Project creating jobs for those with disabilities among 25 lauded for social, environmental impact

SINGAPORE – To create more employment opportunities for those with disabilities, non-profit organisation ART:DIS set up a studio focusing on handmade goods and original art merchandise made by persons with disabilities.

Among the products sold were tote bags, passport covers and reusable bags.

ART:DIS, which was founded by Ambassador-at-Large Tommy Koh in 1993, provides a wide range of programmes to enable persons with disabilities to develop their artistic interests and grow their self-confidence.

“The ART:DIS studio came about because we noticed a gap in the ecosystem, where persons with disabilities in Singapore have access to only a narrow range of employment opportunities,” said Ms Angela Tan, executive director of ART:DIS.

“These roles may not always align with individual interests or strengths, and often follow fixed full-time arrangements that can be less accessible for those who require more flexibility.”

Ms Tan added: “We hope that ART:DIS Studio helps to address this gap by offering flexible and interest-driven opportunities, enabling individuals to engage in work that is both fulfilling and aligned with their strengths.”

The studio also functions as a creative agency, supporting over 80 artists with disabilities, equipping them with industry-relevant skills and connecting them to flexible and gig-based opportunities.

ART:DIS was among 25 companies that received the annual Steward Leadership 25 (SL25) award, which recognises viable solutions for the environment and society across Asia and the Pacific.

The 25 companies were honoured on Oct 8 at the Steward Leadership Summit 2025, held at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel.

SL25 is in its fourth year, with nearly 450 entries received, spanning 27 countries and 25 industries. Organised by the Stewardship Asia Centre, the list of honourees showcases projects that have significantly contributed to protecting and enhancing the environment or society across the Asia-Pacific.

The Courage Chapter, which helps experienced professionals transition to their next chapter through meaningful projects and roles with companies and charities, was among the honourees.

Courage’s submitted project, its flagship Reternship Programme, helps experienced professionals transition to growth sectors, such as social services, and contribute in various ways in areas such as short-term projects, full-time or part-time roles, micro-gigs, or skilled volunteerism.

Said a Courage spokesperson: “We believe that all seniors should have a choice to work, a choice of work, and when to work.

“Our programmes are tailored towards empowering our experienced professionals with more possibilities and opportunities that align with their aspirations in life.”

Home-grown start-up P.UP was recognised for its mobile clean energy platform, pioneering a revolutionary Green Power-as-a-Service model that delivers energy on demand through modular battery energy storage systems.

“By enabling charging at price parity with public fast direct current chargers, we transform the electric vehicle experience into one of ultimate convenience and flexibility, unconstrained by fixed infrastructure,” said a P.UP spokesperson.

Another winner was Witteveen+Bos, a Dutch engineering consultancy firm that provides sustainable solutions in water, infrastructure, environment and construction. The firm’s submitted project is an artificial oyster reef, a pilot initiative exploring how nature-based solutions can help protect Singapore’s coasts.

To address these challenges, in 2024, the Witteveen+Bos team piloted the installation of artificial oyster reefs, which were designed not only to enhance shoreline resilience, but also to improve marine biodiversity and test innovative approaches, such as upcycling food waste in restoration efforts.

Its spokesperson said: “About 130kg of discarded oyster shells from local hotels and restaurants were repurposed to create the reef. After six months, we saw promising ecological results, including natural baby oyster recruitment and greater species diversity.”

Mr Rajeev Peshawaria, chief executive officer of Stewardship Asia Centre Singapore, said: “Steward leaders want to do well by doing good... While there is a lot of talk about environmental, social and governance (ESG), the problem is that most of it is regulatory compliance, box checking and staying out of trouble.”

Instead of focusing on the governance aspect of ESG, he suggested that replacing it with steward leadership would benefit and create a better future for everyone involved.

“Steward leadership is the genuine desire and persistence to create a collective better future for stakeholders, society, future generations and the environment,” he added.