Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) and Accessibility

1. Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) and Accessibility 1st Asia-Pacific CBR Congress, Bangkok Feb 19, 2009 Session B2: 15.30-17.00 C. Mahesh CBR Forum

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Following are Some Experiencesfrom the community

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

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

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

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

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

14. Despite much advancements, the humble Tricycle/ bamboo stick is the only available resource that fuels independent living for the poor in rural areas

15. Systems at Block Development Office where persons with disabilities have to go for their social security benefits are often insensitive

16. 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

17. Education for All Campaign – has resulted in greater access for children with disabilities to Primary Education

18. Due to limited access to secondary/ higher education/ vocational skills persons withdisabilities have limited or no sustainable livelihood

19. In some Cities/ Towns, innovations in private transport such as the Modified Scooters/ Bikes have greatly enhanced mobility and changed lives

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

21. Solutions that have worked and being tried in CBR

22. Organising persons with disabilities at various level and developing critical thinking

23. Making use of the Laws/ Policies/ Guidelines • CPWD “Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier-Free Built Environment” in1998 • Persons with Disabilities Act 1996 • Chapter VIII, (sections 44 to 46) - Non-discrimination - transport/ environment - within economic capacity • 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 • 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 • India – Signing and Ratifying UNCRPD

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

25. Dialoging with Govt. Officials by the DPOs

26. Getting the support from the media

27. 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

28. 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

29. Thank you “Namaste”

30. For further details or information please contact: C. Mahesh Advocacy Coordinator CBR Forum 14, C.K Garden, Wheelers Road Extn., St. Thomas Town Post, Bangalore – 560 084 Tel: +91-80- 2549 7387 advocacy.cbrforum@gmail.com admin@cbrforum.in www.cbrforum.in