What is CBR?

“A strategy within community development for the rehabilitation, equalisation of opportunities, poverty reduction, and social inclusion of all people with disabilities.”

• Community participation and community ownership of programmes
• People with disabilities, like everyone else, should have equitable and barrier-free access to all services and opportunities, such as health services, education, poverty alleviation and livelihood programmes, social justice, cultural and religious events, and to social relationships. 
• The central role of people with disabilities their families and their organisations (DPOs) in implementing and managing programmes using the CBR strategy. 
• Partnership between government, DPOs, non-government agencies, business sectors, faith-based groups and other community organisations.

• Health
• Education
• Livelihoods
• Social well-being
• Empowerment

• Ensure persons with disabilities are able to maximise their physical and mental abilities, to access regular services and opportunities and to become active contributors to their communities and society at large
• Activate communities to promote and protect the Human Rights of persons with disabilities through changes within the community such as removing the physical and attitudinal barriers to participation

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are 8 development objectives set by the UN and membership organizations for the global community. They address the needs of the world’s poorest and most marginalized populations by fostering collaborative action in key areas -poverty, education, health and the environment.

In September, 2010, the General Assembly adopted the resolution, "Keeping the promise: united to achieve the Millennium Development Goals" (A/RES/64/299), recognizing that policies and actions must also focus on persons with disabilities so that they benefit from progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Disability-inclusive MDGs would also support the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Given the challenges that people with disabilities face, it is vital that the global community works to mainstream disability across all development sectors.

	Goal 1: Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger Poverty is both a cause and consequence of disability. People with disabilities face stigma and discrimination in their communities and are frequently denied their basic rights such as food,  education, employment and access to health services.
	Goal 2: Achieving universal primary education Estimates of the percentage of children with disabilities not attending school is extremely variable, however, in general, children with disabilities are less likely to start school and have lower rates of staying and being promoted in school than their peers without disabilities. The correlation between low educational outcomes and having a disability is often stronger than the correlations between low education outcome and other characteristics such as gender, rural residence or poverty.
	Goal 3: Promoting gender equality and empowering women Many women with disabilities face discrimination based on both their gender and disability. Women with disabilities are likely to be denied access to education and employment opportunities and are at increased risk of violence and abuse. For those women who care for family members with disabilities, they may face significant hardships particularly where there are limited support services.
	Goal 4: Reducing child mortality Mortality rates for children with disabilities are difficult to estimate, however, it has been suggested that they may be as high as 80% in countries where under-five mortality as a whole has decreased to below 20%. Children with disabilities are more at risk of dying, not only because of life threatening medical conditions or lack of access to health services, but also because in many cultures they are neglected or left to die.
	Goal 5: Improving maternal health Millions of women experience morbidity and disability as a result of pregnancy and childbirth complications. At the same time, women with disabilities can also become mothers themselves, and sometimes need particular consideration during pregnancy or when bringing up children.
	Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases Infectious diseases are disabling; for example, HIV can cause blindness, neuropathy and dementia. At the same time people with disabilities also have as high or higher risk of contracting HIV. Research conducted in Mozambique on disability and HIV found that one reason people with disabilities are routinely excluded from HIV and AIDS policies and programs is a refusal or reluctance to acknowledge their sexuality.
	Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability Environmental risks, such as poor sanitation and water quality, and natural disasters can cause ill health and disability. Many people with disabilities face barriers in accessing community facilities such as wells and latrines and they are often excluded from disaster management activities.
	Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development CBR (Community-based Rehabilitation) is a partnership approach, and works with all development sectors to achieve positive outcomes for people with disabilities by networking with government sectors, NGOs (local, national and international) and communities, and by mainstreaming disability across all development sectors.