Your progress
0%
Here are some of the key ideas to effectively mobilize a community
Use your mouse or keyboard to expand each of the headings below.
A “community” is a group of people interacting in some form of social organization and cohesion. Often, communities are not homogeneous, and their members have different political, economic, social and cultural characteristics, interests and aspirations. For example, as traditionally defined community members may:
Communities consist of different people, groups and organizations, and many of these are important stakeholders for CBR. A CBR stakeholder is anyone in the community involved in, affected by or having stake in CBR activities and objectives. And that means everyone.
Community development issues related to health, education, water and sanitation, housing, transportation and the environment all have an impact on the incidence and prevalence of disability (see the Health module to learn more). So disability is an important issue within communities, yet it is often ignored.
In many communities there are barriers that impact the quality of life of people with disabilities and their family members. Among these are:
CBR must be able to identify and understand the barriers that most affect people with disabilities and their families, and take steps to empower the community to overcome them.
The community is the best judge of its own problems and the best able to take appropriate action to solve these problems. CBR is a strategy for community-based inclusive development, so it too acknowledges the importance of community participation. Communities are listened to and directly involved in decision-making and activities that affect the lives of members of the community.
Community mobilization is a strategy that CBR can use to help make disability everyone’s business, and not just that of people of disabilities. It can be used to engage community stakeholders in CBR activities that support inclusive development.
When CBR programmes involve communities in their work, it is more likely that the benefits for people with disabilities and their family members will continue even after funding and support may have ended.
Learn how a CBR worker motivated a community in Ethiopia
In the Adaama province of Ethiopia, a CBR worker noticed that a bridge across a river was broken. This not only made it difficult for people with disabilities to use this bridge, but it caused problems for many others as well (for example, a young boy broke his arm while trying to cross the bridge).
The CBR worker contacted school and local government authorities, and formed a committee to improve accessibility in the area. This committee mobilized the community to contribute both money and physical labour, and a new bridge was eventually built.
After the bridge was completed, the local government was motivated to do more for people with disabilities. It decided to make changes to the local school to improve access for children with disabilities. CBR personnel realized that the community is a great resource and can be encouraged and motivated to improve their living conditions.
Even with few resources, many things can be achieved, especially when the community owns the idea.
