For People With Vision Loss
In this section, you will find information on:
Vision Loss
If you are finding it difficult to perform your daily tasks or errands outside home, you may wish to contact Guide Dogs Singapore for training. We train our clients on the critical skills needed to live as independently as possible. They include Orientation & Mobility skills, daily living skills and IT skills. Our goal is to help you regain your normal routine as much as possible.
Our training is provided free of charge or at a nominal fee for citizens and permanent residents.
Contact us or call 6339 7900 to find out more.
If you wish to purchase the white canes and/or tinted glasses, do contact us too.
You may also wish to tap on schemes by SGEnable for people with disabilities.
Common Types of Vision Loss
Below is a visual demonstration to show the different types of vision loss.



Early Stage Glaucoma


Late Stage Glaucoma



Early Stage RP


Late Stage RP


Night Blindness in RP


General Resources for People with Vision Loss
Types of Canes You Can Use and Cane Tips
If you are a white cane user or considering using one to improve your safety and mobility, you can find out more via VisionAware website. White canes should only be used in conjunction with proper training by Orientation & Mobility Specialists. We provide the first white cane at no cost to clients who embark on a training programme with us.
Tips, Techniques and Useful Equipment
There are many tips and techniques you can learn on your own to retain your independence. The link to VisionAware below provides useful resources for you to manage your daily tasks. Our Specialists can support you in this area too. We can help you with home modification to create a space in which you can easily and safely carry out essential daily tasks. Training is conducted at your residence to ensure the equipment and space used are familiar to you, the client.
GDS Resource Videos
How to Locate Dropped Objects
Identifying and Differentiating Bottles
Cutting Techniques Tutorial
Guide Dog Users
Download the Guide Dog User Manual (abridged version) to read more about guide dog care and management.
Cane or Canine
This is a group information session to give participants a better understanding of the differences between white cane and Guide Dog use. It is aimed at vision-impaired individuals who are evaluating their mobility options. If you are keen to know more, please contact us.
How to Handle Rejections and Access Issues
The law allows for Guide Dogs to access all public places and transport, with the exception of places with critical hygiene controls* or potential danger**. However, some people are not aware of this. Hence, this might result in Guide Dog users being turned away or refused entry.
* E.g. Operating theatres and intensive care units in hospitals
** E.g. The zoo, where dogs can be viewed as prey to some animals
We would like to share some tips on how to handle access issues.
Public Areas
(e.g. shopping malls/MRT stations and bus interchanges/hawker centres)
Shops and Other Establishments
(e.g. retail shops, restaurants, cafes)
Do note that some shops and eating places are unaware of Guide Dog access laws. They presumed that Guide Dogs are not allowed into their premises due to licensing concerns. This is often the main reason behind such rejections.
Transport (Public/Private)
Guide dogs are allowed by Singapore law in all public transportation, including MRT, buses, and Taxis. However, regulations may differ between companies for private hire transport. In general, it is a good practice to inform the driver beforehand that you have a guide dog with you by leaving a note during the booking. You may also call to inform the driver.
To date, ComfortDelGro has the most comprehensive policy on guide dog accessibility.
ComfortDelGro
Should any vision impaired individuals encounter any difficulties, they can write in to ComfortDelGro (email: feedback@cdgtaxi.com.sg) or contact their hotline (6555 1188) and ComfortDelGro will assist them.
Strides Taxi
Should any vision impaired individuals encounter any difficulties, they can write in to Strides Taxi (email: enquiries@stridesmobility.sg) or contact their hotline (6555 8888) and Strides Taxi will assist them.
Click here to find out the legislation on guide dogs. Should you face rejections, you may also direct the staff to this section.
Oftentimes, rejection and access issues are a result of ignorance and lack of awareness.
At Guide Dogs Singapore we understand that many of our Guide Dog users face this regularly. Hence, we seek to use every opportunity to educate the public. We hope that with every access issue, at least a few more people will be made aware of the difference that Guide Dogs can make to a person’s life.
The Animal Clinic
The Animal Clinic is our designated vet clinic.
Katong Branch
Contact: 6440 4767 / 6440 2336
Clementi Branch
Contact: 6776 3450 / 6777 0273
After hours emergency contact
6333 5550
Travelling Overseas
A number of airlines allow Guide Dogs to travel with their handlers in the cabin. However, you will have to call them to make a direct booking and specify that you have a Guide Dog travelling with you. Different airlines have different protocols and documentation that need to be submitted during booking. Thus, do check with them directly.
You are reminded to enquire about the vaccination and quarantine requirements. These prerequisites govern both exit and entry of your Guide Dog to the destination country.
You will need to check with the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) about the requirements for returning with your Guide Dog from the destination country. In addition, you will need to be aware of the laws governing Guide Dog access at the destination country.
Technology for People with Vision Loss
Useful Apps
In addition to the common apps that we use on a daily basis, there are also apps that play an important role in the daily lives of someone with vision loss. This ranges from apps for transportation, to apps helping a vision-impaired individual make sense of visual content. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and serves to provide examples for certain use cases.
The following is a list of some of the commonly used apps for individuals with vision impairment:
Web Resources
A great wealth of information for and/or related to vision impairment and accessibility can be found online. The following are some resources for accessing different services and information.
Lifestyle
Technology Resources
Online resources are available, dedicated to iOS and Android, where reviews of devices, software and app updates are shared.
Personal Banking
We have received reports from time to time that vision impaired persons have been prevented from opening individual bank accounts, or getting access to ATM cards or other banking facilities. This has been reported to have happened at various banks, including our local banks.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has shared that the 3 local banks (DBS, OCBC, UOB) have affirmed that they do open bank accounts for vision impaired customers in their own names, and their frontline staff are trained to assist these customers (including explaining the features of bank accounts and risks of account misuse/scams). MAS has issued a reminder to the local banks to be mindful of vision impaired customers’ banking access needs. Should individuals with vision impairment encounter difficulties in opening bank accounts, they can write in to MAS (email: consumers@mas.gov.sg) and MAS will assist them with their appeals.
Special thanks to the Disability Office of the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) for facilitating communications on this matter.
Videos
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