WELCOME TO KENTERPRO:
EFFICACY OF COMMUNITY BASED REHABILITATION FOR CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN KANKE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

.CHAPTER ONE

Background to the Study

Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) is a strategy within community development for the equalization of opportunity, social integrity and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. Rehabilitation can be described as the restoration of an individual suffering from an abnormality to normality or near normality. It is a process which enables persons with disabilities to reach and maintain their optimal physical, sensory, intellectual, psychological and social performance. Rehabilitation gives persons with disabilities the tools they need to reach their independence. Federal Republic of Nigeria (2010) defines rehabilitation as all measures aimed at reducing the impact of disabilities for an individual, so that the person can achieve a better-quality life and self-integration. Rehabilitation includes not only the training of persons with disabilities but also the intervention of the general system of society, adaptation of the environment, the protection of human rights and empowerment of persons with disabilities within the society.

Ozoji (2005) submits that rehabilitation is an activity to assist persons with disabilities to shift from the position of dependence to independence, inadequacy to adequacy, psychological wreck to self-confidence and happy contributing members of the society. The author also noted that Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) is a process that is managed by the instrument of the community for revitalizing the capacities of persons with disabilities, for meaningful and independent living in the society. It stands out as a rescue mission for the purpose of restoration, conservation and advancement of individuals and the incapacitation of disabilities. Persons with disabilities are those who, because of circumstances of birth or life have physical, intellectual, social, sensory, or psychological impairment that makes it difficult for them to live a normal life. Obani (2006) posits that persons with disabilities are those who are socially, psychologically or culturally disadvantaged. These include those who have hearing, visual, mental and physical (mobility) difficulties. Others are those with serious behavioural, emotional and attention disorders, including those with epilepsy, leprosy and street urchins that negatively affect their school life and learning. This group of individuals deserves good quality of life in the areas of health, education, livelihood, social development and empowerment as outlined in the CBR matrix.

Intellectual disability (ID) is a term used to describe a range of cognitive and developmental deficits that impact a person’s ability to learn, reason, and problem-solve. Individuals with ID often have limitations in intellectual functioning, which are measured by standardized tests of intelligence quotient (IQ) and adaptive behaviors. The severity of ID can vary widely, ranging from mild to profound, and it can occur across all cultural and socioeconomic groups. According to the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), intellectual disability is defined as “a disability characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. This disability originates before the age of 18.” According to Bodang & Lalu (2016) Intellectual disability can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic and chromosomal abnormalities, brain injury, and environmental factors such as malnutrition, toxins, or infections during pregnancy. In some cases, the cause of ID may be unknown. Individuals with ID may face a range of challenges, including difficulty with language and communication, problem-solving and decision-making, and social interaction. However, with appropriate support and intervention, individuals with ID can live fulfilling and productive lives.

World Health Organisation, International Labour Organisation, International Disability and Development Consortium and the United Nations Economic, Social and Cultural Organisation UNESCO (2010) states that CBR programme is geared towards persons with disabilities, their families and the community in which they live. The programme optimizes the person’s functional ability and independence. CBR is implemented in Nigeria as a project and mostly initiated by international nongovernmental disability organizations. Before the formal launching of the CBR guidelines in 2010 in Nigeria, there already existed CBR projects implemented in parts of Benue, Abuja, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Kaduna and Plateau States.

Plateau State has been implementing the institutional rehabilitation strategy to disability inclusion with the establishment of the Government rehabilitation centre in Jos and the Blind craft centre at Zawan. With the growing inability of these facilities to provide any meaningful services, the introduction of the CBR programme by the Christofell Blinden Mission at the COCIN Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre Mangu was considered a novel approach, providing essential services to persons with disabilities in their communities. Education is a potent tool for both national and individual growth. Unfortunately, many persons with disabilities lack access to education. Those few who are enrolled in the school system and training programme lack unique instrument for their learning needs such as equipment, materials and facilities that meet their educational demands. persons with disabilities, sometimes, have impairment condition(s) such as injury, wounds, malformation, physical deformities and sicknesses, unfortunately access to affordable health facility and care is challenging. Many persons with disabilities who have ill-health conditions either do not have access to the health facility or have no resources to take care of their health needs. This situation aggravates their health status and affects their quality of life. In Plateau State, some hospitals and rehabilitation centres provide some rehabilitation services. Although these centres claim to have made some improvement on the quality of life of persons with disabilities, there is no reliable statistical evidence to such claim. Conielje, Velema, and Finkenflujel (2008) report that while many claims are being made about the quality, appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency of CBR programme, little scientific evidence exists to substantiate the facts. There is therefore the need for better evaluation of the efficacy of Community Based Rehabilitation for children with intellectual disabilities in Kanke Local Government Area.

Statement of the Problem

The efficacy of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) for children with intellectual disabilities in Kanke Local Government Area is a significant problem that needs attention. Intellectual disability is a condition characterized by significant limitations in cognitive functioning and adaptive behavior. Children with intellectual disabilities in Kanke Local Government Area face several challenges, including social stigma, discrimination, and lack of access to quality healthcare services, education, and other support services. Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) is a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation that aims to improve the quality of life and social inclusion of people with disabilities in their communities. The CBR approach involves a range of interventions, including health, education, livelihood, and social interventions. CBR programs are designed to empower people with disabilities and their families and communities to take an active role in their rehabilitation. Despite the potential benefits of CBR for children with intellectual disabilities in Kanke Local Government Area, there is a lack of evidence on the efficacy of CBR programs in the area. There is a need to assess the effectiveness of CBR programs in improving the quality of life and social inclusion of children with intellectual disabilities in the area.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is on the efficacy of Community Based Rehabilitation for children with intellectual disabilities in Kanke Local Government Area. The specific objectives of the study is:

1. To determine the ways Community Based Rehabiliation programme have impacted children with intellectual disabilities in Kanke Local Government Area
2. To access the factors that influence the effectiveness of Community Based Rehabilitation programme in Kanke Local Government Area
3. To offer strategies on improving Community Based Rehabiliation programmes for children with intellectual disability in Kanke Local Government Area

Research Question

1. In what way does the Community Based Rehabilitation programme impacted children with intellectual disabilities in Kanke Local Government Area
2. What are the factors that influence the effectiveness of Community Based Rehabilitation Programme in Kanke Loal Government Area
3. What are the strategies for improving Community Based Rehabilitation programmes for children with intellectual disability in Kanke Local Government Area.

Scope of the Study

The study be focused on evaluating the efficacy of Community Based Rehabilitation programmes for children with intellectual disabilities. It will be confined to Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State alone.