Approaches to Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities: A Review

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are bona fide citizens in every country and as such have equal rights to development opportunities provided for other citizens of the nation. It is observed that a number of persons with disabilities have become a burden to the society, rather than contributing members of their communities and nation at large. This is because they have been neglected by society and the government has failed in its responsibility to properly empower and invest in them for national development. In addition, PWDs in some countries are negatively regarded as environmental nuisance and wastage in the society as many of them are involved in begging all because of lack of sustainable rehabilitation. In spite of the numerous challenges posed by the handicapping conditions, persons with disabilities are blessed with wide range of skills and talents which are needed for utilization and national development. If persons with disabilities are to be transformed into productive and independent, rather than remain a burden to the society, by extension, development of the nation, then there is need to invest in and empower them. This is where the issue of sustainable rehabilitation comes in. Therefore, this paper discusses the concept of rehabilitation, community based rehabilitation, typologies of rehabilitation services which entails medical, psycho-social, educational and vocational rehabilitation for persons with disabilities. Likewise, the paper ends with conclusion and recommendations.

Over the last few decades, there has been a growth in community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programmes in different parts of the world. These programmes are regarded as one way of strengthening the implementation of the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with disabilities.

Protocols, 1996

Community-based rehabilitation for people with physical and mental disabilities in low-and middle-income countries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2017 (3).

Campbell Systematic Reviews, 2015

The International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) is an international grant-making NGO promoting evidence-informed development policies and programmes. We are the global leader in funding, producing and synthesising high-quality evidence of what works, for whom, why and at what cost. We believe that better and policy-relevant evidence will make development more effective and improve people's lives. 3ie systematic reviews 3ie systematic reviews appraise and synthesise the available high-quality evidence on the effectiveness of social and economic development interventions in low-and middleincome countries. These reviews follow scientifically recognised review methods, and are peer-reviewed and quality assured according to internationally accepted standards. 3ie is providing leadership in demonstrating rigorous and innovative review methodologies, such as using theory-based approaches suited to inform policy and programming in the dynamic contexts and challenges of low-and middle-income countries. About this review Community-based rehabilitation for people with disabilities in low-and middle-income countries: a systematic review, was submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of grant SR3.1143 issued under Systematic Review Window 3. 3ie is publishing this report as received from the authors; it has been formatted to 3ie style. This review is available on the 3ie website. This review has also been published in the Campbell Collaboration Library and is available

Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development, 2014

There are some barriers that persons with different kinds of impairments commonly face, and there are also some impairment-specific barriers. Disaggregated data are needed to assess the impact of different CBR activities on different groups of persons with disabilities.

2016

Promoting handwashing and sanitation behaviour change in low-and middle-income countries A mixed-method systematic review June 2017 About 3ie The International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) is an international grant-making NGO promoting evidence-informed development policies and programmes. We are the global leader in funding, producing and synthesising high-quality evidence of what works, for whom, how, why and at what cost. We believe that using better and policy-relevant evidence helps to make development more effective and improve people's lives. 3ie systematic reviews 3ie systematic reviews appraise and synthesise the available high-quality evidence on the effectiveness of social and economic development interventions in low-and middle-income countries. These reviews follow scientifically recognised review methods, and are peerreviewed and quality assured according to internationally accepted standards. 3ie is providing leadership in demonstrating rigorous and innovative review methodologies, such as using theory-based approaches suited to inform policy and programming in the dynamic contexts and challenges of low-and middle-income countries. About this review Promoting handwashing and sanitation behaviour change in low-and middle-income countries: a mixed-method systematic review, was submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of grant SR8.1014 awarded under Systematic Review Window 8. This review is available on the 3ie website. 3ie is publishing this technical report as received from the authors; it has been formatted to 3ie style, however the tables and figures have not been reformatted. 3ie will also publish a brief and a summary report of this review, designed for use by decision makers, which is forthcoming. This review has also been published in the Campbell Collaboration Library and is available here.

