CBR (Community Based Rehabilitation )

The aim of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) is to help people with disabilities, by establishing community-based programs for social integration, equalization of opportunities, and Physical therapy (Physiotherapy) rehabilitation programs for the disabled. The strength of CBR programs is that they can be made available in rural areas, with limited infrastructure, as program leadership is not restricted to professionals in healthcare, educational, Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy vocational or social services. Rather, CBR programs involve the people with disabilities themselves, their families and communities, as well as appropriate professionals.

Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) was initiated by WHO following the Declaration of Alma-Ata in 1978 in an effort to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families; meet their basic needs; and ensure their inclusion and participation. While initially a strategy to increase access to rehabilitation services in resource-constrained settings, CBR is now a multi sectoral approach working to improve the equalization of opportunities and social inclusion of people with disabilities while combating the perpetual cycle of poverty and disability. CBR is implemented through the combined efforts of people with disabilities, their families and communities, and relevant government and non-government health, education, vocational, social and other services.

Community Based Rehabilitation, or CBR, is becoming increasingly recognized as an appropriate model of service delivery to provide effective rehabilitation and therapy services to rural and remote communities, with particular relevance for remote and rural Indigenous communities.

In simple terms, CBR refers to the delivery of basic services to disabled people within their community, including all services necessary to improve the participation and functioning in daily activity. More broadly, the UNESCO and WHO define CBR, as:

A strategy within community development for rehabilitation, equalization of opportunities, and social inclusion for all children and adults with disabilities. CBR is implemented through the combined efforts of people with disabilities themselves, their families and communities, and appropriate health, education, vocation and social services.

The basic concept of CBR centers on decentralizing responsibility and resources, both human and financial, to community level organizations. CBR models are based on a collaborative relationship between the Allied Health Professional, Community Based Workers and the broader community.

While traditional rehabilitation frameworks tend to be based on a medical model CBR is built on a social, community focused, frameworks. This community orientation is designed to address barriers (medical, social and cultural) that affect a person’s ability to engage in activities and participate in the community, and build the capacity of remote and rural communities.

 Benefits of Community Based Rehabilitation

CBR has many benefits for both the clients and the clinician, particularly in remote and rural practice settings. For communities, CBR increases the accessibility of rehabilitation and therapy services for clients. These models increase the services available to people living in rural and remote areas and allow clients to stay in their communities when receiving therapy services.

Additionally, the community development orientation of CBR builds on community capacity and both the individual and community level. At the individual level, CBR models facilitate the training and employment of Community Based Workers, increasing the skills, income, and employability of local community members. At a community level the collaborative relationship between communities and health services empowers communities and develops leadership.

For the clinician, CBR increases the service coverage that can be achieved. It also reduces the frequency of travel to communities, and as a consequence saves time and money. Activities and achievements of Blind People’s Association – Bareja hospital Complex;

CBR Achievement in Project under go BPA Bareja Unit

Total No of persons with disabilities (PWDs) identified in Dholka Taluka

S.N	Total person no of screening in camp	Male	Female
1	1235	505	318

 

Disabilities wise breakup of PWDs identified in Dholka Taluka 

 

S.N	Type of Disability	Total no of  screening	Male	Female
1	Physical Impairment	823	505	318
2	Mental Retardation	232	156	76
3	Cerebral palsy	23	18	05
4	Hearing Impairment	85	43	42
5	Visual Impairment	66	42	24
6	Mental Illness	06	03	03

 

Total No of PWDs identified in Bavala Taluka  

 

S.N	Total  no PWDs identified	Male	Female
1	276	171	105

 

Disabilities wise breakup of PWDs in Bavala Taluka

 

S.N	Type of Disability	Total no of  screening	Male	Female
1	Physical Impairment	175	106	69
2	Mental Retardation	50	35	15
3	Cerebral palsy	16	10	06
4	Hearing Impairment	17	09	08
5	Visual Impairment	16	09	07
6	Mental Illness	02	02	00