The Post-18 Cliff
The Post-18 Cliff
For many youths with autism in Singapore, life after 18 brings a sudden drop in structured support and services. Once they leave the safety net of special education school, the path to work and independence is unclear. Families call this the “post-18 cliff.”
For many youths with autism in Singapore, life after 18 brings a sudden drop in structured support and services. Once they leave the safety net of special education school, the path to work and independence is unclear. Families call this the “post-18 cliff.”
The gaps are stark
The gaps are stark
Few Job Options
Few Job Options
Most jobs are not built with youths who have social, communication, or sensory challenges in mind. Workplaces tend to be either too rigid or too demanding, with little flexibility or customisation. As a result, only a small fraction manage to access programmes or find meaningful employment.
Most jobs are not built with youths who have social, communication, or sensory challenges in mind. Workplaces tend to be either too rigid or too demanding, with little flexibility or customisation. As a result, only a small fraction manage to access programmes or find meaningful employment.
Limited Pathways
Limited Pathways
Those with higher support needs typically turn to day activity centres or home-based intervention services. But spaces in adult disability programmes are scarce and costly, with waiting lists that can stretch from months to years. Many young adults end up at home with little to do, placing additional strain on families.
Those with higher support needs typically turn to day activity centres or home-based intervention services. But spaces in adult disability programmes are scarce and costly, with waiting lists that can stretch from months to years. Many young adults end up at home with little to do, placing additional strain on families.
Social Isolation grows
Social Isolation grows
Most graduates have limited social networks, having been in the special education system since childhood.
Most graduates have limited social networks, having been in the special education system since childhood.
Families stretched
Families stretched
Caregivers juggle round-the-clock support while searching for ways to keep their youths engaged, active, and hopeful about the future — often with little respite.
Caregivers juggle round-the-clock support while searching for ways to keep their youths engaged, active, and hopeful about the future — often with little respite.
The
The
bottom Line
bottom Line
Without tailored pathways, youths with autism risk being left out of the workforce. What’s urgently needed are structured, customisable programmes that provide hands-on job experience — and equip employers to welcome, include, and support them.
Without tailored pathways, youths with autism risk being left out of the workforce. What’s urgently needed are structured, customisable programmes that provide hands-on job experience — and equip employers to welcome, include, and support them.
Singapore’s push for
Singapore’s push for
inclusive work
inclusive work
2018/2019
2018/2019
28.2%
28.2%
2022/2023
2022/2023
32.7%
32.7%
Singapore is working to open more doors for persons with disabilities (PwDs) as part of its vision for a more inclusive society. Initiatives like the Open Door Programme, Enabling Employment Credit, and Enabling Mark encourage employers to hire inclusively and have helped raise the employment rate of PwDs aged 15–64 from 28.2% in 2018/2019 to 32.7% in 2022/2023.
Singapore is working to open more doors for persons with disabilities (PwDs) as part of its vision for a more inclusive society. Initiatives like the Open Door Programme, Enabling Employment Credit, and Enabling Mark encourage employers to hire inclusively and have helped raise the employment rate of PwDs aged 15–64 from 28.2% in 2018/2019 to 32.7% in 2022/2023.
To reach its 40% target by 2030, efforts focus on
To reach its 40% target by 2030, efforts focus on
Helping employers build
inclusive hiring practices
Helping employers build
inclusive hiring practices
Creating short-term or gig opportunities for PwDs
Creating short-term or
gig opportunities for PwDs
Creating short-term or
gig opportunities for PwDs
Equipping job coaches to match individuals with roles
Equipping job coaches
to match individuals with roles
Equipping job coaches
to match individuals with roles
Together, these measures are expected to place an additional 4,500 PwDs in meaningful employment by 2030.
Together, these measures are expected to place an additional 4,500 PwDs in meaningful employment by 2030.
Learning by Doing
Learning by Doing
Kopi Teh Makan
Kopi Teh Makan
Kopi Teh Makan (KTM) is a 9-month vocational programme by Ray of Hope, Flour Power, and Foundry that gives youths with autism hands-on experience in the F&B world. It helps them build practical skills, confidence, and independence — and gives families a little breathing space too.
Kopi Teh Makan (KTM) is a 9-month vocational programme by Ray of Hope, Flour Power, and Foundry that gives youths with autism hands-on experience in the F&B world. It helps them build practical skills, confidence, and independence — and gives families a little breathing space too.
grow at their own pace
grow at
their own pace
grow at
their own pace
The programme is centred on each young person, helping them grow at their own pace while learning the routines, etiquette, and teamwork needed in real workplaces.
The programme is centred on each young person, helping them grow at their own pace while learning the routines, etiquette, and teamwork needed in real workplaces.
