Providing Support During Covid-19
01 Sep 2021
Photo of a representative delivering the urgent care pack to a beneficiary
While COVID-19 affected many people, the impact on persons with disabilities and their caregivers was disproportionately huge, especially during the circuit breaker period. Those seeking employment or working were affected, with some losing their jobs. Many could not access rehabilitation and care services when centre-based services were suspended. Others faced difficulty in getting food and necessities due to mobility challenges.
We acted promptly with immediate solutions, setting up a cross-division SG Enable Support Team to assist in meeting the last-mile needs.
Urgent C.A.R.E. Initiative
We delivered the Urgent C.A.R.E. initiative with funds raised from the Mediacorp Enable Fund (MEF). Support provided under this initiative included: Cooked meals, Assistance funds comprising a one-time cash relief of $400 each for more than
700 families with multiple persons with disabilities, Respite care for low-income elderly caregivers, Essentials distribution on a fortnightly basis for persons with physical disabilities or those with visual impairment living alone.
In total, $453,570.37 was disbursed to support 1,076 persons with disabilities and families.
We set up a dedicated COVID-19 resource page on the Enabling Guide website. This contained app and website links for accurate updates on the pandemic, as well as ideas for meaningful activities while staying home, and to transition back to school/ work and into Phase 2 and 3 of Singapore’s re-opening. Caregivers could also be signposted easily to the range of assistance schemes.
During the circuit breaker, our page views and number of users increased significantly. We received more than 450 email and infoline enquiries from clients who needed additional assistance and signposting.
| Before Circuit Breaker | During Circuit Breaker (Apr - May) | After Circuit Breaker |
| Average 6,000 page views per month | Average 17,500 page views per month | Average 11,500 page views per month |
| Average 1,900 users per month | Average 8,500 users per month | Average 5,500 users per month |
To ensure that those with no access to online resources stay in the know, we sent out an information-packed EDM on resources available to more than 16,000 individuals.
COVID-19 Vaccination
When vaccines became available, MSF and SG Enable planned for the vaccination of persons with disabilities in community and residential facilities, as well as those in special education schools, in January 2020. SG Enable rolled out the vaccination exercise with government agencies (Health Promotion Board, Ministry of Health, and MSF), social service agencies which manage these facilities, and community partners such as the People’s Association.
Together, we ensured that those who were eligible for vaccination provided consent, set up suitable vaccination sites, and oversaw the vaccination operations. By May 2021, about 75% of eligible residents and clients were vaccinated.
Image of a person with disability receiving the COVID-19 Vaccination
Photo of Mr Overee with his wife and daughter
Coping With COVID-19 As A Caregiver
Since 2013, Mr Overee Vivian James has been the main caregiver for his wife who became a wheelchair user after a stroke. He also has a daughter with cerebral palsy. The sole breadwinner, he was dealt a blow when he had to leave his job as a security supervisor in 2018 due to his deteriorating health.
The circuit breaker period was a stressful time for the family. Their daughter constantly argued with the family as she found staying at home very stifling. It helped when Mr Overee kept her occupied by teaching her how to bake and cook, and obtained homework from his daughter’s teachers at SPD.
With the help of our Urgent C.A.R.E initiative, he received a one-time cash relief of $400 to help defray the household expenses such as paying for cooking gas and groceries.