Milestones

Mr.Edmund Wan Fook Wing (HWA President, PBM) received the Public Service Medal awarded by his excellency Mr.Tony Tan (Singapore President, Term 2011-2017). Announced on the National Day Awards 2017 in recognition to his valuable contributions as the forefront to the association and community for persons with physical disability

Mr. Edmund Wan Fook Wing (HWA President, PBM) was presented the NGO Leadership & Excellence Award at the 6th Asia Best CSR Practices Awards 2016. Hosted by CMO Asia, it is Asia’s highest recognition of individuals with a significant and positive impact to the community.

Personal Care Services is expanded and called Home Care Services to include Medical, Nursing, Therapy and Housekeeping.

HWA was presented with Charity Governance Award (Medium Category) in recognition of adopting the highest standards of governance.

Centre for the Physically Challenged is a joint operation of Handicaps Welfare Association (HWA) Abilities Beyond Limitations and Expectations (ABLE) officially launched on 25th February.

The centres’ services include a comprehensive range of intervention and training.

HWA officially launched its new Rehabilitation & Training Centre at Jurong Point Shopping Centre In January as an expansion of its rehabilitation programmes to members and public west region of Singapore.

HWA celebrated its 40th Anniversary and adopted its new tag line “Impacting Lives, Bridging Communities”

HWA was adopted by National Parks as their beneficiary.

HWA was adopted by Sloane Clinic as their beneficiary.

HWA has introduced a new scheme named “HWA Micro-Finance Assistance Scheme” with funding from Chan Su Lan trust Fund.. Members who wish to set up their own businesses could apply an interest free loan up to S$100,000 in total.

For demonstrating h5 support towards National Service and Total Defence, HWA was awarded Total Defence Award at 3rd Tier: Meritorious Defence Partner Award from The Ministry of Defence.

To better understand our members’ needs and wants, HWA conducted a Needs Assessment Survey to gather information and update member’s particulars. Using the response from members, HWA has improved its existing programs and services.

HWA was adopted by 938 LIVE as their beneficiary from January

HWA was adopted by Leo Burnett as their beneficiary from April 2007

Memorandum of Understanding between HWA & Wheelchair Basketball Association (Singapore) signed on 30th December. This was undertaken for HWA and WBA to work together synergistically to further promote sports and social activities.

A Multi-Purpose Court was installed in October. It allows various learn-to-play activities which has not only benefited HWA members like the Wheelchair Basketball Team, but also provides a convenient space for all to enjoy ball games.

Launching of HWA Personal Care Service that aims to assist persons with disabilities who need help in Personal Hygiene. The funding is awarded to HWA by National Council of Social Service (NCSS).

HWA started an internship placement programme with a year funding received from UPS Singapore.

HWA celebrated its 35th Anniversary- Inspiring Dreams & Empowering Lives! with a first-ever Piano Recital event called “A Night with Ben & Friends” on 18th June at the Jubilee Hall, The Raffles Hotel. Performances were staged by people with physical disabilities to showcase their abilities. NMP Eunice Olsen was guest performer.

In the Citibank-YMCA YOUTH FOR CAUSES programme, HWA’s team- Wheel Power which comprised of HWA members and volunteers from the wheelchair basketball team was awarded for the “Best Team” prize for the above 21 category on 19th November. Their efforts in creating awareness on disabilities and in raising funds for the “Build-a-Court” project was recognised by the organisers.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Singapore) adopted HWA as their charity organisation to partner with in their bid to serve the people with physical disabilities in Singapore.

HWA was awarded with the Annual Sporting Inspiration Award by the Singapore Sports Council in recognition for promoting Sports to improve the quality of living for the physically disabled.

Member of Rehabilitation International – International Commission on Technology and Accessibility (ICTA). ICTA supports the concept of a system of linkages to create accessible and equitable environments. It advocates positive terminology and the use of accessible facilities rather than disabled facilities. HWA will proactively network and participate in the cause and activities of ICTA.

Member of International Centre for Accessible Transportation (ICAT). ICAT is a not-for-profit, non-government, international organisation established to disseminate the knowledge on, and support the development of, new technologies, systems and related improvements to make transportation more accessible to all travellers, especially those who are less able as a result of a disability or age, regardless of national boundaries. HWA will tap on the expertise of this organisation to work towards a barrier-free environment for people with disabilities in our community.