Training
Training
Learning coffee and tea preparation, and workplace etiquette with Flour Power
Learning coffee and tea preparation, and workplace etiquette with Flour Power
deployment
deployment
Gaining real-world experience at Foundry and corporate pop-ups
Gaining real-world experience at Foundry and corporate pop-ups
Job Coaching & Mentorship
Job Coaching
Guidance for professional and emotional growth
Guidance for professional and emotional growth
Advocacy
Advocacy
Encouraging inclusive workplaces and showing what youths with autism can achieve
Encouraging inclusive workplaces and showing what youths with autism can achieve
We aim to empower our students — and their families — to thrive in inclusive communities, with a focus on person-centred support in learning, work, and daily life
We aim to empower our students — and their families — to thrive in inclusive communities, with a focus on person-centred support in learning, work, and daily life
Sean
Hello! My favourite drink is ice water.
Sean
Sean
Jolin
Hello! My favourite drink is coffee & tea.
Jolin
Jolin
Tyron
Sharlene
Hello! My favourite drink is coke zero.
Tyron
Hello! My favourite drink is coke zero.
Tyron
Hello! My favourite drink is latte.
Sharlene
Hello! My favourite drink is latte.
Sharlene
Hello! My favourite drink is cold water.
Alex
Hello! My favourite drink is cold water.
Alex
Hello! My favourite drink is mango juice.
Mohan
Hello! My favourite drink is mango juice.
Mohan
Tyron
Tyron
Sharlene
Sharlene
Alex
Alex
Mohan
Mohan
Hear from Their Stories
Hear from
Their Stories
Hear from
Their Stories
Every smile reflects resilience and the support behind it, revealing the challenges they face and the small, meaningful shifts that happen when they’re given understanding and room to grow.
Every smile reflects resilience and the support behind it, revealing the challenges they face and the small, meaningful shifts that happen when they’re given understanding and room to grow.
Bridging the Post-18 Cliff
Bridging the Post-18 Cliff
Bridging the Post-18 Cliff
Bridging the Post-18 Cliff
How Ray of Hope is Opening Corporate Doors for Youths with Disabilities
How Ray of Hope is Opening Corporate Doors for Youths with Disabilities
Every office has a pantry. Coffee machines hum, snack jars clatter, and employees drift by for a quick break. But what if that ordinary space could become a hub for social impact? That was the idea behind Kopi Teh Makan (KTM), a programme that transforms corporate offices into temporary “community centres” for youths with disabilities. By opening their doors, corporate partners offer a safe, structured environment where these young people can learn, engage, and practice real-world skills.
Every office has a pantry. Coffee machines hum, snack jars clatter, and employees drift by for a quick break. But what if that ordinary space could become a hub for social impact? That was the idea behind Kopi Teh Makan (KTM), a programme that transforms corporate offices into temporary “community centres” for youths with disabilities. By opening their doors, corporate partners offer a safe, structured environment where these young people can learn, engage, and practice real-world skills.
For the youths themselves, the stakes are high. Leaving school at 18 often means stepping off what advocates call the “post-18 cliff.” Structured lessons and predictable routines vanish, replaced by uncertainty, leaving many struggling to find purpose, social engagement, or employment. It was this gap that motivated Ray of Hope to launch KTM, connecting young graduates of special education schools with corporates ready to make a difference.
For the youths themselves, the stakes are high. Leaving school at 18 often means stepping off what advocates call the “post-18 cliff.” Structured lessons and predictable routines vanish, replaced by uncertainty, leaving many struggling to find purpose, social engagement, or employment. It was this gap that motivated Ray of Hope to launch KTM, connecting young graduates of special education schools with corporates ready to make a difference.
Ray of Hope serves vulnerable individuals with emerging needs who may not be eligible for other support schemes. Dr Alicia Altorfer-Ong, executive director of the charity, recalls the spark of the initiative. “Seeing this gap firsthand, we wanted to do something,” she said. “It felt providential that we had a conversation with Tolaram, a corporate partner eager to make a difference. That first pilot, with three youths, showed us it could work—and also gave us a way to introduce Ray of Hope to other corporates.”
Ray of Hope serves vulnerable individuals with emerging needs who may not be eligible for other support schemes. Dr Alicia Altorfer-Ong, executive director of the charity, recalls the spark of the initiative. “Seeing this gap firsthand, we wanted to do something,” she said. “It felt providential that we had a conversation with Tolaram, a corporate partner eager to make a difference. That first pilot, with three youths, showed us it could work—and also gave us a way to introduce Ray of Hope to other corporates.”
