The Enabling Masterplans define “persons with disabilities” as those with substantially reduced prospects of securing, retaining places and advancing in education and training institutions, employment and recreation, due to physical, intellectual, and sensory impairments, and autism. This definition was endorsed in 2004 by the first Enabling Masterplan Steering Committee, comprising representatives of the disability sector, the private sector and the public sector. 

Disability schemes and services are guided by this definition, to channel support to those who most need it. The Enabling Masterplan 2030 outlines how children with developmental needs, and students with Special Educational Needs (SEN), which include conditions such as ADHD and dyslexia, receive support for their developmental and learning needs in the early and schooling years. 

Individuals who suffer from long-term mental health conditions or from brain health injuries that cause them to be permanently unfit to work or lose their mental capacity can already be considered for early withdrawal of their CPF savings. Should these individuals and their families require more financial support, they can apply for the ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) or Long-Term Assistance (LTA) at the Social Service Office.