Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped
SAVH is formerly known as the Singapore Association for the Blind (SAB), is the national voluntary welfare organization for the visually impaired. Founded in 1951, the association is affiliated to the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) and is an approved Institution of a Public Character (IPC). SAVH mission is to help the visually handicapped help themselves by acquiring new skills and gaining self-reliance to cope with the integration into society.
VITAL Support for Persons with Visual Impairment
Name of Campaign: VITAL Support for Persons with Visual Impairment
Objective: To raise $100,000 in support of SAVH VI Technology Assistance Lever (VITAL) Fund.
VITAL fund supports the provision of assistive devices (not covered under government subsidy), and training on use of such devices for daily living and employment. Assistive devices may include mobile phones and laptops deemed by SAVH team to improve quality of life and employability of beneficiaries.
Funds will be used to purchase assistive devices and used as a co-subsidy (non-funded portion of ATF & SMF) for low or zero income visually impaired individuals. Funds will also be used to defray costs of trainers for training on use of such devices.
What is the list of assistive devices that the VITAL Fund will fund?
VITAL will fund items which are not recognized by funding agency as an assistive device, as they are commercially marketed to the public. These devices (specific laptops & handphones) do offer assistive functions which can improve the quality of life and employability of the visually impaired beneficiaries.
SAVH plans to manage outcomes by ensuring that qualified applicants (assessed by our trained social workers) receive the appropriate training on how to use such devices. Items include but are not limited to:
- Laptops
- Handphones
- Desktops
- Tablets
- Microsoft Office/Productivity
Please refer to the next slide, as it covers items that are partially subsidised as well as items that do not have any subsidy.
Items to be funded: For the non-subsidised portions (ATF) and in full (yellow box)
To find out more information about the fundraising initiative, visit the campaign page in Community Chest website via the following QR Code.
You can donate through donation page on
Community Chest website via the following QR Code
Amaze Interior Design Pte Ltd, together with its network, is fundraising for VITAL Fund by the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH), through Community Chest.
VITAL fund seeks to support the provision of assistive devices (not covered under government subsidy), as well as training on the proper use of such devices for daily living and employment. These assistive devices may include mobile phones and laptops that could significantly improve the quality of life and employability of visually impaired beneficiaries.
SAVH’s Visually Impaired Beneficiaries
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Younger beneficiaries may enhance their employability through improved mastery of computer software by effectively using screen-readers and braille input devices. Younger beneficiaries are able to improve their thinking, learning, memory, and concentration with help of AT and trainings, hence increasing their work capacity/employability. Apart from that, AT will also help them to have better social relationships and connections. SAVH is developing curriculum that trains, evaluates and certifies VI learners on the use of work-related technologies (Outlook, Microsoft Office, etc). Potential employers can also tap on software that is able help beneficiaries in performing their job, helping the environment to be more inclusive.
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Elder beneficiaries may access essential information from national / government agencies, and even ‘read’ newspapers and books. These devices also allow our older beneficiaries to independently navigate their way through transport networks (bus, MRT). Through the provision of AT and trainings, older beneficiaries will achieve a better Quality of Life (QOL) in having more opportunities for acquiring new information and skills. It will also increase their level of social support as well as their participation in recreation/leisure activities.
Amaze Interior Design Pte Ltd and SAVH seek your support to raise $100,000 for SAVH VI Technology Assistance Lever (VITAL) Fund which will be used to purchase assistive devices and used as a co-subsidy (non-funded portion of ATF & SMF) for low or zero income visually impaired individuals. Funds will also be used to defray costs of trainers for training on use of such devices.
Amy had been working in the educational sector since she was 19 years old. However, she was diagnosed with Rod Cone Dystrophy, a form of visual impairment which severely affected her work performance. She approached SAVH and was recommended two assistive devices – a desktop magnifier and handheld magnifier to help with her work and daily living. Today, Amy has been working as corporate support officer in a school for 20 years. With the help of assistive devices, she can perform her daily work duties well and able to continue living her life independently.”
How will Community Chest oversee and distribute the funds?
- Community Chest will facilitate on the collection of the donation going towards SAVH through the dedicated donation page. Other modes of donation include PayNow and Bank Transfer.
- On a regular basis (once every 6 months/quarterly), Community Chest will download the donation and channel the donation to SAVH. 100% of the donation will be donated to SAVH.
