For many years, the concern for the differently able persons had been expressed by the society in different ways, mostly through sponsorship and running special institutions for their care. However, the approach has undergone a desirable change with the introduction of community-based rehabilitation in the year 1999. As the subject matter directly refers to Persons with Disabilities (PwD), it would be in the fitness of things to state at this juncture the salient features of the ongoing program of Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) under CHASS. It consists of different components/ stages namely,

• • • Disability survey and detection of PwD
    • Obtaining medical and disability certificate
    • Linking with government welfare provisions
    • Surgical corrections and therapeutic interventions
    • Supply of instrumental aids and appliances
    • Building community and family responsibility
    • Availability of professional services of CBR workers at source
    • Vocational training for PwD
    • Job placement and self-employment
    • Organising and activating Self Help Groups

The CBR programme of CHASS covers 138 Panchayats, 20 blocks, and 3 municipalities in five civil districts of Kerala. 5932 Differently abled people of various categories have benefited from this programme over the last 24 years. The tangible results achieved by the programme are:

• • 559 youth are imparted with job-oriented vocational training and skills
  • 588 people placed in jobs
  • 1161 people provided with self-employment schemes
  • 1538 people given aids and appliances
  • 113 peoplepeople assisted with housing
  • 2567 people enrolled in permanent disability pension schemes

Rehaswiss Programme

CHASS has associated with Rehaswiss, an international donor agency based in Switzerland working exclusively for the welfare of the differently abled people. Every year, CHASS is supporting an average of 50 differently abled people for income generation programmes in collaboration with Rehaswiss.

Case Studies

The beneficiary’s left leg is paralyzed and the percentage of disability is 60% as per disability certificate. She learnt tailoring work before her marriage and was working in a tailoring shop on daily wages. But the earnings from the occasional work were too small to meet even her daily needs. CHASS included her in the Rehaswiss programme and supported her to purchase a motorised tailoring machine. She started a small tailoring unit in her house itself with  her small savings and the financial support of Rs. 20,000/- received from Rehaswiss fund. The tailoring unit gradually expanded with more customers and is now a fully functioning unit which gives her adequate financial support. She is happy and satisfied with the earnings.  It has increased her status in the family and the community. 

The beneficiary’s right leg is paralyzed and the percentage of disability is 60% as per disability certificate. The only source of income of the family was the blue collar job of the husband which was occasional and insufficient for meeting the two ends. CHASS involved her in our Rehaswiss programme and allotted Rs. 20,000/- for starting a shop as a source of supplementary income to their family. With the support of Rehaswiss fund and own savings of Rs. 5,000/-,  she started a shop near her house. They are getting small but regular income and save Rs. 500/- day. Later, they modified the shop to a provisional shop. They also started to do stage decorations for functions. They are happy and satisfied with their earnings.

Rehaswiss Asha Talent Programme

Asha talent Promotion Centre is a project jointly implemented by Rehaswiss and Changanacherry Social Service Society in order to promote the creativity and talent of the differently able women by providing innovative impulses and inspiration. The project is located at Vadavathoor near Kottayam.