Our Milestones
Milestones of the Society for the Physically Disabled
2008
The Infocomm Accessibility Centre (IA Centre) was launched on 3 July in an event graced by Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. The IA Centre is Singapore’s first centre set up to provide training in infocomm technology across disability types, including physical disabilities, sensory impairments and developmental disabilities, to enhance their employment opportunities.
Along with this was the opening of the Assistive Technology (AT) Loan Library and IT Apprenticeship Programme (ITAP). The AT Loan Library allows people with disabilities to borrow computer accessibility tools and AT devices for trial before purchase, and for replacement use when their personal sets have been sent for repair or servicing. The Library is the first in Asia catering to people with disabilities.
ITAP serves to bridge the gap between training and employment for people with disabilities by providing on-the-job training and structured courses to equip trainees with the necessary skills set for employment.
2007
30 June 2007 marked the opening of SPD@Tampines, SPD’s first satellite centre. With the growth in programmes and services and the number of people served, SPD has branched out to set up a new centre in the east, taking rehabilitation services and social support to people of all ages with varying levels of disabilities living there. The new centre helps to relieve the demand for services at Tiong Bahru, and also shortens the travelling time for clients who live in the east.
SPD’s first TV fundraising event, The SPD Charity Show (真情无障爱), was met with much fanfare when it was broadcast ‘live’ on Channel 8 on 15 July 2007. Local artistes such as Christopher Lee, Fann Wong, Project Superstar winner Darren Tan and local disabled artiste Lee Soo Chee performed with much sincerity, alongside international artistes Alan Tam, Angus Tong An Ge, Steve Zhou Zhi Ping, ‘Liu San Jie’ Huang Wan Qiu and Taiwanese disabled artist Yang En Dian, to touch the hearts of millions in Singapore. The 3-hour show, graced by Mr Abdullah Tarmugi and hosted by Quan Yi Feng and Mickey Huang, raised $3.86 million.
The launch of the Multimedia Centre Social Enterprise (MMC-SE) on 2 Aug 2007 meant better prospects for trainees under the programme, who can look forward to enjoying better terms such as fixed wages, medical benefits and leave.
The Microsoft Accessibility & IT Center began offering basic to advanced IT training courses for people with disabilities from April 2007. The centre was set to provide training and certification for people with disabilities, and targeted to benefit 4,000 disabled individuals in 3 years.
The first official SPD Volunteer Handbook was launched on 1 December to guide new volunteers and help them adapt to working with people with physical disabilities. The Handbook was launched at SPD’s annual Volunteer Day by Guest-of-Honour Mrs Tan Chee Koon, Chief Executive Officer of the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre.
2006
In September 2006, the SPD Therapy@Home Service started operations, providing occupational therapy and physiotherapy to people with physical disabilities who are unable to go out of their homes to receive therapy due to the severity of their disabilities. The service aims to train clients in basic living skills in their home environment till they are equipped to receive therapy at a centre.
The Specialised Case Management Programme began in October 2006 to help people with an acquired disability and their caregivers nationwide. The programme helps them cope with the challenges of a disability through support and case management.
On 21 November 2006, SPD was presented the Non-Profit Organization Award 2006 by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC). The award recognised best practices in the management of volunteers, donors and resources in a non-profit organisation.
2005
On 1 January 2005, the SPD Assistive Technology Centre (ATC) was appointed by the National Council of Social Service to provide services in AT for all people with physical disabilities, and was renamed the Specialised ATC. This appointment enabled SPD to further encourage developments in the area of AT and further the cause for people with physical disabilities.
SPD was presented with the e-Society Excellence Award (People Sector) in March 2005. Jointly organized by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore and the Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation, the awards recognize organizations that have helped promote infocomm locally, and in making Singapore an e-inclusive society.
Early in 2005, SPD extended its services outside its doors in the setting up of the SPD Therapy Hub, with the aim of providing quality therapy services to VWOs looking to engage rehabilitation services for their clients. Now, the elderly and other people with physical disabilities can enjoy the services of SPD’s therapists at their own day rehabilitation centres, day care centres and nursing homes.
The Paediatric Rehabilitation Unit began operations in September, and offers therapy services for children with special needs below 16 years old. Recognising that intervention at an early age would help children overcome developmental challenges, the Unit provides specific programmes catering to the needs of children in three different age groups.
In September, the ATC staged the 'Best Practices in AT Research' Forum at Global Entrepolis 2005, the first AT Research Forum in Singapore. The Forum promoted the setting of best practices in AT research and involved 120 technology users, caregivers, and foreign and local researchers and practitioners from the fields of rehabilitation medicine, technology and rehabilitation engineering.
StarHub's sponsorship of $200,000 made possible the establishment of the StarHub-SPD Learning & Development Centre which would provide new learning opportunities through enrichment programmes for students with physical disabilities. Launched in September, it would also offer help and support for teachers and parents.
In October, the Production Workshop, Multimedia Centre and Sheltered Workshop combined to form the SPD Ability Enterprise, a training and employment centre for people with physical disabilities. The division focuses on employment with progressive learning. For its commitment towards staff training and people development, SPD became the first VWO to be awarded the Certified On-the-Job Training Centre status by ITE.
