SINGAPORE – More help is on the way for persons with disabilities (PWDs) to live independently in the community, with two pilot programmes by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).
The Enabled Living Programme (ELP) and the Home Support Programme (HSP) will support PWDs with low to moderate support needs to continue living in the community instead of being institutionalised if they do not have caregiver support and alternative residential options.
Up to 250 PWDs will take part in the two programmes during the pilot period.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development Eric Chua announced the upcoming schemes on March 10 during the debate on his ministry’s budget.
He said the HSP’s visiting services will help many PWDs living with ageing caregivers who may be frail and soon unable to care for them. “Without other options, they may end up institutionalised.”
For instance, a person with intellectual disabilities may benefit from services such as monitoring and reminder services, coaching on independent living and social skills, and future care planning on how they can live independently after their caregiver dies.
The HSP will start in 2026.
The ELP will help PWDs who are unable to live with their families and need support, such as lower-income PWDs whose aged caregivers have died.
They will live in pairs in public rental flats set aside for the pilot, where they can receive onsite services for daily living, such as basic supervision, financial assistance, and coaching on independent living and social skills.
The ELP will start in the second half of 2025. The four sites for these flats will be confirmed around mid-2025.
Both the ELP and HSP will be subsidised on a means-tested basis, MSF said. Clients will pay a programme fee, which will be made public closer to the date of implementation.
These plans come amid a push to support PWDs in continuing to live independently in the community for as long as possible.
The ministry said that as at December 2024, about 1,000 PWDs were residing in 11 adult disability homes in Singapore – most of which have an occupancy rate of nearly 80 per cent.
Admission of PWDs to such homes should be considered “as a last resort and only when it is in their best interests”, it added. “They should be encouraged and supported to live in the community for as long as possible.”
Aside from the community living pilots, there are also plans to boost lifelong learning for PWDs.
Mr Chua also announced MSF’s upcoming launch of the Enabling Skills for Life Programme with selected sheltered workshops and day activity centres. This will be launched from the fourth quarter of 2025 to 2028.
He said the programme aims to serve PWDs with a single service catering to their evolving learning needs, so that they do not have to move between multiple services.
The programme aims to improve the quality of life for adults with disabilities by equipping them with independent living, communication, social-emotional functioning and vocational skills.
It will support PWDs who have higher support needs to keep learning, building on what they learnt in special education schools.
Mr Chua also addressed questions from several MPs about better supporting PWDs.
Ms Denise Phua (Jalan Besar GRC) asked if on-site job support for PWDs under SG Enable’s Job Placement and Job Support Programme can be extended beyond one year, as PWDs often require long-term assistance to navigate workplace challenges.
Mr Chua said the Institute of Technical Education and SG Enable’s internship and employment support programme will be enhanced to provide further support to more students with disabilities. The School-to-Work programme, for those who need more time to prepare for work after graduating from special education schools, will also be expanded.
The Enabling Business Hub also provides longer and more intensive job support for those who need it, he added.
Nominated MP Ong Hua Han asked if the ministry can conduct surveys on the prevalence of neurodivergence in the adult population.
He said many with “invisible” conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dyslexia may struggle with organisation, executive function or navigating workplace expectations. “Many are also hesitant to ask for accommodations for help, fearing stigma or uncertainty about how employers will respond.”
In his reply, Mr Chua said MSF regularly conducts surveys on the well-being and experiences of persons with disabilities, including in the workplace, through the Disability and Inclusion Panel Study and Public Attitudes Study.
Responding to MPs’ questions on inclusive workplaces, he said the tripartite partners are developing an advisory on reasonable accommodations to raise awareness and guide employers in adjusting jobs or work environments to support PWDs.
To support firms that hire PWDs, the Government also provides wage offsets and the Job Redesign Grant to defray the costs of purchasing equipment or modifying the workplace for PWDs, Mr Chua added.
One individual who may benefit from the ELP is Mr Jarran Ng, who has intellectual disabilities. The 30-year-old’s family has been toying with plans for him to move out into a Build-To-Order flat when he turns 35.
Mr Ryan Ng (left), who helps his parents care for his brother Jarran, thinks the ELP will help Jarran transition to living independently.ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
They have since been approached by SG Enable in 2024 to consider signing Mr Ng up for the ELP.
Mr Ng, who graduated from APSN Delta Senior School, travels to work as an assistant gardener in Shangri-La Singapore by himself. But he has trouble counting money and making financial choices, and his family worries about him falling prey to scams online.
Mr Ng’s older brother Ryan Ng, who helps his parents care for him, thinks the ELP will help his brother transition to living independently.
“Because I think living independently constitutes a whole multitude of stuff other than just living apart from caregivers,” said the 34-year-old, citing tasks such as operating a washing machine, paying bills and what to do if the electricity trips or appliances need servicing.
The older Mr Ng, who works as a human resources specialist, said he wants his brother to be meaningfully engaged and involved in the community.
He said his brother used to spend his free time watching television at home, but he prodded him to go for Zumba classes in the neighbourhood.
“At first, he was reluctant, but after going for one class, there was a period where he went every day. When we walk around (the) neighbourhood, people recognise him. People say hi to him. And people start to look out for him as well.”
“My biggest hope for him is to live a fulfilling life, to not just be left to his own devices, but to be engaged in things around him, to head out and participate in activities.”
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