Abstract
Population of India has already crossed 1000 million. In a country dominated by poverty and illiteracy, Education and Rehabilitation Programme for the Disabled has taken a back seat. With a rural population of 74.3%, Indian Social and Economic conditions are most suitable for implementation of Community Based Rehabilitation programme (CBR) for the Disabled.
The Chetana Institute for the Mentally Handicapped, Bhubaneswar, has developed a model of CBR Programme for implementation in one Community Development Block having an approximate population of 100,000. The first activity of the project is recruitment of 3 CBR workers having Diploma in Special Education. Other activities of the Project include conduction of door to door survey for identification and assessment of disabled persons; development of home based training and education programme for each disabled child; supply of teaching-aid, and aid and appliances; orientation programme for the community leaders, village level workers, and social workers; training programme for parents on home based management, and understanding of disabled persons; printing and production of literature on disability in regional language; and formation of Block/District Level Association of the disabled persons, their parents, professionals, and social workers. Vocational Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons is the ultimate objective of CBR Programme.
At present, Chetana is implementing CBR Programme in 17 Blocks. The programme is initially designed for a period of 3 years.
 |
 |