Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) is a community development strategy that aims at enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities (PWDs) within their community. 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

It emphasizes utilization of locally available resources including beneficiaries, the families of PWDs and the community. According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, comprehensive rehabilitation services focusing on health, employment, education and social services are needed to enable PWDs/CWDs attain and maintain maximum independence, full physical, mental, social and vocational ability, and full inclusion and participation in all aspects of life (UN, 2006).

CAN as an organisation was born out of the resolutions of the first Africa CBR conference, which took place in Uganda in 2001 at the Uganda National Institute of Special Education (UNISE)

At this conference, members felt that there were four areas for action: (a) to initiate the formation of national CBR Associations; (b) to improve the capacity for sharing information about good CBR practice (c) to review CBR training programmes in order to promote their synchronisation; and (d) to organise regular CBR conferences in Africa, starting with one in 2004..

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The CBR matrix gives an overall visual representation of CBR. The matrix illustrates the different sectors, which can make up a CBR strategy. It consists of five key components, each divided into five key elements. Each of these elements will have a dedicated chapter in the guidelines. The elements are sub-divided into content headings. Each element has between four to nine key content headings. The components and elements are underpinned by a number of principles which inform the work. These principles are intended to be translated into tangible ways of working and should be observable in programme activities.

It is a ‘pick and mix’ series of options, a set of components and elements from which the practitioner can select. Any one programme may choose to address only some of the components and elements. The matrix should not be seen as sequential. At the same time, the implementer needs to be in touch with other key organizations that usually take care of other components/elements.

The CBR practitioner may choose: The most practical entry point for the programme, for example, an initiative on primary schooling or organizing parents of children with disabilities. The next logical steps to build up the programme, for example, an initiative on ante-natal and primary health care; And so on…until a coherent programme of appropriate components and elements is formed, supported by a strong set of cross-sector alliances and partnerships.