Community-Based Rehabilitation for Persons with Disabilities: An Indigenous Calling

Community interconnectedness has been an essential aspect of the Indian cultural ethos and belief systems about social life. Over nearly four decades, the evolution of the Community-Based Rehabilitation approach as an effective alternative to traditional vocational rehabilitation practice and a dignified medium of social inclusion has been recognized, studied, and documented across the world, especially in lower-income or middle-income communities, developing and underdeveloped countries. There has been some evidence of its successful implementation in different parts of India. However, a wellintegrated effort from the state and its regulatory bodies has not gained prominence in this sphere. In this context, the article tries to outline the sociocultural suitability, pragmatic opportunities and challenges that align with the successful implementation of CBR programmes within the Indian community ecosystem. CBR here is discussed specifically in terms of generating livelihood for persons with disabilities through a medium of community integration.