After nearly five years of operations on the ground floor of SPD Ability Centre in Tiong Bahru, the Transition to Employment (TTE) gym underwent a face lift to provide an improved experience for our clients.

At the ground floor of SPD Ability Centre, persons with disabilities could be seen working out on the distinct red and grey gym equipment during therapy sessions. These equipment are wheelchair-accessible and use air pressure which enables therapists to set the suitable pressure according to the condition of the client. The use of smart cards allows therapists to programme the required exercises for each session into the clients’ cards and monitor their progress.

The TTE programme in SPD started in 2014 to assist persons less than 50 years old diagnosed with stroke or spinal cord injuries to return to work or school. Since 2018, the programme has expanded to assist those below 60 years old with acquired physical disabilities. With a team of trans-disciplinary professionals that includes physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers and employment support specialists, the programme is tailored according to the clients’ individual needs, where they receive support such as rehabilitation, work hardening training (i.e., rehabilitation training for a specific job role or function) as well as employment placement and support.

TTE was given a face lift late last year to enhance the rehabilitation experience of our clients. The newly furbished TTE opened its doors in January 2019.

The area was re-designed to give clients more space to navigate the therapy equipment, as well as to conduct group therapy sessions and circuit training, which involve using different equipment. The full-length wall mirror was shifted to the front to create a more spacious look. One of the walls was painted blue for a fresh and soothing feel. Vinyl flooring now covers the floor, which used to be made up of two materials, providing greater ease of manoeuvring for wheelchair-users.

“The idea is to make the place feel less sterile and more conducive and cosy for our clients, so that they feel comfortable coming here,” shared TTE occupational therapist, Sheena Astilla.

For staff, work stations which were originally in two clusters in the centre of the room were repositioned to the back of the room where staff can easily monitor the activities in the centre. The single cluster also facilitates group discussions, is neater and optimises the use of space. Additional cabinets provide extra storage space for files and documents as well as for storing wheelchairs, which was not possible previously.

“The place feels brighter after the renovation, which makes me feel more refreshed. It was slightly cramped at the area where I used to work on the machine, but it is more spacious now,” said Noraisha binte Mohamed, a TTE client.