A morning in the poorer parts of Dar es Salaam is described, during which Mama Kitenge visits families with children having mental and other disabilities and works with these children and their caregivers
This manual gives suggestions and techniques for promoting all aspects of the independence of the spinal-injured person. It deals with bladder and bowel management, exercising, sitting, wheelchairs and transfers, activities of dailiy living and sexuality. It also discusses the importance of the person's community participation
This issue describes why good communication is important for health workers. Giving advice is key, but finding out information and gaining people's trust has to come first. Unless you have gained people's confidence by communicating well with them, then your advice may not be followed. Articles explain how to select key messages to give people, how to explain points clearly in appropriate language and how to check if people have understood what you have said. This issue also provides ideas and examples for training others in communication skills
This article is in response to a BBC documentary and the author suggests that health camps, which is one way of searching India' s rural patients, perhaps have different motives. The author suggests that most are done for charity and good will but they are only temporary and have inadequate follow-up
This guide describes community-based rehabilitation (CBR) activities as managed by the health care sector. In countries where another sector has responsibility for CBR, the Ministry of Health manages only the rehabilitation services that are part of the health sector, though it may also participates in inter-sectoral CBR activities. The information in this guide is intended for use by rehabilitation management personnel in both of these situations. It is a must for planners of CBR projects. 'Mid-level rehabilitation workers' and their training are also mentioned
The standard rules on the equalisation of opportunities for persons with disabilities have been developed on the basis of the experience gained during the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons (1983- 1992). Although the rules are not compulsory, they can become international customary rules when they are applied by a great number of states with the intention of respecting a rule in international law. They imply a strong moral and political commitment on behalf of States to take action for the equalisation of opportunities for persons with disabilities. The rules indicate important principles for responsibility, action and cooperation as well as areas of decisive importance for quality of life and for the achieving of full participation and equality. The rules offer disabled persons and their organisations an instrument for making policy and for action. They also provide a basis for technical and economic cooperation among states, the United Nations and other international organisations