- Funds from the donors will be contributed by PayNow, Bank Transfer, QR Code and credit card payment options.
- We shall create our campaign page with the donation page options. SAVH will updates on the narrative write-up and the requested banner visuals. The page can provide donors a monthly donation option too where the funds will be deducted monthly automatically.
Success Story
SAVH service user’s story/success story on how such assistive technology has benefitted the service users and improved his/her quality of life?
Ms Amy (pseudonym), 58, has been working in the educational sector since she was 19 years old. However, she was diagnosed with Rod Cone Dystrophy, a form of visual impairment, since 2012. Due to her vision loss, it has severely affected her work performance.
Amy approached SAVH and was recommended 2 assistive devices – a desktop magnifier and handheld magnifier to help with her work and daily living. The devices were subsidised under Assistive Technology Fund (ATF) which may them more affordable.
Amy is currently working as corporate support officer in a school, where she has been working for the past 20 years. With the help of the desktop magnifier, she can perform her daily work duties well by enlarging and magnifying documents or screen. The handheld magnifier allows her to hold the device at a comfortable angle and is portable for use wherever she goes (i.e. supermarket). These devices not just prevented her from losing her job, but also increased her independence in her daily living as well.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicant is a registered client with SAVH.
- Monthly household net income per capita must not exceed $2,000.
- Assessed to benefit from the device.
- Not a repeated applicant for similar/same category device within 1 year.
Documents required for the application:
- Pay Slip/CPF statement/Income tax statement of family members.
- Self-declaration form for applicant and family members (when necessary).
- Income & Expenditure assessment.
- Other related documents e.g. employment letter, education results slip, doctor’s
memo, PA card, SSO letter
The above criteria shall be shared explicitly with Community Chest, and the above-mentioned documents shall be kept for two years and may be subjected to audit.
In line with SAVH data protection policy, documents with personal data of clients shall not be shared with external parties nor included in the report submitted on utilised funds.
Narrative and description of this project
Beneficiaries receiving such devices and training will be empowered as follows:
- Older beneficiaries may access essential information from national / government agencies, and even ‘read’ newspapers and books. These devices also allow our older beneficiaries to independently navigate their way through transport networks (bus, MRT).
How will the AT help older beneficiaries?
Through the provision of AT and trainings, older beneficiaries will achieve a better Quality of Life (QOL) in having more opportunities for acquiring new information and skills. It will also increase their level of social support as well as their participation in recreation/leisure activities.
- Younger beneficiaries may enhance their employability through improved mastery of computer software by effectively using screen-readers and braille input devices.
How will the AT help younger beneficiaries to gain employability?
And what else can the corporates do to support these service users?
Younger beneficiaries are able to improve their thinking, learning, memory, and concentration with help of AT and trainings, hence increasing their work capacity/employability. Apart from that, AT will also help them to have better social relationships and connections.
SAVH is developing curriculum that trains, evaluates and certifies VI learners on the use of work-related technologies (Outlook, Microsoft Office, etc). Potential employers can also tap on software that is able help beneficiaries in performing their job, helping the environment to be more inclusive.
How is the tier classified for the donors?
What are the benefits for the donors?
SAVH Donor Tiers as follows:
- Gold $20,000
- Silver $10,000
- Bronze $5,000
SAVH may also recognize donors who contribute more than $50,000 by including their names embedded on their recognition wall.
Cash donations made to an approved Institution of a Public Character (IPC) for causes that benefit the local community, or the Singapore Government are tax deductible donations. The donations are remitted to Community Chest by 31 December of the Year of Assessment to qualify for tax deduction for the next Year of Assessment. For more information, please refer to https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/other-taxes/charities/donations-tax-deductions
The plans for donor appreciation events?
The VIP and/or Guest of Honor in the event?
Donor appreciation will be held together with other SAVH donors and supporters. This may be done in conjunction with SAVH bi-annual Gala Dinner. Next Gala Dinner is set for 2025.
The Guest-of-Honor may be a Political Office Holder – GOH for Gala Dinner 2023 was SMS Chee Hong Tat.
Closed door appreciation events may also be arranged for donors to meet with beneficiaries who had received support from VITAL.
SAVH do organise similar events for Tan Chay Bing Fund which offers bursaries for visual impaired students across various education levels.
