Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) and Accessibility

C. Mahesh

CBR Forum

1st Asia-Pacific

CBR Congress, Bangkok

Feb 19, 2009

Session B2: 15.30-17.00

CBR and Accessibility

• This presentation is based on the work of CBR Forum and our partner NGOs

• However, this presentation may not cover all aspects of access

Highlight of this presentation

• This presentation focuses on Article 9 – Accessibility of CRPD - Living Independently and Being Included in the Community

• Highlights some of the barriers faced by persons with disabilities in rural areas

• Practices/ strategies adopted by CBR programmes in catalyzing change

CBR Forum, Bangalore, India

• Established in 1996 (12 Years ago), engaged in promoting CBR in remote/ rural/ least served areas

• Our purpose is to work with – all Persons with Disabilities, their families,

communities, organizations and institutions – on empowerment and inclusion of Persons

with Disabilities – by facilitating disabled people’s organizations – to address the gaps that exist at various

levels• Currently we are working in partnership

with over 80 Partner NGOs in 17 states, reaching out to approximately 40,000 Persons with Disabilities

The major Barriers to Access are• Attitudinal Barriers - Family/ Community • Physical Barriers – in the internal and external

environment• Availability of Information/ Communication in

accessible formats• Institutional Barriers – E.g. Rules/ Practices of

educational/ financial institutions, barriers in accessing social security schemes such as Employment Guarantee/ Poverty alleviation Programmes

Among persons with disabilities, the rules are not the same

Gender, age and the type of impairment are factors that directly influence level of access

Accessible Environment means -

Creating and maintaining environments in which people can participate

• In a dignified way

• With maximum independence and

• In an environment that is Safe and Affordable

Following are Some Experiences from the community

Access within/ outside the house is limited for a majority of persons with disabilities

There are instances where houses have been adapted to promote greater independence

There are instances where houses have been adapted to promote greater independence

Non-Availability of Appropriate Rehabilitation Services further restricts/ limits access and affects self esteem

Shared/ Public Transport most often is not available for persons with disabilities

Despite much advancements, the humble Tricycle/ bamboo stick is the only available resource that

fuels independent living for the poor in rural areas

Systems at Block Development Office where persons with disabilities have to go for their social

security benefits are often insensitive

Lack of Access Leading to DependencyFor greater accountability payments of social security

schemes are routed through the Banks, however a majority of the banks are inaccessible.

Eg. In Lohardaga, Jharkhand, the only bank in the entire district is in the first floor

Education for All Campaign – has resulted in greater access for children with disabilities

to Primary Education

Due to limited access to secondary/ higher education/ vocational skills persons with

disabilities have limited or no sustainable livelihood

In some Cities/ Towns, innovations in private transport such as the Modified Scooters/ Bikes

have greatly enhanced mobility and changed lives

Access in Hilly terrain is a major challengeCBR Programme in Aizawl, Mizoram

Solutions that have worked and being tried in CBR

Organising persons with disabilities at various level and developing critical thinking

1. CPWD “Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier-Free Built Environment” in1998

2. Persons with Disabilities Act 1996 • Chapter VIII, (sections 44 to 46) - Non-discrimination -

transport/ environment - within economic capacity

3. National Building Code (NBC 2005) • Bureau of Indian Standards - for all construction• Annex D – Clause 12.21 – Special Requirements for

Planning of Public Buildings Meant for use of Physically Challenged

4. 11th Five Year Plan (2007-12) • 3% Annual Outlay of all Dept./ Ministries for PWDs• Setting up - ‘National Institute of Universal Design’• Amending building bye-laws across the country

5. India – Signing and Ratifying UNCRPD

Making use of the Laws/ Policies/ Guidelines

Enabling/ Ensuring Persons with Disabilities speak up for their Rights – through Block Level Advocacy Programmes

Dialoging with Govt. Officials by the DPOs

Getting the support from the media

When local DPOs have demanded, barriers to access have been removed

Some examples:• Enrolment of children with disabilities in Govt. school and

provision of appropriate support in the school• Home based education • Change of class room to ground floor • Employment for persons with disabilities under National

Rural Employment Guarantee Programme• Demanding and Ensuring barrier free access in primary

schools, Block Development/ Dist. Collector’s Office, Health Centres

• District authorities scheduling one day in a month to address grievances of persons with disabilities

To conclude: In a CBR Programme, a lot can be achieved when• We believe in the abilities of poor persons with

disabilities• Persons with disabilities from the local community are

in the forefront of all advocacy and lobbying actions• By building a vibrant disabled people’s organisation at

various levels starting from the village• By being optimistic• By collective actions• By framing the demand and taking up actions within

the legal framework

Thank you

“Namaste”

For further details or information please contact:

C. MaheshAdvocacy Coordinator

CBR Forum14, C.K Garden, Wheelers Road Extn.,

St. Thomas Town Post, Bangalore – 560 084Tel: +91-80- 2549 7387

advocacy.cbrforum@gmail.comadmin@cbrforum.in

www.cbrforum.in