The PAP Government will provide greater assurance and support for persons with disabilities (PWDs) as they transition from school to employment or community services.
This commitment was highlighted by Senior Minister of State for Social and Family Development, and Home Affairs Goh Pei Ming. He also wants to build an inclusive community within Marine Parade.
Speaking to Petir, Mr Goh, MP for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, noted that since taking the helm of the inter-agency Taskforce on Assurance for Families with Persons with Disabilities, he has actively gathered ground-level feedback from PWDs and their caregivers.
Established in December 2025, the multi-agency task force works closely with beneficiaries, families, community partners, and employers to shape policy.
During a home visit, a mother shared her deep anxieties about her son’s future, lamenting that he had nowhere to go after graduating from a Special Education (SPED) school.
“Initially, she was very angry, feeling that the government wasn’t doing enough to support them,” Mr Goh recounted. “She had to quit her job to care for her son full-time, which put a massive financial strain on the family. But as we talked, her anger faded into tears. It became a deeply emotional plea for help.”
This encounter perfectly illustrates the “post-18 cliff effect”, a term parents used to describe the abrupt drop in structured support, therapy, and educational services when a young person with disabilities turns 18 and leaves the SPED system.
“Whether looking for suitable employment or community options, these individuals often encounter a gap in availability and capacity,” Mr Goh explained. “Consequently, they end up stuck at home, forcing a family member to step in as a full-time caregiver.”
This interaction left an impression on Mr Goh, directly shaping the upcoming recommendations of the Taskforce on Assurance for Families with Persons with Disabilities.
“As part of this task force, we have paid much closer attention to the post-18 transition, whether that means strengthening employment opportunities or providing greater assurance through our community support options,” he emphasised.
That means reinforcing support within both the education system and the wider community. In schools, programmes will be expanded to offer robust employment training and independent living skills, he noted.
“We want to secure more job opportunities and better workplace support for these individuals once they graduate,” Mr Goh said. “For those who may not be suited for open employment, we will ensure there are options available to take good care of them within the community.”
Beyond immediate graduation anxieties, Mr Goh noted that a second, deeply pervasive challenge weighs on parents of PWDs: the looming worry of what will happen to their child after they pass away.
“Parents often ask: ‘Will someone be there to take care of my child when I am gone? Will the government step in? What are our choices?’ The reality is that many simply do not know what their options are. They want to know when they should start planning, and who will guide them through the process so they can make these decisions in time.”
“Moving forward, there will be significantly more handholding and guidance for our families throughout their lives,” he assured.
On 18 September, Mr Goh announced that the Government will enhance the affordability of adult disability services. Under the first set of recommendations by the inter-agency task force, families caring for individuals with severe disabilities will see fee reductions of 25 to 80 per cent by 2028.
Additionally, the Government will expand the capacity of Day Activity Centres and sheltered workshops by 2,300 places by 2030 to shorten the waitlist, he added.
Mr Goh noted on 18 Sept that the taskforce will share further recommendations later this year to help families plan with greater confidence.
Mr Goh told Petir that he wants to pioneer these upcoming national recommendations directly within his own Marine Parade constituency.
The Anchor @ Marine Parade, Singapore’s first one-stop underground hub for social services, features dedicated support for PWDs. Through this initiative, Mr Goh hopes to transform Marine Parade into a truly inclusive, barrier-free town.
“By partnering with local businesses, we want to expand job opportunities for PWDs while providing specialised disability employment training for employers and co-workers, so that they know how to work together with PWDs.”
“Ultimately, we want to help residents better understand how they can communicate, live, and work alongside PWDs, building a community rooted in deeper empathy, patience, and mutual acceptance.”
