central referral agency.

Fees: Out-of-pocket fees for Singapore Citizens range from $5 to $430 per month, depending on monthly household per capita income.

Key EIPIC providers:

Development Support-Learning Support (DS-LS) Programme

Short-term intervention delivered within mainstream preschools for children with mild developmental needs (learning difficulties, speech/language delays, behavioural issues). Learning Support Educators work one-to-one or in small groups. Being expanded to about 900 preschools with Inclusion Coordinators in ~90% of preschools under EMP2030.

SPECIAL EDUCATION (SPED) SCHOOLS

The Ministry of Education (MOE) funds and oversees SPED schools, run by social service agencies. There are currently 22+ government-funded SPED schools run by 12 social service agencies, serving approximately 9,000 students with projected expansion to 12,000 by the early 2030s.

Schools by disability type:

Autism Spectrum Disorder:

• Pathlight School (Ang Mo Kio & Tampines campuses) — run by Autism Resource Centre; Tel: 6459 9951
• Eden School — moderate to severe autism, ages 7–18; run by Autism Resource Centre
• St. Andrew's Autism School (Marine Parade)
• Pathlight School 3 (Punggol)

Intellectual Disability:

• APSN — Chaoyang School, Katong School, Tanglin School, Delta Senior School (ages 7–21)
• MINDS — Fernvale Gardens School (Tel: 6481 6697), Lee Kong Chian Gardens School (Tel: 6473 8332), Towner Gardens School, Woodlands Gardens School
• Metta School — mild intellectual disability and/or ASD, ages 7–21
• Grace Orchard School — 170 West Coast Road

Multiple Disabilities:

• CPAS School East & West — moderate to severe multiple disabilities; Tel: 6585 5640

Hearing Impairment:

• Canossian School — ages 7–14, delivers mainstream primary curriculum, prepares for PSLE

Visual and Hearing Impairment:

• Lighthouse School — the only SPED school for children with visual impairment and hearing loss, ages 7–18

Full list: www.moe.gov.sg/special-educational-needs/sped-schools

ADULT DISABILITY SERVICES

Day Activity Centres (DACs)

For persons with disabilities aged 16+ with higher support needs who cannot take up open employment. Provide care and skills training in daily living and community living.

Key operators: AWWA, MINDS, CPAS, Metta, Singapore Red Cross, Bizlink, SUN-DAC, THK, Blue Cross Thong Kheng

Sheltered Workshops

Vocational training for persons with moderate support needs. Trainees earn allowances and work full-day, five days a week.

Residential Services (Adult Disability Homes)

Long-term residential care for adults with disabilities who cannot live independently and whose caregivers cannot provide support. Admission as a last resort.

Key providers:

• Red Cross Home for the Disabled (RCHD) — low to moderate/severe intellectual and/or physical disabilities
• MINDS MINDSville@Napiri — adults with intellectual disability age 19+
• St. Andrew's Adult Home (SAAH) — Singapore's first purpose-built residential facility for persons with autism; www.saac.org.sg/saah
• Metta Home for the Disabled — adults with intellectual disabilities aged 18–55
• THK Home @ Eunos and @ Jurong East — persons with intellectual disabilities
• Autism Resource Centre — Residential Support Division — adults on the autism spectrum

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT

Enabling Employment Credit (EEC)

Wage offset for employers hiring persons with disabilities aged 13+ earning below $4,000/month. Additional offset for first 9 months if the person has not been employed for the past 6 months. Extended until 2028.

Open Door Programme (ODP)

Government-funded initiative by MSF and Workforce Singapore, administered by SG Enable:

• Job Redesign Grant — workplace modifications and equipment
• Training Grant — course fee support for employers
• Recruitment, job placement, and job support services

SG Enable Job Placement and Job Support (JPJS)

Job matching and job coaching for up to 12 months. Partners include APSN, Autism Resource Centre, MINDS, SPD, Enabling Business Hub, and Ingeus. Contact: employment@sgenable.sg

Social Enterprises Employing Persons with Disabilities

• Bizlink Centre — 6 social enterprises; www.bizlink.org.sg
• SPD Artisan Collab — book-making, leather-crafting
• Arts@Metta and Metta Cafe — life skills for special needs youths
• Autism Resource Centre E2C — adults on the autism spectrum

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Assistive Technology Fund (ATF)

Up to 90% subsidy on assistive technology devices, with a lifetime cap of $40,000. Covers wheelchairs, hearing aids, and devices for education, employment, therapy, rehabilitation, and daily living.

From January 2026: monthly per capita household income eligibility threshold increased from $2,600 to $4,800.

How to apply: Through a therapist or social worker from a public hospital or social service agency. Processing takes up to 15 working days.

Contact: SG Enable at 1800-8585-885 or contactus@sgenable.sg

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

TRANSPORT

PWD Concession Card

Up to 55% off adult public transport fares. No additional fares beyond 7.2km. Monthly passes available. Apply via SG Enable.

Handicaps Welfare Association (HWA) Transport

• Dial-A-Ride: $42.50 one-way; peak-hour surcharge $3.00
• Taxi Subsidy Scheme: Subsidised taxi for work and education

Enabling Transport Subsidy

Up to 80% subsidy on transport fees. PCHI ≤$3,600 for citizens; ≤$2,600 for PRs.

Other Transport

• Singapore Red Cross TransportAid — to/from healthcare facilities for lower-income
• Singapore Disability Sports Council — mini-buses with hydraulic lifts

KEY ORGANISATIONS

HOW TO ACCESS SERVICES

1. Contact SG Enable (1800-8585-885) as the first stop for all disability services
2. Visit the Enabling Guide (enablingguide.sg) for a comprehensive directory
3. Visit the Enabling Village at 20 Lengkok Bahru for in-person support
4. For early intervention: referral through SG Enable to EIPIC providers
5. For employment: contact employment@sgenable.sg or visit the Information and Career Centre
6. For financial assistance: apply through AIC, CPF, or SG Enable depending on the scheme
7. For SPED school placement: contact MOE or the specific SPED school directly