Our Story

Who We Are

SPD is a local charity set up to help people with disabilities or who may develop disabling conditions of all ages to maximise their potential and integrate them into mainstream society. 

Through over 20 programmes and services that encompass early intervention, therapy, vocational training, assistive technology, day care, as well as educational, employment and social service support, we serve people with physical, sensory and developmental needs. 

Founded in 1964 by a group of Rotarians, we were known as Society for Aid to the Paralysed (SAP). In the earlier years, SAP provided employment opportunities at its sheltered workshop to people with disabilities who had difficulties seeking open employment.  We were renamed Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD) in May 1998 and subsequently to just SPD in July 2014 to better reflect the work that we do – serving people beyond  physical disabilities.

What We Achieved Together Last Year

children & youth supported in early intervention and education

jobseekers with disabilities placed in open employment

persons with disabilities received employment-related training

individuals supported by 123 therapists in 68 rehab-based community programmes

individuals supported at SPD Rehabilitation Centres

clients served in day activity and day care programmes

lives enriched through assistive technology

caregivers empowered

individuals reached through public education efforts

man hours contributed by 241 individuals and 44 organisations

Milestones

2024

The Enabling Mark is a national accreditation framework by SG Enable that benchmarks and recognises organisations for best practices and outcomes in disability-inclusive employment. SPD received another three years’ accreditation for Enabling Mark Gold.
SPD’s commitment to excellent governance was recognised with the Charity Transparency Award 2024, presented by the Charity Council. This award marks the seventh consecutive win for SPD since 2016, highlighting the robust practices and transparency we prioritise in serving our community.
SPD staff were recipients of 22 Gold and 18 Silver Awards at the Singapore Health Quality Service Awards (SHQSA) 2024. The SHQSA is an annual event that honours outstanding healthcare professionals who have delivered quality care and excellent service to patients.
In July, two early intervention centres, SPD@Kembangan and SPD@Jurong West, started operations to provide early intervention services for children with developmental needs.
Senior care centre SPD@Canberra was launched in April to provide daycare and rehabilitation for seniors, as well as adults with disabilities or disabling conditions.
Equipped with dementia-friendly facilities, SPD@Toa Payoh was approved by the Ministry of Health to operate as a senior care centre.
SPD was appointed to run the Enabling Services Hub at Punggol in partnership with SG Enable. ESH@Punggol started operations in July 2024 to serve persons with disabilities and their caregivers in the Hougang, Punggol, Sengkang or Serangoon town community.

2023

SPD was conferred the Charity Transparency Award for the sixth consecutive year since the Charity Council introduced it in 2016 to encourage good governance and disclosure practices amongst organisations in the charity sector.
The first Enabling Services Hub, ESH@Tampines, was officially launched on 15 August at Tampines West Community Club by Minister for Social and Family Development Mr Masagos Zulkifli, who is also the Adviser to Tampines Grassroots Organisations. A partnership between SG Enable and SPD, the aim of ESH@Tampines is to develop a stronger ecosystem of support for persons with disabilities and their caregivers in the Tampines or Bedok town community through befriending services, social recreational services, and courses, as well as respite care options.
2 SPD staff received the Singapore Health Quality Awards (SHQSA) Service Excellence (Silver) Award on 13 February. The SHQSA honours healthcare professionals in Singapore who have demonstrated remarkable commitment in delivering quality care and excellent service.

2022

41 SPD staff were awarded two Star, 22 Gold and 17 Silver awards at the Singapore Health Quality Service Awards (SHQSA) 2022. The SHQSA honours outstanding healthcare professionals who have delivered quality care and excellent service. The hybrid ceremony was held at the Singapore General Hospital Campus on 8 February 2022 with Health Minister Ong Ye Kung as the guest of honour.
The SPD Contact Centre was set up in September 2022 to provide training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the contact centre industry. The centre is managed by industry veterans who are passionate about imparting knowledge and mentoring persons with disabilities under their charge.
SPD was conferred the Charity Transparency Award on 9 November 2022. This is the fifth consecutive year since the awards was launched in 2016 by the Charity Council to encourage good governance and disclosure practices amongst organisations in the charity sector.

2021

SPD was one of the 88 organisations to receive the Enabling Mark on 27 August 2021, with President Halimah Yacob gracing this inaugural award ceremony. This is a national-level accreditation framework by SG Enable that benchmarks and recognises organisations for their best practices and outcomes in disability-inclusive employment.
The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Programme (BIRP) was launched in June 2021, making SPD the first known community service provider in Singapore providing specialised rehabilitation to persons with moderate traumatic brain injury.
59 SPD staff were awarded the COVID-19 Healthcare Hero Award from Minister for Health Mr Gan Kim Yong at the Singapore Health Quality Service Awards (SHQSA) – Special Edition 2021 ceremony on 29 March 2021. The awards were given to SPD staff in recognition of their efforts in going the extra mile – beyond their job responsibilities and work hours – to join in Singapore’s fight against the pandemic in 2020.

Who We Are

What We Achieved Together Last Year

Milestones

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