Paving the Way in Inclusive Training and Employment
At the heart of Enabling Village lies a bold mission — to serve as the beacon of disability inclusion for Singapore and beyond, demonstrating how communities can embrace accessibility for all. Over the past decade, Enabling Village has grown from a dedicated inclusive space into a launchpad for inclusive employment and lifelong learning, testing and modeling innovative approaches that empower persons with disabilities and those who support them.
In 2022, the Enabling Academy was established at the Enabling Village to strengthen the Government’s commitment to inclusive lifelong learning as part of Enabling Masterplan 2030.
As Singapore’s first disability learning hub, the Enabling Academy brings together partners from education, business, and disability sectors to provide responsive, quality training while supporting caregivers, educators, and employers through targeted efforts.
More than just a training provider, the Enabling Academy serves as a sector developer, building a more inclusive learning ecosystem. Its scope has expanded beyond vocational skills to include independent living and workplace readiness training, supported by the SG Enable Training Grant, opening new pathways to independence and employment.
Abilities in Action: Celebrating Inclusive Progress
In 2024, the Enabling Skills and Competencies Framework (ESCF) was developed and launched by the Enabling Academy to provide a common language for training providers to deliver more consistent, adaptable programmes for persons with disabilities and their network of support. It also guides persons with disabilities in charting their lifelong learning journey by recommending skills, including essential soft skills for workplaces
That same year, the second edition of the Enabling Academy Learning Festival (EALF) marked a significant milestone. The event had grown since the inaugural event in 2023 held at the Enabling Village, which saw some 600 persons with disabilities and caregivers. The festival expanded its showcase of training providers who shared a variety of inclusive learning opportunities for persons with disabilities.
One training provider, Ludus Lab, offers inclusive tours designed and conducted by persons with disabilities. This innovative approach was first piloted at Enabling Village and its tours have since expanded to tourist attractions like Sentosa. Ludus Labs offers Sentosa Wheel-Venture which takes wheelchair users on a tour of the resort island’s attractions.
Law Yock Song, CEO and Co-Founder of Ludus Lab, said:
“In terms of training and resources, the Enabling Academy has been instrumental in co-developing our training programmes. Job Placement and Job Support Services have aided us in listing job descriptions and finding suitable candidates.”
For guides like Sim Tharn Chun, who was a regional sales manager before a medical condition led to a hearing loss, becoming a docent was a second chance to be purposefully employed. Today, he leads tours at Enabling Village, educating local and international visitors about disability inclusion.
Contributing to employment integration are the partners for Job Placement and Job Support, Autism Resource Centre (Singapore), SPD and MINDS which are housed in Enabling Village.
Among them, the Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) also operates the Employability & Employment Centre (E2C), one of Enabling Village’s early tenants. E2C enhances the employability of individuals on the autism spectrum through training and job support. The Centre partners with employers to create training and employment opportunities in scoped and artisanal skilled jobs, while providing ongoing onsite job support. The Centre also serves as a showcase for prospective employers, demonstrating how structured supports can be put in place for productive employment. E2C has collaborated with over 60 employers across sectors to match the talents of individuals on the autism spectrum.
Since Enabling Village’s inception in 2015, UOB has partnered Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) to run the UOB Scan Hub Training Centre, which provides simulated training of competency skills such as sorting and scanning documents, as well as soft skills such as office etiquette and managing change, to prepare persons with autism for work in an office environment.
With 36% of its team at Scan Hub made up of persons with autism and deaf persons, UOB has embedded inclusive practices into its operations, through restructured workflows for better task alignment, and implementing performance-based measurable reviews. This represents a significant part of the its overall operations, demonstrating the effective collaboration of individuals with diverse abilities1.
1Since 2013, 23 out of 29 employees with disabilities have earned promotions — proving that with the right support and a positive working environment, persons with disabilities can thrive, excel, and lead.
In 2024, UOB extended inclusive hiring to the Wholesale Operational Readiness Centre (WORC), and within one year, 7% of the department is now made up of persons with disabilities. WORC specialises in testing platforms and ensures end-to-end readiness across systems, processes, and operating models for Bank’s Strategic & Regulatory initiatives.
Inclusive hires have shown strong performance in complex testing and contributed to internal innovations such as developing new on-boarding content designed for neurodiverse learning styles.
The continued growth of inclusive hires at UOB Scan Hub and WORC – based on the sustainable employment framework the Bank has developed over the last 13 years – is demonstrative that hiring inclusively based on a strong business case, is essential for long-term success.
On the artistic front, ARC(S)’s social enterprise, The Art Faculty, offers individuals on the autism spectrum a platform to grow professionally and earn a dignified source of income through their art talent. It’s more than just showcasing talent — it’s also about building work habits, meaning and financial independence.
Jacelyn Lim, Executive Director of ARC(S), reflects on the partnership with Enabling Village:
“We are very grateful to be part of an ecosystem that brings together the public, private, and people sectors to create opportunities for training, employment, and community integration for people with different abilities, helping to uplift the whole community.”
Through stories like these, Enabling Village is more than a space; it is creating entire ecosystems where purpose, support, and dignity intersect.
Moving Beyond the Needle: Shaping Tomorrow Together
Looking ahead, Enabling Village will shape the continuing education and training (CET) landscape for persons with disabilities beyond the age of 18, while also building the skills of their caregivers, employers and training providers through the Enabling Academy.
At the same time, Enabling Village seeks to forge partnerships that not only create jobs but also build inclusive communities, with its tenants expected to train, hire and provide opportunities for persons with disabilities to integrate with the public.
As we celebrate 10 years as Singapore’s launchpad for inclusive employment, discover the voices, milestones, and everyday moments that have shaped our community – and be part of what comes next.
Join the Movement
Whether you’re a training provider, employer, educator, or supporter, your involvement matters in building a more inclusive Singapore.
- For Training Providers: Partner with the Enabling Academy to co-develop and deliver inclusive training at Enabling Village. We provide a range of support, including strategies for inclusive teaching and access to a growing community dedicated to accessible learning. Get in touch with us here.
- For Employers: Discover how inclusive hiring can meet your business needs and create lasting impact. Partner with us and start your journey as an inclusive employer. Get in touch with us here.
