Community-based Rehabilitation: The Indian Perspective

Abstract

Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR) is still in its infancy in India and developing countries but enjoys wide acceptability. Disability rehabilitation is primarily considered to be the responsibility of the family. The significant place of family, religion, and traditions to an individual cannot be overlooked in the success of any CBR movement in India. Poverty, negative attitude of the society, lack of access to education, and information are a few of the factors responsible for the slow growth of CBR. Policies and strategies initiated in the recent past by the Government and NGOs could be considered as a shift and maturity in the field. Now the welfare-based model of rehabilitation exists in the country in place of the earlier charity-based model. The need to accelerate the pace of CBR programs is required by the Government, NGOs, Institutions, Professionals, and, above all, by the disabled themselves.