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(WHO).
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).
