In celebration of World Down Syndrome Day 2023, ‘Our Lives, Our Voices’ (OLOV) Self-Advocates star in a music video created to promote inclusion through Key Word Sign.

Get a sneak peek behind-the-scenes as Self-Advocates Grace, Gabriel and Hai Xiang share about their experiences preparing for and starring in the music video, the lessons they’ve learned and their hopes for inclusion this World Down Syndrome Day.

Advisor and teacher-in-charge of the Sports Squad CCA Group in Woodlands Gardens School, Adilah Ngadi, attests to the far-reaching impact of sports for her students with special needs.

Read about Adilah’s student athletes and the revamped Physical Education curriculum.

Speech and Language therapy enhances our students’ and clients’ quality of life by supporting their development of communication, speech, and social skills through professional evaluations and personalised intervention strategies.

Read about the collaboration between Speech and Language Therapist, Clover Tan, teachers and parents to empower her student, Irfan.

The Lunar New Year season is often a time of reconnecting with loved ones, celebrating family ties and friendships.

For Ms Catherine Tan and her fellow volunteers and friends in the ‘Door Knock Charity Group’, the Lunar New Year season is also a time of giving.

Leaving the familiarity of school can be intimidating for persons with special needs and their parents. This was the experience for Vikki Jonied, 47, whose daughter, Iffa, 23, has Global Developmental Delay.

Read about Vikki and Iffa’s journey with Home-based Care Services and her preparation towards joining centre-based services.

Just as many of us experience a change in our bandwidths and opportunities for learning and growth after graduation, Persons with Intellectual Disability (PWIDs) often face this struggle as they progress into adult services as well.

With these concerns and considerations in mind, MINDS Institute developed the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) for our clients to continue learning and growing.

Through initiatives such as befriending sessions and projects like craft activities, read how volunteers from DBS invested their time and resources to raise awareness on the challenges faced by the Persons with Intellectual Disability (PWIDs), promote a more inclusive society, and improve the quality of life of our clients.

Art has been a tool for expression and exploration for many.

Learn about the Visual Arts in Motion: Nurturing Artistic Minds programme in Woodlands Gardens School, headed by Nadiah Bte Anuar, and how the programme has empowered students to find their voice and investigate the world around them.

As part of the CASA-MODAL (Clean and Screen All Mouths of Disability facilities And Long-term care facilities) initiative, special care dentists like Dr David Lim provides screenings and dental care services to our clients across various MINDS facilities.

Learn more about Dr Lim’s experiences making oral health care accessible.

A shy and soft-spoken individual, Asyraf matured through the challenges he faced in school and at work. With his work ethic and eagerness to learn, he surpassed expectations and excelled in the positions of leadership and responsibility entrusted to him.

Caring for her daughter who was diagnosed with intellectual disability and early-onset dementia, Ms Gloria Soo shares how she keeps herself grounded amid her busy days and nights.

At the SIA-MINDS Employment Development Centre, Training Officers such as Mr Mohd Rohaizat Bin Amat work closely with clients like Esmond, nurturing their abilities to help them realise their full potential.

Learn more about Esmond’s amazing journey of growth at MINDS Bakers.

Often mistaken for the other, Occupational Therapists (OT) and Physiotherapists (PT) play distinct roles in enhancing the quality of life of our clients.

Learn about the functions of PT and OT through the experiences of Syuhada and Rebecca from Woodlands Employment Development Centre.

Parents play a pivotal role in acknowledging and creating opportunities for their children to hone their talents.

Hear from Mrs Novel Chee as she shares about her journey of parenting and supporting her daughter Heidi’s musical talents.

Occupational Therapists like Neeta Ponmalar develop creative strategies to support their clients’ development of daily occupations. Learn about the work OTs do to improve each client’s quality of life.

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy and raising a child with special needs, Alan Pek uses his story and voice to champion inclusion for persons with disabilities.

Raintree Special Student Care Centres offer holistic before-and-after-school care for students with special needs. Read about the people and activities of SSCC@WGS through Nurimah’s story.

Learn more about the joys and challenges of being a Speech and Language Therapist working with children with special needs through Vivien Ong’s story.

Have a deeper look at the ethos and stories behind UNIQLO Singapore’s inclusive hiring practises and employment culture.

Gin Ng and Chiang Li Bing, the Training Officers helming MINDS Craft at SIA-MINDS Employment Development Centre, tap on their clients’ strengths to set them up for success.

Johannes Cheong is living proof that PWIDs have just as much autonomy as anyone else to dream big, endeavour, and attain the goals that they set out to achieve.

This budding ‘Our Lives, Our Voices’ (OLOV) Self-Advocate hopes to share that message with the world.

As an Occupational Therapist with the Disability Case Management Team, Sng Jing Ning navigates complexities with her clients to nurture skills that improve their quality of life.

“I always had an interest in the special needs sector, but I never could find the time to commit to volunteering due to a busy school schedule. However, after graduating and finally getting my degree, I committed myself to volunteering, and approached WEDC to sign up as a volunteer.”

Learn about Bavanezvari Breonna’s volunteering journey with Woodlands Employment Development Centre below.

MINDS Wash is the product of a valuable partnership with SPC Singapore, creating job opportunities for our clients with intellectual disabilities and platforms to spread awareness about inclusion for PWIDs.

Persons with intellectual disabilities may struggle with communication. Learn about the innovative systems Training Officers developed to enable clients like Ah Chuan express themselves and their needs.

Helpful and determined, Marcus is a role model for his fellow clients and a great help to his Training Officers at Jurong Training and Development Centre.

An often overlooked aspect of a resident’s quality of life is the relationships they yearn to build with others. In the absence of biological family members, the staff in MINDSville@Napiri often take on the roles of caregivers and family members to residents like Ah Fong.

A passionate and inspiring individual, Allan Cai is a pioneer in MINDS’ ‘Our Lives, Our Voices’ Self-Advocacy Programme, and has represented persons with intellectual disabilities on various local and international platforms.

He is also a recipient of the Goh Chok Tong Enable Awards (UBS Promise), and a prominent face in The Purple Parade 2021.

Supported by the MINDS Job Placement Job Support – Hi-Job! – team, client Daniel Khuresh Faizullabhoy overcame different struggles and secured a job he enjoys.

Paulyne Tan reflects on her 10-year milestone of offering free haircuts to the students of Towner Gardens School.

Li Shu Yun, mother and caregiver to ‘Our Lives, Our Voices’ Self-Advocate Allan Cai, shares her perspectives and experiences parenting a child with special needs.

Psychologist at Idea Employment Development Centre, Yvonne Lee, reflects on her growth and journey working with persons with intellectual disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Retired MINDS Principal, Mrs Priscilla Theseira, shares about her journey in Special Education and how she continues to support her former students in retirement.

Manager of MINDS Raintree Special Student Care Centre, Shamini Nambiar shares how to make a difference for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Special Education (SPED) Teacher, Guo Yanyan reflects on becoming a SPED educator and the exciting events along the way.