People with Disabilities as Leaders and Workers in Rehabilitation Activities

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HealthWiki > Disabled Village Children > Chapter 45: Starting Village-Based Rehabilitation Activities > People with Disabilities as Leaders and Workers in Rehabilitation Activities

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In this chapter:

 

In this chapter:

Some of the most exciting and meaningful community rehabilitation activities in various parts of the world are those that are led and staffed by people with disabilites. When the leaders and workers in a program are disabled, they can be excellent role models for children with disabilities and their parents. When they see a team of people with disabilities working together productively, contributing to their community, and enjoying themselves in the process, it often gives both family and child a new vision and hope for the future. This alone is a big first step toward rehabilitation.

Workers with disabilities give an example to children with disabilities that they can lead a full life. Polo Leyva, a person with paralysis due to polio, has become a skilled welder and wheelchair maker.

Another reason for recruiting leaders and workers who are mostly people with disabilities (or their relatives) is that they are more likely to work with commitment, to give of themselves. From their own experience, they understand the challenges, needs, and possibilities of people with disabilities. Because they, too, have often experienced rejection, misunderstanding, and unfair treatment by society, they are more likely to become leaders in the struggle for a fairer, more fully human community. Their weakness contributes to their strength.

Examples of community rehabilitation programs run by people with disabilities are in Chapter 55.

This page was updated:04 Apr 2024