Disability and rehabilitation
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This commentary provides both theoretical and practical insights into the concept of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) and its application in developing countries. In doing so it explores current practices in CBR and the debate surrounding them, namely the ethical question and how this may impact on future CBR. The main argument in this account is that disability is a development issue; with widespread poverty, inequality and violation of human rights, and should be addressed within the broader context of community development which may include strategies such as CBR. ⋯ This background emphasizes that new directions in CBR need to be put in place in order to maximize the realization of the ultimate goal: the greatest participation for disabled people in all spheres of life. Effective rehabilitation programmes should allow people with disability to have greater control in the nature of their rehabilitation and that the role of professionals and other stakeholders is one of allies and resources in the rehabilitation process. Moreover, the participation of community members in the rehabilitation policy should be assured.