The pilot programme began in December 2023. “What always surprised me was that at each session, a new skill would be learned or practiced. Each session brought small wins,” said Dr Altorfer-Ong. She cited how a youth who previously struggled with certain micro movements improved by the next session. One who wore noise-cancelling headphones gradually removed them, navigating sensory challenges with pride. Another, who had meltdowns early on, became more self-directed and comfortable later.
The pilot programme began in December 2023. “What always surprised me was that at each session, a new skill would be learned or practiced. Each session brought small wins,” said Dr Altorfer-Ong. She cited how a youth who previously struggled with certain micro movements improved by the next session. One who wore noise-cancelling headphones gradually removed them, navigating sensory challenges with pride. Another, who had meltdowns early on, became more self-directed and comfortable later.
The programme also offered caregivers a much-needed respite. “The feedback from them was incredibly affirming,” Dr Altorfer-Ong said. “Many realised their children had capabilities and resilience they hadn’t fully appreciated.”
The programme also offered caregivers a much-needed respite. “The feedback from them was incredibly affirming,” Dr Altorfer-Ong said. “Many realised their children had capabilities and resilience they hadn’t fully appreciated.”
The initial success encouraged Ray of Hope to expand. In 2024, the programme grew to six youths and included four corporate partners. Continuous feedback from caregivers and corporates informed improvements, reinforcing the initiative’s value. “It’s a learning journey for everyone,” said Dr Altorfer-Ong. “The youths discover their limits and push past them. Corporates learn how to create inclusive, supportive environments. And we, as organisers, learn what scaffolding each youth needs to thrive.”
The initial success encouraged Ray of Hope to expand. In 2024, the programme grew to six youths and included four corporate partners. Continuous feedback from caregivers and corporates informed improvements, reinforcing the initiative’s value. “It’s a learning journey for everyone,” said Dr Altorfer-Ong. “The youths discover their limits and push past them. Corporates learn how to create inclusive, supportive environments. And we, as organisers, learn what scaffolding each youth needs to thrive.”
A key enabler for corporates is the Foundry Forward Fund, which subsidises costs and lowers barriers to participation. That allows the programme to pay youths a small hourly wage of $10—often the first the salary they receive—showing that their time and effort are valued.
A key enabler for corporates is the Foundry Forward Fund, which subsidises costs and lowers barriers to participation. That allows the programme to pay youths a small hourly wage of $10—often the first the salary they receive—showing that their time and effort are valued.
Flour Power plays a critical role in preparing the youths. CEO Yeo Hiok Keat explained, “We train them on vocational skills like food safety, equipment handling, and following processes. We also guide them in social interaction—introducing themselves, serving others, and gaining confidence in articulating their thoughts. We push them, stretch them, and see how far they can grow as a person.”
Flour Power plays a critical role in preparing the youths. CEO Yeo Hiok Keat explained, “We train them on vocational skills like food safety, equipment handling, and following processes. We also guide them in social interaction—introducing themselves, serving others, and gaining confidence in articulating their thoughts. We push them, stretch them, and see how far they can grow as a person.”
The impact is measured in small but meaningful ways. Jolin, a current participant, was initially afraid of handling heat, but gained confidence preparing tea and coffee for corporate guests. “
The impact is measured in small but meaningful ways. Jolin, a current participant, was initially afraid of handling heat, but gained confidence preparing tea and coffee for corporate guests. “
Ray of Hope hopes to expand KTM further, aiming to involve 50–60 participants by 2026. While the programme currently serves a small number of graduates from special schools, it demonstrates how micro-gigs can act as stepping stones to more advanced opportunities such as workplace placements or training.
Ray of Hope hopes to expand KTM further, aiming to involve 50–60 participants by 2026. While the programme currently serves a small number of graduates from special schools, it demonstrates how micro-gigs can act as stepping stones to more advanced opportunities such as workplace placements or training.
KTM is proof that collaboration can turn silent challenges into meaningful opportunities. “My sensing is the need and the demand is very much higher than the supply of these roles,” said Dr Altorfer-Ong. “We have to be intentional and prepared to put in resources to create the kind of community, future, and alternate pathways for youths—and for the broader community—we want to see out there.” Not just helping youths gain skills, Ray of Hope is showing that inclusion is possible, one office pantry at a time.
KTM is proof that collaboration can turn silent challenges into meaningful opportunities. “My sensing is the need and the demand is very much higher than the supply of these roles,” said Dr Altorfer-Ong. “We have to be intentional and prepared to put in resources to create the kind of community, future, and alternate pathways for youths—and for the broader community—we want to see out there.” Not just helping youths gain skills, Ray of Hope is showing that inclusion is possible, one office pantry at a time.
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