SAVH do have lunch events in which donors host Visual Impaired clients. These are usually done in restaurants, and donors/volunteers spend time interacting and hosting their clients.
Donor appreciation events may be kept organic, and held either at SAVH or any preferred venue, with the purpose of donor-beneficiary engagement and appreciation session, where donors get to interact and learn more about these beneficiaries. SAVH may also take this opportunity to thank these donors for their contribution.
During the event, can we also include an “Education Bursary Ceremony” for the virtual impaired students, can it be included in this VITAL fund-raising program or to organize another campaign?
For student bursaries, SAVH clients are currently well-served by Tan Chay Bing Fund. One option is to channel part of VITAL fund to reward or recognize individuals (who have completed school) once they attain employment through upskilling. This may be similar to the SSG Skillsfuture Qualification Award.
Does Community Chest or related government agencies match dollar to dollar for our fundraising campaign to SAVH? E.g.; $100K +$100K?
No. Community Chest is also a charity ourselves and they are funded by Tote Board and the Ministry based on their fundraising outcomes/KPIs annually.
If we intend to have a “Charity Gala Dinner” for the donor’s appreciation, can we sell tables and the collected funds to be contributed for any other welfare organization? E.g.: Cancer Society etc.?
Yes. But for a holistic approach and impact, usually when a charity gala dinner was organized as part of donors’ appreciation, the proceeds usually go towards the selected charity.
If Amaze ID organize for “Charity Gala Dinner”, community chest or the beneficiary welfare organization can share the event cost? Can the funds from collecting the sales of tables used for the event expenses?
Community Chest generally does not budget for 3rd party fundraising events organized by Corporates, and they have strict funding requirements to adhere and require seeking of approval from Committee and Board.
For all charities with IPC status, Community Chest must adhere to a 70:30 fundraising ratio, where the donation gathered through the event needs to adhere to 70% donation, 30% cost. For instance, should ComChest/SAVH conducts a fundraising event, 70% of the donation raised must be channeled towards donation, and only 30% can be used as cost. For ComChest, they usually required to keep the fundraising ratio to be lower than 20%, between 5% to 15%.
You make find out more information from the URL link here:
https://www.charities.gov.sg/Pages/Fund-Raising/Fund-Raisers-Duties-and-Obligations.aspx
An example/scenario ratio to be lower than 20%, between 5% to 15%?
Usually when ComChest organize and paid for their own events, they will keep the fundraising ratio to be as low as possible, lower than 20%. For example, Community Chest’s Signature Events. Such event organization and event budget are pre-allocated and sought approval from the management and committee.
Corporate company can use 30% from the funds for the event expenses and 70% will be a donation for the beneficiary?
Yes, we may. However, we cannot exceed 30% cost.
Can Community Chest assist us to identify which cancer society will be good to contribute the 70% funds as the donation received from the charity gala dinner? However, AMAZE ID shall do the best to keep the 30% of the event cost much less and benefit more funds from our donation campaign to the welfare organization.
We may consider the following: Children’s Cancer Foundation, 365 Cancer Prevention Society, Breast Cancer Foundation or Brain Tumour Society (Singapore) Limited.
What will be the total number of banners required and where will it be placed? E.g.; Retail Outlets, Shopping Malls Etc.:
Given the limited retail space of SAVH partners, roll-up banners are not feasible as it would affect their normal business operations. SAVH is redesigning our existing 80+ donation boxes (15cm x 15xm x 15cm) to include such information. Retail outlets/malls would not allow charities to put up banners, as they prefer to contribute through other means which are more in line with their own CSR goals/objectives, which includes inclusive hiring.
What will be the arrangement to set-up booths and assign volunteers especially on festive seasons? The selected venue and locations?
We will need to outreach to potential partners to offer free booth space during festive seasons (Deepavali, Christmas, Chinese New Year and Hari Raya), and find volunteers to operate such booths. Community Chest may approach some of malls (i.e. Lendlease at PLQ) but SAVH will need to provide all logistics required for setting up and manning the booth. From Community Chest experience with malls, they do have its own CSR goals and their contributions are usually guided by its HQ/corporate CSR goals.
Fundraising permit (HHSC license) will be required for such physical soliciting of donation, and fund raisers are required to provide the audited statement of accounts for each fundraising activity. Alternatively, Amaze/SAVH may check with PA or connected CDC for locations that may be able to offer complimentary digital advertisement spaces.
