Broadening Usage of Assistance Dogs for PwDs Beyond Those Who Are Visually Impaired

30 Mr Darryl David asked the Minister for Social and Family Development whether an update can be provided on the review on broadening the use of assistance dogs to empower persons with disabilities beyond the visually impaired.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: In June 2024, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) announced that the use of assistance dogs will be extended to persons with physical disabilities and persons who are deaf and hard-of-hearing, beyond the visually impaired.

The access for the new categories of assistance dogs supporting persons with physical disabilities and persons who are deaf and hard-of-hearing will be extended to public housing, public transport and licensed food establishments, in a phased approach. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has updated their website to allow these assistance dogs to stay in HDB flats. Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura also uploaded a revised simplified Irsyad on these assistance dogs on their website. MSF is working with agencies, such as the Land Transport Authority and Singapore Food Agency, to implement the necessary changes to allow these assistance dogs onto public transport and into licensed food establishments in time to come.