SPD

03/06/2026

Creating inclusive workplaces starts with good intentions, but lasting impact comes through expertise, partnership and sustained commitment.

Through SPD's Employment Support Programme, employment support specialist Andrea Nandini works as part of a multidisciplinary team that partners with both persons with disabilities and employers to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity. Together, they provide holistic support, from job matching and workplace accommodations to employer engagement and on-the-job coaching, helping to ensure long-term employment success while enabling organisations to build more inclusive workplaces.

In this Tamil Murasu feature by executive sub-editor Elavarasi Stephen, Andrea offers a glimpse into her role and the work involved in empowering persons with disabilities on their employment journey.

Read the full article at www.tamilmurasu.com.sg/community/breaking-barriers-resilience-how-job-coach-andrea-nandini-transforming-lives-pwds today! 🧡

உடல் அல்லது மனம் சார்ந்த சவால்களை எதிர்நோக்கும் ஒருவருக்குத் தேவைப்படுவது இரக்கமன்று.

01/06/2026

"Being there for my dad gave me a different perspective to life. One semester doesn’t mean that much compared to being there for my mum in her time of need. I can always go back to school again."

That was the decision Samuel Chew made when his mother was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The 26-year-old, who is also a recipient of the Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore Foundation Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities in 2025, shared in this article by journalist Christine Tan for The Straits Times how he put his studies at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore on hold to care for his mother. Before that, he had also been caring for his late father, who lived with dementia.

While there are no official figures on caregivers under 35 in Singapore, young caregivers are likely to become increasingly common. At the cusp of starting families and careers, they may have to make difficult trade-offs due to caregiving responsibilities

As Singapore's population ages, stories like Samuel's offer a glimpse into the realities faced by young caregivers as they navigate both their own future and the needs of their loved ones.

Read the full article here - www.straitstimes.com/singapore/community/ntu-student-who-cared-for-late-dad-with-dementia-halts-studies-to-look-after-mom-with-cancer

Discover the story of a young caregiver who paused his studies to care for his mother, highlighting the challenges and importance of family support. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

30/05/2026

We wish all our Buddhist friends a Happy Vesak Day!

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30/05/2026

We were honoured attend the Pei Hwa Foundation 36th Anniversary Charity Day 2026 this afternoon.

This year, 49 charities and community organisations received funding support, and SPD is grateful to be among the beneficiaries.

The work of charities is only possible because of the generosity and trust of donors, foundations, volunteers, and community partners who believe in creating a more inclusive society. Every contribution helps to create opportunities and empower lives.

A heartfelt thank you to the Pei Hwa Foundation for your continued support and commitment to the social service sector. We are deeply appreciative of your partnership and confidence in our mission.

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29/05/2026

A bond-free, multi-disciplinary scholarship for students with disabilities.

The Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore Foundation Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities is a well-recognised scholarship that supports students with physical, sensory or developmental disabilities in pursuing their full-time undergraduate studies at local universities.

Beyond financial support, the scholarship provides the recipients with opportunities for personal growth and community involvement, while recognising their achievements, aspirations and potential.

Successful applicants will receive:
• $15,000 per annum
• Bond-free scholarship support
• Tailored support for personal growth and community involvement
• Additional financial assistance of up to $3,000 per annum, where needed

Applications are open till 15 June 2026. Visit www.spd.org.sg/scholarships today.

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We have been partnering the Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Foundation since 2004 to offer the APB Foundation Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities to youths

27/05/2026

We wish all our Muslim friends a Selamat Hari Raya Haji 🧡

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20/05/2026

New PMA regulations – What should I know?

Are you a PMA user or supporting someone who uses one? Join us for an informative session organised by ESH@Tampines in collaboration with the Land Transport Authority – We Keep Your World Moving (LTA).

As new PMA regulations will progressively take effect from the second half of 2026 onwards, this session will help participants better understand the upcoming changes, prepare early, and clarify any concerns.

Topics covered will include:
• New PMA speed limit regulations
• When the new regulations will take effect
• Medical certification requirements for mobility scooter users
• Safe and responsible PMA usage on public paths

Details
Date: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Time: 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Location: Our Tampines Hub, Level 1, Dance Studio

Seats are limited, so register today at https://bit.ly/4dlRcAD !🧡

17/05/2026

Does positive discipline mean letting children “get away” with misbehaviour?

Parenting does not come with a manual. For many parents, this familiar saying resonates deeply. When children act out, be it refusing to listen, throwing a tantrum, or pushing boundary, parents are often left at their wits’ end. However, growing research in child development offers a new perspective, highlighting positive discipline as a more compassionate and effective way to manage children’s behaviour.

SPD psychologist Amanda Chew shares how positive discipline can lead to better outcomes for both parents and children.

Visit www.spd.org.sg/positive-not-permissive-redefining-discipline-for-todays-parents today for the full article. 🧡

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15/05/2026

“What was the worst thing you said to yourself?”

After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her 20s, Cheryl faced significant emotional distress and uncertainty, with moments where she struggled to see a way forward, “I told myself that there is nothing else that I can do anymore.”

But through the steady encouragement of her family and friends, Cheryl rebuilt her confidence and adapted to a new chapter in life with her head held high. Her journey shows how much understanding and simply having people around can shape the way someone navigates difficult moments.

This September, SPD and Samaritans of Singapore Limited (SOS) are coming together for SparkAbility 2026: A Walk for Change, an inaugural charity walk that brings together the disability community and individuals impacted by su***de and emotional crisis in a shared commitment to inclusion, resilience and care.

At its core, SparkAbility seeks to raise awareness and deepen understanding of inclusion and su***de prevention, anchored in the belief that strong, inclusive communities can foster connection, reduce isolation and support individuals before distress escalates into crisis.

Show your support by joining us on 19 September 2026 at The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay, as we walk together to remind one another that no one should journey alone.

Sign up or find out more at www.sparkability.org.sg today! 🧡

14/05/2026

"Sometimes, the first step is simply wanting to begin."

Meet Anuja, a Master’s student in Art Therapy at LASALLE College of the Arts, who recently completed her internship with SPD’s Enabling Skills for Life Programme (ESLP) (Living Skills).

Over four months, Anuja conducted weekly one-on-one sessions with our clients, exploring personalised ways to support each individual in engaging at their own pace. Over time, these sessions created opportunities for our clients to build on their strengths, stay with a process, and gradually extend what they could do, making their capabilities more visible in their own way.

Watch as Anuja shares more about her experience alongside Terance, who has speech and mobility challenges. 🧡

[Shared with consent. For communication purposes; does not represent a clinical session.]