SINGAPORE, 13 November 2025 – Born with bow legs, severe scoliosis, and restrictive lung disease, 37-year-old Pearl Lee spent much of her life navigating not just physical challenges, but also had to live with the assumptions people make about her capabilities and ambitions.
She was once told to set her sights lower – advice she thankfully ignored. Today, Ms Lee is a passionate disability advocate and a business partner at a multinational company, speaking on public platforms to challenge perceptions and redefine what ability looks like.
Ms Lee’s story opens UNLABEL 2025, an annual public education campaign by local disability-focused charity SPD. Launched today, UNLABEL invites the public to look beyond labels and recognise potential and see the person before the disability.
This year’s campaign theme, “See This Ability” plays on the word “disability” – a reminder that ability is always present, if only we choose to see it.
“I’ve learned how powerful it can be when someone sees us for our abilities and gives us the opportunity to share them. From my first emceeing role to the numerous public speaking engagements I have conducted and continue to conduct, I’ve realised that seeing ability in ourselves and in others can open doors that we can never imagine,” said Ms Lee.
Her words capture the essence of the campaign — a call on society to focus on the talent, passion and potential in a person, instead of limitations.
“UNLABEL is a call to re-examine our assumptions and unconscious biases that shape how we see persons with disabilities,” said Mr Abhimanyau Pal, SPD chief executive officer. “Too often, the barriers they face go beyond the physical, rooted instead in stereotypes and social stigma. Through this campaign, we hope to spark reflection, shift perceptions, and inspire people to build a truly inclusive society — one where we unlabel, understand, and empower.”
Stories that shift perception
Alongside Ms Lee, UNLABEL spotlights three other individuals whose journeys reflect the heart of the campaign.
Mr Winston Wong, who has hearing loss, knows how ability can be easily overlooked. Early in his career, he often found that perceptions had sometimes overshadowed his qualifications. Determined to change that narrative, the 37-year-old built a career in inclusive education and hiring, while actively advocating for diversity and disability inclusion.
“Often, the real barrier isn’t disability, it’s attitude,” said Mr Wong. “Our disabilities may limit certain functions, but they don’t define our capability. When given the opportunity and right support, we can show that ability exists in every one of us.”
Also featured are Mr Mikail Wong and Mr Taufik Omar, wheelchair rugby players who show that sport is as much about mindset as it is about movement.
Five years ago, Mr Mikail’s life changed after sustaining a spinal cord injury. Having to relearn everything, the 47-year-old faced moments of doubt before finding renewed purpose through wheelchair rugby.
Fellow teammate Mr Taufik, 58, found strength in the sport as well. Paralysed from his chest down after a road traffic accident, wheelchair rugby reignited his confidence and sense of purpose.
Together, these stories reveal a simple truth: the real barrier is not the disability, but the lens through which we see it.
Creative collaboration with purpose
Launched in 2019, SPD’s annual UNLABEL campaign has become a key initiative leading up to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) on 3 December. This year, SPD once again partners creative agency Societal to bring the campaign to life.
“This is the sixth campaign we have created for SPD. Over the years, we have seen firsthand the wonderful work SPD does, and each year we meet people who genuinely inspire us all. We look forward to supporting SPD again and again, as they continue their good work,” said Mr Kevin Geeves, Societal’s creative director and founder.
With the support of SMRT Corporation Ltd which sponsored the media space, posters of the campaign have been installed at three SMRT train stations, specifically Bugis, Bras Basah, and Raffles Place, on in-train panels along Circle Line as well as 55 bus stops island-wide from 13 November to 10 December 2025.
Members of the public can learn more about the campaign and the featured stories at http://www.spd.org.sg/unlabel or scan the QR code on the posters.
