- What are Day Activity Centres?
- What are the admission criteria?
- How do I apply for placement in a DAC?
- What documents do I need to submit?
- Where can I go to apply for a placement in a DAC?
- What is CEL's role in the application process?
- How does the referral process work?
- What are the fees for DACs?
- Are there any government subsidies that I can tap on?
- How do I calculate my monthly per capita income?
- What is the difference between the means-testing frameworks adopted by hospitals and by DACs?
- Where else can I go to for financial assistance if I am unable to afford the payment despite receiving a government subsidy?
- Can I apply for 2 or more DACs simultaneously?
- Can I reapply if I have previously withdrawn my application or rejected an offer to a DAC?
- Where can I find information on DACs, such as location, contact details, etc?
- What is the difference between DACs and sheltered workshops?
- Which VWOs have DACs?
1. What are Day Activity Centres?
Day Activity Centres (DACs) provide activities and services to better equip persons with disabilities seeking to maximise their independence. This involves imparting to them the necessary skills for their transition to workshop employment. DACs cater to persons aged 18 and above who are unable to take up open employment or attend sheltered workshops. They also provide a form of respite for caregivers during working hours.
The programmes at DACs promote the development of cognitive, social, communication, language, and motor skills. The centres also provide physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
2. What are the admission criteria?
The individual must be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident aged 18 to 55. He/she should be diagnosed with developmental, intellectual, sensory, or physical disabilities, or a combination of two or more disabilities. The disabilities should be congenital. However, persons with acquired disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
3. How do I apply for placement in a DAC?
The application should preferably be submitted by a professional (e.g. doctor, social worker, case manager, therapist, etc) using the
referral form provided by the Centre for Enabled Living (CEL) and accompanied by the necessary supporting documents.
4. What documents do I need to submit?
Besides the referral form, you also need to submit the medical report, psychological report and social report.
5. Where can I go to apply for a placement in a DAC?
You may approach a hospital, voluntary welfare organisation (VWO), family service centre (FSC), community development council (CDC), or contact CEL directly.
6. What is CEL’s role in the application process?
CEL is the referring agency that receives and processes all applications to DACs, and disseminates the applications to the service providers.
7. How does the referral process work?
CEL will assess the referrals received by checking whether the applicant has exhausted all avenues of community-based services before resorting to placement in a DAC; the applicant meets the eligibility criteria; and the application form has been properly completed and is accompanied by the necessary supporting documents.
If the above has been met, CEL will send the referral to the DAC. The DAC will subesequently arrange for an interview with the applicant to determine he is suitable for their service/programme. The DAC might also initiate a trial admission to see if the applicant is able to adapt to the environment at the centre.
8. What are the fees for DACs?
Take the norm cost minus any government subsidy, plus fees for other miscellaneous services utilised, such as medication, consultation by the in-house doctor, etc.
9. Are there any government subsidies that I can tap on?
You can tap on a government subsidy which is based on per capita income and a 5-tier subsidy model. You may choose to undergo a financial assessment or be means-tested to determine the level of government subsidy that you are eligible for, if any.
10. How do I calculate my monthly per capita income?
Your monthly per capita income is derived by dividing the total gross income of your immediate family members by the total number of immediate family members and eligible dependents.
11. What is the difference between the means-testing frameworks adopted by hospitals and by DACs?
In hospitals, the subsidy is determined based on personal income. In DACs, the subsidy is determined based on family income.
12. Where else can I go to for financial assistance if I am unable to afford the payment despite receiving a government subsidy?
You may approach the service provider / DAC for assistance.
13. Can I apply for 2 or more DACs simultaneously?
No, you can only apply to one DAC and be on one waiting list at one time.
14. Can I reapply if I have previously withdrawn my application or rejected an offer to a DAC?
You may reapply, but you will have to go through the application process again.
15. Where can I find information on DACs, such as locations, contact details, etc?
16. What is the difference between DACs and sheltered workshops?
Sheltered workshops provide employment and vocational training for persons with moderate to severe disabilities, so that they may acquire basic job skills such as packaging and assembly through sub-contract work. Trainees earn an allowance and are presented with opportunities to gain work experience at a real client company, thus improving their future employment prospects.
Conversely, DACs cater to persons with disabilities who are unable to take up open employment or attend sheltered workshops. DACs provide activities that impart to them the skills needed to help them transit to workshop employment.
17. Which VWOs have DACs?
- Autism Association Singapore
- St Andrew's Autism Centre
- Bishan Home
- Blue Cross Thong Kheng Home for the Intellectually Disabled
- Christian Outreach to the Handicapped (Toa Payoh)
- Christian Outreach to the Handicapped (Tampines)
- METTA Day Activity Centre for the Intellectually Disabled (Hougang)
- METTA Day Activity Centre for the Intellectually Disabled (Woodlands)
- Moral Home for Disabled Adults
- Singapore Cheshire Home
- SPD-SOKA Day Activity Centre
- Spastic Children's Association of Singapore
- SUN-DAC Centre for the Disabled (Choa Chu Kang)
- SUN-DAC Centre for the Disabled (Bedok South)
- MINDS Training and Development Centres (Ang Mo Kio)
- MINDS Training and Development Centres (Clementi)
- MINDSVille@Napiri
- TOUCH Centre for Independent Living