SPD

18/06/2026

Before sunrise, Mr Lim* and his wife are already on the move, travelling across Singapore to set up their small market stall. As business slowed, Mr Lim took on extra electrical jobs after long days just to make ends meet.

But no matter how tired he is, one priority never changes: his 5-year-old son, Oliver, who is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Everyday experiences can be challenging for Oliver, from communicating his needs to adapting to change and interacting with others. Therefore, three times a week, Mr Lim brings Oliver to the SPD@Jurong West Early Intervention Centre, where SPD's professionals help him build communication, social and daily living skills, giving him greater confidence and independence for the future. Regardless of his work commitments, Mr Lim makes sure Oliver gets to his sessions and home safely.

Even on his busiest days, Mr Lim finds time for the little moments that matter, like taking Oliver for an evening swim. Behind these everyday routines is a father working long hours, juggling an unpredictable income and the ongoing costs of supporting his family. Yet, through it all, Mr Lim never complains. He simply keeps going, determined to give his son every opportunity to thrive.

This Father's Day, you can stand alongside fathers like Mr Lim.

Your donation will help families that SPD serves to continue receiving vital intervention and support, equipping children with developmental needs with the skills they need to participate more confidently in everyday life.

🧡 Donate today at www.giving.sg/donate/campaign/SPD-Father-day-2026-campaign

*Names have been changed to protect the family's privacy.

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17/06/2026

Join us at the The Purple Parade's "Walk In My Shoes: Everyday Perspective" interactive workshop!

Through guided discussions and hands-on activities, participants can gain better understanding of disability inclusion, and accessibility.

Date: 25 July 2026
Time: 10am – 12pm (Registration opens at 9:30 AM)
Venue: Central Singapore CDC Office
Cost: $5/pax

🔗 Slots are limited so register via https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/the-purple-parade-walk-in-my-shoes-series-everyday-perspective-tickets-1992031865935?aff=oddtdtcreator today!

15/06/2026

We are grateful to Minister Masagos Zulkifli for championing inclusion in our communities and for spotlighting ESH@Tampines. 🧡

At ESH@Tampines, we bring together persons with disabilities, caregivers, residents, volunteers and community partners to create opportunities for people of all abilities to connect, participate and contribute.

Because every conversation, activity and act of support matters. Together, we are building a Tampines where everyone feels seen, valued and included.

Let’s keep growing this inclusive community, together. 🧡

14/06/2026

The best connections are the ones that bring generations together. 🧡

Earlier this month, 40 students from St Andrew's Junior College's ChrySAlis group spent a meaningful day with our seniors at SPD@Toa Payoh. They organised a range of activities, including bean bag toss, tote bag painting and a lively karaoke session, before treating our seniors to sponsored bento lunches. More importantly, they took the time to sit, chat and listen to our seniors' stories.

Intergenerational interactions create opportunities for young and old to connect, exchange experiences and see the world through each other's eyes. Through simple conversations and shared activities, they help build understanding and a stronger sense of community.

Thank you, SAJC ChrySAlis, for planning this wonderful session and for bringing so much joy to our seniors. 🧡

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13/06/2026

Sometimes, life can throw unexpected curveballs, but no one should have to face them alone. 🧡

This July, join us for an engaging session on disability inclusion, mental wellness and how community can help us navigate life's ups and downs.

Hear from SPD Inclusion Champion and spinal cord injury survivor Mikail Wong, alongside his wife, Siti Nooraini Abdul Manaf, as they share their journey of navigating life-altering changes together and the difference that family, friends and the wider community have made along the way.

Event Details
📅 Wednesday, 8 July 2026
🕢 7.30pm – 8.30pm
💻 Online via Microsoft Teams (Link will be sent via e-mail nearer the date.)

Whether you are looking to better understand disability or simply want to help build a stronger, more inclusive community, we'd love to see you there.

🔗 Register today at https://bit.ly/register-spd-talk 🧡

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Date: Wednesday, 8 July 2026 Time: 7.30pm to 8.30pm Venue: Online, over Microsoft Teams Thank you for your interest in our talk! In this edition, you can look forward to: ✨Improving your understanding of disabilities and inclusion ✨Practical tips for interacting with persons with disabiliti...

06/06/2026

Let's go for a walk!

Join us at SparkAbility 2026: A Walk for Change, an inaugural community event by SPD and Samaritans of Singapore Limited (SOS) that champions disability inclusion and su***de prevention.

Walk alongside family, friends and fellow changemakers, enjoy a day of meaningful activities and experiences, and be part of a movement that that shows the power of community in supporting one another.

Details
📍 The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay
📅 Saturday, 19 September 2026

Participants can look forward to:
🌟 Event tee, goodie bag & finishers’ gift
👟 3km and 5km fun walk routes
🎪 Carnival games and interactive activities
🧡 Exhibition featuring stories from SPD and SOS clients
🎤 Stage performances

✨Save up to $25 with our early Bird registration rates! Sign up at www.sparkability.org.sg today. 🧡

05/06/2026

[Visit to SPD@Melody Spring Yishun]

I visited SPD@Melody Spring Yishun, a Senior Care Centre located at Blk 477B serving our community at Nee Soon Link. I was happy to learn that quite a number of their staff are also Yishun residents themselves, truly an effort by residents for residents.

During the visit, I was shown around the different facilities and services available, including the Rehab Gym, activity area and games stations. Also had the opportunity to join our seniors in some of the activities and spend time interacting with them.

It was heartening to see the holistic care and support provided to help our seniors stay active, engaged and cared for. Families and caregivers too feel assured that the care in the day is managed well, while they go to work or tend to their daily responsibilities.

A big thank you to SPD for creating a warm and supportive environment where our seniors can stay connected, enjoy meaningful activities and spend quality time together 👏

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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