Handicaps Welfare Association (HWA), founded in 1969 by a group of 23 persons to promote self-help and provide mutual support among the disabled in Singapore, is an organisation run by people with disabilities, for people with disabilities. It was first registered as the Singapore Handicaps Friendship Club. It later became known as Singapore Association for the Disabled in 1975. In 1976, it adopted the present name - Handicaps Welfare Association.

Over the last 42 years, HWA has progressed beyond the traditional areas of social and recreational activities. It has expanded and developed its range of services and taken on various innovative projects to meet the increasing and changing needs of its members.