Parents welcome more job support for people with disabilities, but say ‘real test’ is staying employed
Employment support also must account for the wide range of abilities and needs among people with disabilities, say parents in response to recent recommendations by a government task force.
Parents in Singapore express support for more job support for people with disabilities, but question if the support can truly assist them in staying employed. With two of her three children set to graduate from special education schools, Ms Keenbie Kok is contemplating work options for her autistic twins, Victor and Vernon. Victor requires more assistance with daily learning and managing changes, while Vernon is a visual learner with an interest in systems and numbers.
The government task force has suggested enhancing work exposure opportunities in special education schools and bolstering job support to help people with disabilities transition into the workforce. However, parents highlight that the real challenge is maintaining employment for these individuals once they are hired. Only 24.4% of employed residents with disabilities had held the same job for at least a year as of 2025, according to the Ministry of Manpower.
Parents assert that the success of the measures hinges on their proper implementation and the availability of suitable employers and roles. They emphasize the importance of sustained support, including the possibility of returning to training or other assistance if a placement does not work out. Children's therapist Lela Iuorno, whose son has autism, worries about what happens when PWDs reach 30, as the focus is currently on the transition from 18 to 18+.
Parents propose increased collaboration between the government, schools, disability organizations, and employers to foster an inclusive work environment that accommodates the unique needs and abilities of individuals with disabilities. Employers with successful inclusive hiring practices, such as OCBC Bank, stress the significance of job fit and appropriate support for PWD employees to contribute meaningfully to their teams.
Written by urgent.news from CNA - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
