Milestones and Achievements
Formerly home to the Bukit Merah Vocational Institute and the Employment and Employability Institute in the 1970s, it is now where Enabling Village has been an inclusive space for all since 2015.
How we started
The Enabling Village began as a conceptualisation of an inclusive space for persons with disabilities to receive training and employment, as well as to promote assistive technology and universal design.
The Beacon of Disability Inclusion
Since opening its doors in 2015, the Enabling Village has remained unwavering in its vision—steadily expanding its inclusive initiatives and forging meaningful partnerships to empower and uplift persons with disabilities through greater resources and opportunities.
We are proud to have received numerous recognitions for our contributions and innovations within the disability inclusion sector.
Our Milestones
2015: Opening of Tech Able
2015: Opening of Tech Able
Tech Able was launched and jointly managed with SPD. The first of its kind in Singapore, this centre in Enabling Village aims to promote the adoption of assistive technology.
2015: Opening of Enabling Village
2015: Opening of Enabling Village
Enabling Village was officially opened by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as Singapore's first inclusive community space, with a focus on training and employment of persons with disabilities.
2016: Enabling Village Wins Design of the Year (President's Design Award 2016)
2016: Enabling Village Wins Design of the Year (President's Design Award 2016)
Enabling Village won the President's Design Award, Singapore's most prestigious design accolade, a testament to its inclusive design and successful integration of persons with disabilities into society.
2017: President Tony Tan Visits Enabling Village
2017: President Tony Tan Visits Enabling Village
Hosted our Former President, Tony Tan, where he toured its premises and interacted with beneficiaries and staff.
2017: Hosting of International Journalists
2017: Hosting of International Journalists
Since 2017, we have partnered Singapore International Foundation to host regional journalists at Enabling Village.
2018: South Korea's First Lady Visits Enabling Village
2018: South Korea's First Lady Visits Enabling Village
Mdm Ho Ching, wife of Singapore's then Prime Minister, hosted Mdm Kim Jung-Sook, then First Lady of the Republic of Korea, at the Enabling Village.
2018: Launch of Caregivers Pod and Coalition of Partners for Caregiver Support
2018: Launch of Caregivers Pod and Coalition of Partners for Caregiver Support
On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we opened the Caregivers Pod at Enabling Village. We also formed a caregiver support coalition with community partners earlier in the year.
2019: First Caregiver-led Care Carnival
2019: First Caregiver-led Care Carnival
By caregivers, for caregivers.
This inaugural Care Carnival was held at Enabling Village to connect and empower caregivers of children with special needs.
2019: Refresh of Tech Able
2019: Refresh of Tech Able
To enhance the experience of persons with disabilities visiting Tech Able @ Enabling Village, we upgraded the space with new interactive zones, devices and accessibility features.
2020: Launch of $25 million Enabling Lives Initiative
2020: Launch of $25 million Enabling Lives Initiative
We launched the $25 million Enabling Lives Initiative (ELI) with Tote Board to support social innovations and public education in the disability space.
2020: Inaugural Enabling Lives Festival
2020: Inaugural Enabling Lives Festival
To commemorate Enabling Village's 5th Anniversary and celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we organised the first Enabling Lives Festival, held throughout the month of December.
2022: Launch of Enabling Academy - a disability learning hub
2022: Launch of Enabling Academy - a disability learning hub
The Enabling Academy was launched to provide quality learning opportunities for persons with disabilities, and enable their network of support through training.
2022: Enabling Village wins the 2022 Urban Land Institute Global and Asia Pacific Awards for Excellence
2022: Enabling Village wins the 2022 Urban Land Institute Global and Asia Pacific Awards for Excellence
Enabling Village was one of six global winners and the only winner from Singapore in 2022. The Awards recognises projects representing the highest standard of achievement in the development industry.
2023: Inaugural Zero Project x SG Enable Forum
2023: Inaugural Zero Project x SG Enable Forum
The forum marked the start of our partnership with the Zero Project, a global initiative, to advance disability inclusion in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific through sustainable and innovative solutions.
2023: Launch of Caregiver Learning Roadmap @ Inaugural National CARECarnival and Conference
2023: Launch of Caregiver Learning Roadmap @ Inaugural National CARECarnival and Conference
We launched the Caregiver Learning Roadmap, a guide to help caregivers identify the knowledge and skills needed at different stages of their caregiving journey.
