Archive · 14 Nov 2025
Singapore's Disability Inclusion Efforts Fall Short Despite Public Goodwill
Imagine a school where everyone is nice to kids with disabilities, but the school isn't built in a way that makes it easy for them to get around, and teachers don't know about special programs that could help.
This survey in Singapore found something similar about jobs.
Lots of people are kind and want to include people with disabilities, but the workplaces themselves aren't always easy to use, especially with technology.
Many people with disabilities also don't know about special training or money help that could get them jobs.
Even bosses aren't always sure how to help.
So, while people are friendly, the real 'doing' part—like making things accessible and spreading the word about help—is still a big challenge.
The survey suggests making a special online place for job info and rewards for companies that do a good job of including everyone.
A Singapore-wide survey shows a significant gap between public goodwill towards persons with disabilities (PWDs) and actual inclusive employment practices.
Key barriers identified include poor physical and technological accessibility, low awareness of available support schemes, and a lack of practical employer tools.
Despite positive attitudes, both PWDs and the public rate current employment policies for PWDs as less than moderately effective.
A striking majority of PWDs are unaware of training programs and hiring grants, and employers also show low awareness of these resources.
The study recommends creating a unified digital portal for job opportunities, grants, and training, alongside incentives for employers who improve inclusion outcomes.
- Who
- Singapore Management University (SMU), Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH), Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf), persons with disabilities (PWDs), and the general public in Singapore.
- What
- A nationwide survey assessing the state of disability inclusion in employment, revealing significant gaps between public goodwill and actual implementation, particularly in accessibility and awareness of support schemes.
- When
- The survey was conducted over two months starting in July 2025 and the findings were published on November 14, 2025.
- Where
- Singapore.
- Why
- To gather data on perceptions, awareness, and engagement in inclusive employment for persons with disabilities, and to identify key barriers and recommendations for improvement.
Challenges Faced by PWDs
Perspectives on Solutions
Employment Effectiveness
Challenges Faced by PWDs
Both persons with disabilities (PWDs) and the general public rate Singapore's employment policies for PWDs below moderate in effectiveness.
Perspectives on Solutions
Future improvement by 2030 is only expected to be 'minor'.
Willingness to Hire
Challenges Faced by PWDs
Both PWDs and members of the public in hiring positions admit they are only 'a bit willing' to hire a person with a disability.
Perspectives on Solutions
This indicates positive sentiment has yet to translate into action.
Key Barriers to Inclusion
Challenges Faced by PWDs
Meaningful inclusion is hindered by poor physical and technological accessibility, low awareness of support schemes, and a lack of practical tools for employers.
Perspectives on Solutions
Empowerment and practical enablement are ranked highest by both groups as ways to improve employment for PWDs.
- Survey Name
- Engage.Me.
- Lead Institution
- Singapore Management University (SMU)
- Survey Start Date
- July 2025
- Survey Duration
- Two months
- Total Respondents
- 7,265
- PWD Respondents
- 495 (171 visually-impaired, 193 deaf/hard-of-hearing, 151 physical impairments)
- Publication Date
- November 14, 2025