Roundtable 2:

Strengthening NGO capacity to deliver community-based services to persons with disabilities

Community-based services to persons with disabilities What do these services currently encompass?

What framework, values and principles guide this work?

Community based rehabilitation as disability inclusive development

Key Changes in the History of Community Based Rehabilitation

Initially seen as therapy / medical rehabilitation in a community setting rather than an institution

1994 – intersectoral, equalisation of opportunities, social integration, community development

2004 – disability rights, social inclusion, poverty reduction 2010 – CBR matrix and Guidelines

What is Community Based Rehabilitation?

Community Based Rehabilitation is a strategy within community development for the rehabilitation, equalisation of opportunities and social inclusion of all adults and children with disabilities. CBR is implemented through the combined efforts of disabled people themselves, their families and communities and the appropriate health, education, vocational and social services. (ILO, UNESCO, WHO, 2004)

Understanding CBR in South Africa

86 respondents out of 367 emails & telephone calls Responses from 7 provinces: Eastern Cape, Gauteng,

KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape, Western Cape as well as national representatives

Respondents from NGOs, DPOs, government departments and hospitals, private hospitals, municipalities and universities

Survey Results

Survey Results

Survey Results Comments on CBR in South Africa

“I have struggled to come across practical examples of how CBR has been implemented in South Africa. [It is] Completely underestimated and not publicized enough. People who are not in the health sector don’t know about CBR.” Therapist, Eastern Cape

“Great policies. Total lack of appropriate political commitment and necessary negotiation to operationalise… Therapists, DPOs & other implementers often lack the skills … to develop CBR programmes & the structural support (e.g. staff mandates, budget) are lacking” Researcher & activist, Western Cape

“CBR implementation guidelines should be developed at government level with adequate resources. A study of the impact of the projects implemented by different agencies should be put together so as to gain some lessons.”

Person with a disability, KwaZulu Natal

CBR matrix in practice in South Africa

• CBR Guidelines – Empowerment component, Political participation element • The role of CBR is to ensure that:

people with disabilities and their families have the information, skills and knowledge to enable them to participate in politics, and have access to opportunities to participate;

CBR matrix in practice in South Africa

• WPRPD – Pillar 6: Strengthening the representative voice of persons with disabilities

• CRPD – Article 29: • State parties shall …ensure that

persons with disabilities can effectively and fully participate in political life directly or through freely chosen representatives

• CBR Guidelines – Social component, justice element • The role of CBR is to promote awareness of the

rights of persons with disabilities and provide support to persons with disabilities and their family members to access justice where they face discrimination and exclusion.

CBR matrix in practice in South Africa

• WPRPD – Strategic Pillar 2 -Protecting the Rights of Persons at risk of Compounded Marginalisation • Strengthen recourse mechanisms

including improving access to courts

• CRPD – Article 13: Access to justice • States Parties shall promote

appropriate training for those working in the field of administration of justice

CBR matrix in practice in South Africa

• CBR Guidelines – Health component • The role of CBR is to: (i) ensure that people

with disabilities and their families are aware of the HIV/AIDS programmes and services in their communities; (ii) ensure that HIV/AIDS programmes and services are accessible for people with disabilities and their families;

CBR matrix in practice in South Africa

• WPRPD - Pillar 4: Promoting and Supporting Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities • Ensure all HIV and AIDS prevention

and treatment programmes are accessible to persons with disabilities

• CRPD – Article 25: Health • Persons with disabilities have the

right to the highest attainable standard of health

CBR matrix in practice in South Africa

Challenges and bottlenecks

Lack of understanding of current form of CBR

Intersectoral budgeting and management and control

Many NGOs currently funded by DSD do not understand CBR

DSD currently mainly funds social workers, DoH sometimes funds peer counsellors

Who will do the work in other components of CBR?

How does this work get funded?