HWA President, Ms Judy Anne Wee was conferred the National Day Public Service Medal by the Singapore Government – the first HWA president to be honoured for outstanding community service. Ms Wee has actively served in the Executive Committee of HWA since 1986 and has made significant contribution, both locally and internationally, in championing the cause for persons with physical disabilities.

HWA launched ts first-ever nation-wide Skills Competition cum Public Forum entitled “BRIDGE-Towards a More Inclusive Society”.

HWA jointly organised the Asia & Pacific Forum (APDF) Inaugural Meeting & Conference 2003- “Disability in the New Millennium”

Launch of Revised Code on Barrier-Free Accessibility in Buildings, 2002

Launch of HWA Rotary-Skills Assistance Funds

Set Up of HWA IRC for Members

10th Anniversary of HWA Rehabilitation Centre

Needs Assessment Survey (NAS) of our members conducted

The first-ever medical health screening conducted for members

“Honorable Mentioned” for the 2000 ESCAP Human Resource Development Award by the United Nations Economic & Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific for the empowerment of people with disabilities in Singapore’s knowledge-based economy Setup of Wheelchair Repair Workshop

Implementation of the Committed to Life Learning Award (CLLA) – to promote continual learning and helping members to build careers

Task Force to revise “Code for Barrier Free Access in Buildings”

Launch of “Access Singapore” booklet

Launch of Comfort Handicare Cab Service

Introduction of the After-Office-Hours Dial A Ride Service

Official launch of HWA’s Website

Launch of the After Office Hours Dial A Ride Service

Official opening of The AST-HWA Computer Centre

Launch of the New Code for Barrier-Free Accessibility in Buildings

Launch of “Public Awareness Campaign – Have a Heart, Show U Care”

Official opening of The AST-HWA Computer Centre

Launch of the New Code for Barrier-Free Accessibility in Buildings

Launch of “Public Awareness Campaign – Have a Heart, Show U Care”

Task Force to revise “Code for Barrier Free Access in Buildings”

Expansion of HWA Rehab Centre

Set-up of classrooms

Takeover of SAP office space

HWA’s 25th Anniversary Celebration – open house to showcase the abilities of peoples with disabilities and understanding the access needs of the disabled community

Official opening of HWA Rehab Centre

Setting up of HWA-SAPES Scholarship for members who are pursuing full-time diploma or degree course

HWA started conducting public education talks at schools, tertiary institutions, etc. to raise public awareness for persons with physical disability

HWA started a food ration scheme for needy members and a befrienders’ programme to provide friendship and emotional support for its homebound members

Special Award by the United Nations Association of Singapore for being the most outstanding civic organisation.

HWA’s first “Wheel, Walk or Jog”, which raised about $20,000

Gold Award by the United Nations Association of Singapore for being the most outstanding civic organisation.

HWA moved to its new home at Whampoa Drive

HWA was awarded a Gold Citation by the United Nations Association of Singapore for being the most outstanding civic organisation in Singapore

HWA took over the running of the Vocational Assessment and Placement Centre (VAPC), a pilot project initiated by SCSS to provide vocational assessment, vocational/ career guidance and job placement for persons with physical disabilities. The VAPC was transferred back to SCSS in 1988 when it set the Bizlink Centre, a centralized employment placement centre for the disabled.

HWA started a Driving Service to teach the disabled to drive a car fitted with a special hand-controlled gadget

Donation of 2 vans, one from the Singapore Association of Personal & Executive Secretaries (SAPES) and the other from the Rotary Club of Raffles City. With the 2 new vans, HWA started a Dial-a-Ride service for members as well as the public who require transport for hospital visits, social/recreational activities and other purposes.

HWA launched a transport scheme to provide door-to-door transport service for its members who found it impossible or difficult to use public transport to go to work.

HWA’s first Flag Day, which raised $39,417.

HWA was accepted as a full member of SCSS

Set up an office at the Singapore Council of Social Service (SCSS) Building at Penang Lane and employed of 2 full-time staff

Association published its own magazine, known as the “Singapore Handicaps Monthly” (renamed the “Handicaps Digest” in 1985)

Association’s first fund-raising project – A Jumble Sale

Formation of the Association. First registered as the Singapore Handicaps Friendship Club, it changed its name to the Singapore Association for the Disabled in 1975 and in 1976, it was renamed the Handicaps Welfare Association