Community based rehabilitation

The World Health Organisation estimates that between 7 and 10 % of human beings are disabled in one way or another. About 80% of people with disabilities live in developing countries, and of these, less than 5% have access to health services.

This picture, as well as some positive experiences with home-based health service provision, has led to a re-think on how services can best be provided to people with disabilities. Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) is the product of this changed approach.

CBR has three main objectives:

• To enable disabled people to take care of themselves and to be as personally independent as possible
• To enable a disabled person to have social relationships and to take part in the activities of the community
• To enable a disabled person to contribute towards their own and their family's livelihood.

CBR covers a wide range of activities from medical check-ups, referrals and practical training to help with domestic tasks, or vocational training to help generate an income. This versatile approach means that people with disabilities receive aid tailored to fit their personal needs.

The CBR centre in Haiti, Centre du Coeur Eucharistique, focuses on providing medical check-ups, physiotherapy, referrals for orthopaedic surgery and early stimulation of children.

Emphasis is placed on involving and educating parents so children can build strong social relationships with the people around them. At the CBR project in Rwanda they organise house visits, day centres and holding clinics, as well as an extensive outreach programme. This method means that many more people with disabilities are identified and treated.