Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR) by Self-help Groups of Persons with Disabilities in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Dr. Padmani Mendis initiated the Community-based Rehabilitation (CRB) by Self-help Groups of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kandy District, Sri Lanka, where 1.3 million people reside with 27,000 persons with disabilities. The village temple collaborated with this CBR project in providing a meeting place and a pre-school with inclusive education initiated by Self-help Groups of Persons with Disabilities in the village. Twenty Self-help Groups initiated the CBR project in 20 villages in the District. Each SHG group with about 20 members with disabilities is supported by the local government and a Non-governmental Organization (NGO), named FRIDSRO, which is funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).

Once a month the 20 Self-help Groups meet regularly along with representatives of the Local Government, NGO and the monks at the Buddhist Temple. They have been advocating for human rights.

Secondly, they initiated and supported inclusive education for 21 village children, including 7 disabled children. This CBR project is promoting accessible housing and village roads, as well as micro finances to promote income generation for members. They are also promoting cultural events as well as sports activities in the village by persons with disabilities.

A NGO collaborates with the Self-help Groups initiated by the CBR Project by providing training for trainers for PWDs. This CBR Project is a model for community development by APCD Director lectures on APCD the Self-help Groups at the village level.