S$30 million grant to aid people with disabilities and their caregivers

SINGAPORE — In part to spur greater collaboration between agencies, voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) and research centres, the Tote Board today (Oct 26) pledged a S$30 million funding initiative to help people with disabilities and their caregivers.

The bulk of the fund — about S$26 million — will be used for projects in areas such as supporting caregivers and new innovation in assistive technology, as well as transition management when persons with disabilities move into different phases in life.

The remaining S$4 million will be used by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) to support public education and awareness on disability issues. Examples of their outreach efforts include tapping on social media, conducting workshops and seminars.

More details about the initiative will be announced in December. Applications will open the following month, and the first grant call is expected to be centred on assistive technology, where there has been limited use and awareness of the full range of assistive devices available for people with disabilities.

Announcing the initiative at a Taman Jurong community event today, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam noted that the new fund will involve close partnership between the Government, NCSS and the VWOs. “The advantage is that we want to ensure that there are no gaps in the system, that people don’t fall through the gaps,” said Mr Tharman. For instance, the fund could build a strong network of support for persons with disabilities as they make important transitions, such as from school to work.

Open to VWOs, social enterprises and other organisations such as research centres, SG Enable will issue about eight grant calls that are based on specific themes or focus areas over the next five years.

SG Enable chief executive officer Ku Geok Boon said: “SG Enable’s role is to facilitate matching needs with relevant research institutes or social enterprises or universities.” Ms Ku added that organisations will be encouraged to collaborate and make joint applications.

Other recent funding initiatives for persons with disabilities include S$30 million being set aside for the Open Door Programme to help them with employment, as well as providing them with transport subsidies through the Taxi Subsidy Scheme that covers up to half the cost.

Ms Ku added that the existing government funding tends to be “scheme-based and services-based” and mostly target education and early intervention for children with disabilities as well as care for adults with disabilities. The new fund will strengthen the community support and help “connect the dots”, she said.