The International Journal of Humanities & Social Studies

Challenges of Community-Based Rehabilitation as an Empowerment Tool for Rural People with Disabilities in Umguza District, Zimbabwe 1. Introduction The education, care, treatment, and observation of rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) worldwide have largely been influenced by society's stereotypes, beliefs, and perceptions (Munyi, 2012). In the past decades, such persons were generally viewed as subhuman and, therefore, considered incapable of benefiting from the availed education system or contributing to the socioeconomic development of any society. In nomadic tribes, (PWDs) were considered useless because they could not contribute to food gathering or the wealth of the tribe (Burnett, 2013). The Greeks sought rational explanations for disability with insufficient medical science. They reached such conclusions as epilepsy is a disturbance of the mind and that people who are deaf cannot learn without verbal communication (Davis, 2006). Some early Christians brought a gentler approach, focusing on sympathy and pity towards (PWDs). However, sympathy and pity led to condescension and paternalism, resulting in a general loss of autonomy. As the attraction to supernaturalism increased during the Middle Ages, Christians became fearful of (PWDs) and ridiculed them (Shreve, 2011). This ridicule often turned to persecution and 'impurity' transformed into a vision of disability as a manifestation of evil. In some societies and tribes, they were hidden, segregated, discriminated against, or even killed. Concurrent to this, Hardman, Drew, and Egan (1999) posit that people who were perceived as different were vulnerable to practices such as infanticide, slavery, physical abuse, and abandonment. This maltreatment continued until the period of the renaissance, which brought new strides in medical science and treatment for people with disabilities. During this time, the 'charity model' and 'medical model' began determining attitudes towards disability. Education was gradually made available to affected individuals for the first time in recorded western history. An enlightened approach to social norms and dreams for a better future seemed to encourage active participation of (PWDs) in their communities (Wheatley, 2010). The charity model led to the promotion of institutionalisation during the renaissance period as a method of doing 'what is best' for those with disabilities. From the Renaissance through World War II, society believed that PWDs might be

2009

The role of disabled people in CBR is increasingly being seen as of vital importance for the success of CBR. In actual fact participation of disabled people and self advocacy have become two of the principles of CBR as seen by the World Health Organisation and associated organszations behind the new CBR thinking. This paper deals with the position and role of disabled people themselves in CBR programmes. It critically looks into the role Disabled Peoples’ Organisations in terms of promoting equal access to essential and acceptable quality of rehabilitation programmes for all and especially the poor of this world. It is argued that DPOs should join the ranks of those (professionals) who are committed to ensure that rehabilitation becomes accessible to all. The current global situation of an ever widening gap between the ‘ones who have and those who don’t have’ requires a critical reflection on ones’ own work in CBR and DPO development. We cannot permit ourselves anymore a division am...

There are some barriers that persons with different kinds of impairments commonly face, and there are also some impairment-specific barriers. Disaggregated data are needed to assess the impact of different CBR activities on different groups of persons with disabilities.

2016

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are currently one billion people living with disabilities, of which 80 per cent live in low-and middle-income countries (L&MICs). Physical, intellectual, mental or sensory impairments affect people's active participation in society. Disabled people are often stigmatised, and lack social and economic opportunities, potentially leading them further into poverty. A focus on disability-related issues is therefore key for a holistic approach to international development with a human rights perspective. What is community-based rehabilitation? Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) is a WHO-endorsed strategy for rehabilitation, poverty reduction, equalisation of opportunities and social inclusion of people living with disabilities. Inspired by participatory development approaches, CBR is designed to work by including people with disabilities in existing services as well as by creating new interventions. CBR initiatives are delivered at the community level using local resources to ensure they are adapted to local needs and are cost-effective. Does community-based rehabilitation improve lives of people with disabilities? andy isaacson/dfat Main findings Impact of CBR on physical disabilities Home-based healthcare and rehabilitation and education interventions were effective for stroke survivors. Impact of CBR on mental disabilities Effective in lowering relapse and repeated hospitalisation among people with schizophrenia in China, India and South Africa. Significant improvement in the clinical status and quality of life for the caregivers of dementia patients. Livelihood and social inclusion outcomes Increased occupational activity among people living with schizophrenia. No encouraging results for social inclusion.