CBR Practice and Inclusion: Persons with Disabilities in Northeast India

Abstract

Purpose: This paper explores the long-term impact of CBR programmes implemented in the Northeast region of India. The aim was to understand the ways in which targeted interventions led to changes in the lives of persons with disabilities and their families, to discern the extent of their inclusion within communities and any systemic changes brought about towards accessing their human rights. Method: Data was collected from three CBR programmes for persons with disabilities in Northeast India, 3 years after financial support to the programmes had stopped. Persons with disabilities were selected through stratified random sampling. In-depth interviews were conducted and the primary data was analysed in the light of the baseline and endline surveys/reports, reports of DPOs, and implementing agencies. Results: As a result of CBR initiatives and their sustainability after conclusion of the structured programmes, persons with disabilities, their families and communities experienced a change in the quality of their everyday lives and had better access to a range of rights and entitlements. Persons with disabilities also have improved status within their families and communities, enjoy better quality of relationships, play an active role in family and community decisionmaking, and gain dignity and respect. Conclusion and Implications: The CBR programmes brought visible changes in the lives of persons with disabilities in terms of self-sufficiency, independence, inclusion in education and within the community, as well as securing livelihoods. Those who benefited the most from the CBR programmes were persons with mild to moderate disabilities, while people with severe disabilities were pushed to the periphery, especially after cessation of the programmes. There is a need for continuous upgrading of skills and information/ knowledge among families, DPOs and communities so that advocacy for entitlements, rights and systemic changes is constant.