Speeches
SPEECH BY MDM RAHAYU MAHZAM, MINISTER OF STATE, MDDI, AND MOH, AT THE IASSIDD ASIA-PACIFIC CONGRESS
15 October 2025
Professor Angus Buchanan, President of The International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Development Disabilities
Mr Geoffrey Ong, Chairman of MINDS Board
Partners, advocates, distinguished guests, ladies, and gentlemen
1. Good morning. It is my honour to join you today at the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) Asia-Pacific Congress (IAPC) 2025, particularly as we commemorate its 20th Anniversary.
2. Let me begin by expressing my heartfelt appreciation to the IASSIDD and MINDS, for bringing IAPC back to Singapore after 16 years. Thanks to your dedication, we are gathered at this powerful platform – one that bridges research, practice, policy and lived experiences, to engage one another and discuss issues that matter – for people who matter and who may be “different but not less”.
IAPC AND EMP 2030
3. This Congress is especially meaningful because it brings together a rich tapestry of voices, representation, research, and evidence to direct more evidence-based and data-driven practices to advance the development of person with intellectual disabilities. And that is what true inclusion is about. Inclusion cannot be achieved by any one group or entity alone; it requires the collective efforts of governments, academia, practitioners, families, and communities.
4. IASSIDD, as a global organisation dedicated to the scientific study of intellectual disability, plays a vital role in this collective journey. Through its Special Interest Research Groups and annual congresses, it fosters collaboration and innovation that drive progress across disciplines and improve outcomes for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
5. In Singapore, as articulated in the Enabling Masterplan 2030, we envision a society where every individual, regardless of ability and background, is empowered to live a life of dignity, purpose, and joy. While we have made significant progress, challenges remain, especially in supporting children with disabilities as they transition into adulthood.
6. A recent Channel NewsAsia feature followed Ms Magdalene Ong and her son, Chalmers, who was diagnosed with moderate to severe autism. Chalmers, now 21, is a talented artist, pianist, drummer, and bowler. And yet, despite his talents, he struggles to find meaningful opportunities after leaving school. Much of his time is spent at home, where he experiences frustration and severe meltdowns caused by isolation and lack of engagement. Magdalene’s concerns about his future are a stark reminder of the challenges they face and the reason for our efforts that inclusion cannot remain a concept. It must be lived and embedded into the daily fabric of our society.
ABOUT IAPC 25
7. That is why the theme of this Congress, “Person-Centricity as an Approach to Well-being of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (PWIDDs)”, resonates so strongly.
8. Services and support must begin with individual. Every person has unique strengths, aspirations, and potential. Our policies and programmes must be evidence-based, but also responsive to individual needs.
9. Families and caregivers are central to this effort. Their journeys are lifelong and come with emotional, physical, and financial strain. By strengthening respite services, financial support, and peer networks, we not only empower caregivers – we create the conditions for PWIDDs to thrive in an environment of love, stability, and care.
10. In Singapore, we embed the person-centred approach across a continuum of policies and interventions from early childhood, education, and employment to health and community integration. Each intervention is tailored to individual strengths, needs, and aspirations, anchored by the critical role that families play throughout the various stages.
11. This commitment to person-centred support is reflected in the journey MINDS embarked on in 2024 to transform its programmes – from a programme-centric model to one that places individuals at the heart of service design. By aligning support with each person’s aspirations, strengths and needs, this shift enables more meaningful and targeted interventions that enhance overall quality of life.
Early Years and Intervention
12. Support must begin early. Early identification and intervention are crucial to ensuring that children receive the best possible start in life.
13. The Childhood Developmental Screening (CDS) offers fully subsidised screening as part of preventive care for all children up to six years old. This programme identifies children at risk of developmental delay, thus enabling early intervention through timely referrals to the Child Development Programme in KKH and NUH, our public hospitals, for comprehensive clinical evaluation.
14. In addition, children under the age of seven with developmental needs have access to a range of government-funded early intervention (EI) programmes that are tailored to their needs. Children requiring low levels of EI support are served by the Development Support and Learning Support programmes within the preschool setting. Those requiring medium-to-high levels of EI support served by the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children provided at EI centres. ECDA, our agency, has also piloted the Inclusive Support Programme which aims to strengthen inclusion by providing both early childhood education and early intervention within a preschool setting. At the core of these programmes is a multidisciplinary approach involving EI educators and allied health professionals working closely with families.
