Practice and Challenges of the Uog-CBR Program for Persons with Disabilities in the Central Gondar Zone

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to assess the practice and challenges of community based rehabilitation(CBR) in selected districts in Centeral Gondar Zone. In order to meet the study objectives descriptive design was employed, and qualitative approach was used. The participants of the study were 12person with disabilities, 6 parents, 1 assistant program coordinator, 3 community based rehabilitation workers (CBR), 6 teachers and 6 organization of person with disabilities (DPO)members. The data were collected through interview, focus group discussion and observation. Data analysis was done using thematic analysis. The findings of the study pointed out that the involvement stakeholders were almost all limited to the implementation of activities of program. However, they didn’t participate in planning and evaluation activities of the program. The findings also showed that the program provided different educational and livelihood services for PWDs. These educational services are: provision of necessary teaching learning resources, making different facilities of some school accessible and provision of home to home rehabilitation services such as sign language training, training on social skills and self care. Whereas livelihood services are: provision of vocational training and startup capital. In addition, regarding observed changes in the lives of person with disabilities, the finding revealed that different changes observed on the education and livelihood of person with disabilities. These are, in their education, some of them got educational oppourtunity, improvement of social skills and fulfillment of their educational needs, whereas in their livelihood, some person with disabilities started to lead an independent life and become self-reliant. On the contrary, the majority of person with disabilities didn’t observe change in their livelihood as a result of program intervention. Moreover, the study revealed that the existing challenges in the process of implementing educational and livelihood matrix of the program. These are, in education matrix: negative attitude of school community, shortage of assistive devices, inaccessibility of school facilities and poverty. Whereas, in livelihood matrix: disagreement among person with disabilities to work together, low expectation of the capabilities of person with disabilities by themselves, lowness of startup capital given from the program and negative attitude of local government toward the issues of disability.Based on the findings obtained some recommendations such as ensuring involvement of stakeholders in overall activities of the program such as planning and evaluation, implement all components in the education and livelihood matrix and work more on awareness raising program in different disability issues.