Children and youth, regardless of abilities, should have opportunities to maximise their potential. Early intervention and integration support programmes are important for growth and development of children and youth with special needs. Inclusion support is also provided for those pursuing mainstream education.
For a complete list of services and resources, please visit www.sgenable.sg
Enabling Masterplan 2017-2021: Caring Nation, Inclusive Society
The Enabling Masterplan is a five-year roadmap that guides the building of a more inclusive society. The 3rd Enabling Masterplan (2017-2021) has recommendations to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities, support for caregivers, and build a caring and inclusive community.
Click here to find out more.
Please click here for the 1st Enabling Masterplan (2007-2011).
Please click here for the 2nd Enabling Masterplan (2012-2016) progress report.
Homes
Children Disability Homes provide long-term residential care to children with disabilities who are neglected or whose caregivers are incapbable of caring for them. Some homes also provide short-term respite care for those whose families are unable to provide care temporarily.
Early Intervention and Special Education
EIPIC provides therapy and developmental support services for infants and young children at risk of moderate-to-severe developmental delay.
Children participate in activities that maximise their capability for independence and developmental growth potential.
The Learning Support (LS) and Development Support (DS) programmes are for preschool children with mild developmental needs which includes learning difficulties, speech and language delays and behavioural concerns.
The LS progamme enables children to develop their language, literacy, social skills and ability to write. The DS programme provides therapy support in areas such as gross or fine motor skills, speech and language delays, behavioural and psychological needs.
Support For Mainstream Students With Special Needs
Integration Support
Provides support to children and youth with special needs in mainstream schools to better integrate into their
school and community. Support includes assessment, learning and therapy support, career guidance, counselling, training and enrichment.
Behavioural Support
STAR by
Epworth Community Services is a centre-based behavioural intervention programme for mainstream primary school students with challenging behaviours to help them better learn and form social relationships with family and peers. Parents are also supported
with skills and knowledge.
Therapy Support
Continuing Therapy programmeby SPD
is a centre-based programme that provides speech and occupational therapy services to children 18 years and below.
Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology Services provides access to assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities, including the process of selecting, locating, and using them. Subsidies are also available for persons with disabilities who require such devices. Find out more about the Assistive Technology Fund.
DDR ID Card
Other Services
Emergency SMS Helpline
The SMS 71999 Service is a SMS text messaging platform by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) for all members of the public who require emergency assistance when it is not safe to call ‘999’ in order not to inadvertently reveal their location or position, or when they are unable to hear or speak audibly.
Appropriate Adult Service
The AA service functions as a national contact point to mobilise and train volunteers to assist in the interviews between police officers and detainees with Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or mental health issues. Trained AA volunteers provide support for such detainees and facilitate communication.
Transport Options and Subsidies
NCSS supports TransportAid, which helps seniors and persons with disabilities get to and from their healthcare service facilities, rehabilitation and day activity centres. Click here to find other schemes that also help meet the transport needs of persons with disabilities.
Therapeutic Horse Riding
Riding for the Disabled Association Singapore provides lessons for persons with disabilities aged 6 and older with either physical, intellectual, and/or learning disability. Riders attain rehabilitative benefits, improved life skills, independence and confidence
Buddy’IN
Buddy'IN aims to socially integrate graduating students from Special Education (SPED) schools with their peers from Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL) through semi-structured social activities and sessions. Over the period of one year, students with special needs model and practice age-appropriate social behaviours, while their peers from IHLs gain awareness and understanding of persons with disabilities. For more information, contact Mr Adrian Lam from SHINE Children & Youth Services at adrian_lam@students.org.sg.
Inclusive Playground
Children with special needs require play like any other child for their physical, emotional, social and cognitive development.
NCSS engaged partners to build 7 inclusive playgrounds. There are wheelchair swings and wheelchair accessible merry-go-rounds to remove barriers for children with special needs to play alongside their peers.
>> Read more.
Very Special Arts
Very Special Arts provides persons with disabilities with opportunities through the arts to support integration into society, and to gain financial independence.
Caregiver Support Services
Caregiving can be greatly fulfilling yet challenging. Besides getting help and support from family members, caregivers and care recipients can also tap on these community resources.
1) Family Support Services – Down Syndrome Association
For caregivers of people with Down syndrome
Provides support to new parents, young parents, mature parents and siblings
Organises Parent Support Group (PSG) to offer emotional support
Provides training by organising talks and workshops on a variety of topics
2) Caregiver Support - SGEnable
Listings of resources such as:
Financial Assistance
Financial Planning
Hospital Support Services
Training Courses