15. We have expanded EI capacity for children requiring medium-to-high levels of support significantly. In 2024, about 1,500 places were added, increasing capacity by 26% from 2023. We will continue this expansion to meet our commitment of supporting 80% of this group of children by 2027.
Education and Lifelong Learning
16. As children grow, their education must also evolve. The Special Education (SPED) schools in Singapore focus not just on academics, but also on life skills, vocational training, social development, and transition planning to support holistic development.
17. In 2025, we introduced the SPED Leadership Development Programme to build leadership capacity in schools and ensure quality in our special education. Today, more than 7,800 students are enrolled in SPED schools, equipping themselves with skills for life, work, and meaningful community participation.
Employment and VALUED CONTRIBUTIONS
18. Work is not just a source of income – it provides purpose, social engagement, and nurtures independence. That is why employment is a cornerstone of inclusion. Under the Enabling Masterplan 2030, Singapore aims to raise the employment rate of working-age persons with disabilities to 40% by 2030.
19. Existing employment support schemes such as the Open Door Programme are aimed at supporting persons with disabilities to secure and retain employment, as well as encouraging employers to adopt inclusive hiring practices.
20. Moving forward, SG Enable is also taking a targeted approach to curate job opportunities in six key sectors that either traditionally hire or have growing potential for job opportunities suitable for persons with disabilities, namely F&B, Retail, Information & Communications, Health & Social Services, Transport & Storage and Financial & Insurance services. Beyond full or part-time employment, gig jobs also provide opportunities for those who have been outside the labour force for extended periods to build up their work skills.
21. These pathways will enable PWIDDs to pursue meaningful work aligned with their interests, while fostering more diverse and inclusive workplaces for all.
22. Beyond conventional jobs, PWIDDs enrich our communities through volunteerism, creative pursuits, and active participation in social initiatives. Their contributions reflect the values of inclusion, dignity, and shared purpose – reminding us that every individual has something valuable to offer.
Health and Social Care
23. As PWIDDs enter adulthood, health and social care become even more important. Supporting caregivers is therefore essential to building a sustainable care ecosystem.
24. Through the Caregiver Support Action Plan, Home Caregiving Grant and Enabling Services Hubs, we are bringing resources closer to families. At the same time, healthcare professionals are receiving enhanced training to deliver holistic, person-centred care that supports both the physical and mental well-being of caregivers.
Community Participation
25. Inclusion means being a part of the community – it means being seen, heard, and involved in schools, workplaces, neighbourhoods, across all aspects of society. From inclusive recreation programmes to accessible public spaces, we are working to build communities where everyone belongs. But the needs are pressing.
26. Over the past decade, the number of children with developmental needs have been increasing due to greater parental awareness and initiatives put in place to support early detection. This trend underscores the urgency to accelerate our efforts to build a seamless, lifelong support ecosystem – one that ensures no persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities are left behind but are actively engaged and are valued members of our society.
Collaboration Across Sectors
27. Because the needs of PWIDDs span many domains, cross-sector collaboration is not optional – it is essential. The SG Together Alliances for Action unite the government, social service agencies, and the wider communities to co-create practical solutions.
28. I am personally inspired by the families, organisations and communities that transform challenges into support networks and success stories. They remind us that out of adversity, we can build resilience and strength.
A Shared Responsibility
29. Shaping an inclusive future is a shared responsibility. Employers, educators, researchers, service providers, and families – each of us has a role to play.
30. Singapore is committed to learning from international partners. By sharing strategies and experiences, we can accelerate progress towards a world where every PWIDD is empowered, included, and celebrated.
Closing
31. Inclusion is not a destination, but a continuous journey of discovery and shared purpose. My hope is for a future where every PWIDD lives with dignity, contributes meaningfully, finds joy, and is surrounded by family, friends and a supportive community.
32. The IASSIDD Asia-Pacific Congress is a crucial step in that journey. I am confident that the conversations and commitments made here will spark innovation and collaboration that create lasting impact.
33. Let us continue to strive for a more inclusive world. Thank you, and I wish you a fruitful and inspiring Congress ahead.