2004
A scholarship scheme was launched in March 2004 with the sponsorship of Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation. Two students are selected each year and offered $11,000 for their studies at a local university. This is given to award students with physical disabilities for their outstanding academic achievements to encourage them to aspire to higher levels of educational attainment.
SPD’s first batch of scholars received their awards in August 2004 from Mr Chan Soo Sen, then Minister of State for Education. Due to their exceptional qualifications, the award was given to three Scholars instead of two. The trio fronted the Society’s public education drives and also became role models for other students with physical disabilities.
SPD staged Singapore’s first Assistive Technology Invention Competition in September 2004. The objective was to raise awareness of assistive technology, promote the need to include physically disabled people in considerations when designing new products, and encourage local companies to develop affordable and reliable assistive technology devices. Through the Competition, it is hoped that assistive technology devices would be made more accessible to and of better fit for people with physical disabilities.
In October 2004, SPD became the first Voluntary Welfare Organisation to receive TrustSg certification from the National Trust Council for its website. With the seal given only to online merchants with sound e-commerce practices, donors and customers of SPD can be assured that their personal details provided online would be treated with confidence in a secure environment.
SPD’s research project with the Institute for Infocomm Research was awarded a grant under the Samsung DigitAll Hope in November 2004. In the project, SPD and I2R collaborate to develop the Brainy Communicator, a device which would allow the user to control the computer via brain activity. If successful, such technology would allow those who have total loss of limbs and speech functions to access the computer and control wheelchairs and home environment devices like TV, lights, telephone and even a robotic arm for feeding.
2003
A new web design team made up of people with physical disabilities was formed and began working from April 2003 from SPD's Multimedia Centre. The team provides services in web page designing, website maintenance, web hosting, registration of domain names as well as creation of electronic greeting cards. The members were selected based on their aptitude and interest in IT and underwent appropriate training at the Computer Lab to prepare them to offer their services commercially.
To serve the growing need for step-down rehabilitation services in Singapore, the SPD-Singapore Power Rehabilitation Centre was officially opened in August 2003. Patients were offered affordable day rehabilitation services after acute care treatment at hospitals. They could also look forward to personalized care by experienced professional staff. The Society's dedicated transport service ferries patients to and from the Centre and their homes.
2002
The Computer Lab opened its doors in November 2002 with 13 donated PCs. With support from the ATC, the Lab became an ideal IT training ground for people with physical disabilities. In April 2004, SPD began collaborating with authorized training service providers to provide certifiable basic to advanced IT courses for people with physical disabilities.
2001
One of the key achievements following the building expansion was the establishment of the Assistive Technology Centre (ATC). The Society recognised the potential of Assistive Technology (AT) in improving the work, study and daily lives of people with physical disabilities and began from August 2001 to provide advice, consultation and training on assistive technology devices.
2000
SPD joined the ranks of other organisations in starting its first website offering information online. The avenue allowed it to reach out to even more people with physical disabilities as well as potential supporters.
The second phase of the building construction began. A new floor was added which allowed SPD to expand to other areas of services to people with physical disabilities.
1998
The name and logo of the Society was changed to better reflect those who were benefiting from the Society's services. From May 1998, it became known as The Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD).
1994
A new day activity centre was opened on November 1994 to provide training to low-functioning people with physical disabilities so that they can be independent and self-sufficient. Enrolling their physically disabled child/ward at the SAP-SOKA Day Activity Centre offered the family members some respite and enabled them the freedom to continue working.
1991
SAP became a member of Community Chest and received its first allocation of $275,000 on 16 January 1991 . This was the result of having expanded its services and taking on more responsibilities to help some 600 disabled beneficiaries. The acceptance enabled the Society to maximize its resources on the management of programmes and services and free itself from having to raise funds to meet operating costs and start new programmes. Following this, it went on to lay the groundwork for vocational rehabilitation programmes.
1990
The ground breaking ceremony of the new SAP Vocational Rehabilitation Centre was held on 30 December 1990 over the site of the original building. The new Centre completed in June 1994 was the first purpose-built service centre set up by a VWO to meet the rehabilitation needs of people with disabilities. It was subsequently renamed the SPD Ability Centre after the Society changed its name.
1985
A bequest from the Estate of the Late Mr Lee Boon Huat, the Society's past President, enabled the implementation of the first SAP Scholarship Awards. In the first year, a total of $9,100 was presented to 25 successful candidates.
The programme grew from strength to strength and by 2004, had awarded over $1 million to almost 1,500 physically disabled students and students with physically disabled parents. By this time, it had also grown to provide other services including tuition support, holiday enrichment programmes, befriending, counselling and family support.
1964
The Society for Aid to the Paralysed (SAP) was officially registered with the Registry of Societies on 27 November 1964. Groundwork on the establishment of the Society was started by Mr Leslie Rayner and a few other Rotarians following a moving speech given by Ms Paulette Leaning, a New Zealander with physical disabilities, to the members of the Singapore Rotary Club in 1956. The Leslie Rayner Sheltered Workshop was started in 1967 to provide employment opportunities for those who have difficulties seeking employment in the open market. The workshop started with carpentry work and flourished. By June 1970, a new building had to be opened to accommodate the growing number of disabled workers and jobs. By 1979, it became self-supporting and profitable.