Challenges of Community-Based Rehabilitation as an Empowerment Tool for Rural People with Disabilities in Umguza District, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish challenges that stakeholders face in implementing community-based rehabilitation for people with disabilities in one rural district of Zimbabwe. This was dependent on the realisation that there are notable disparities in the quality of life led by people with disabilities who reside in rural areas as compared to their counterparts in urban settings. An inclusive society that imparts independent living skills to all its members using locally available resources is desirable. This study employed the qualitative research design. Convenient sampling was used to select 1 ward councilor, 5 village heads, and 5 village health workers. Purposive sampling was used to select 32 caregivers (parents/guardians) and 20 persons with mild to moderate disabilities to participate in the study. Focus Group Discussions (FDGs) were conducted with caregivers and persons with disabilities. Face-to-face interviews were carried out with the village heads, village health workers, and the ward councilor. Data were analysed thematically. The findings of the study were that caregivers assumed greater responsibility for empowering and serving the needs of individuals with disabilities than other stakeholders. The study recommends that community-based rehabilitation programmes should be intensified in rural areas by utilising locally available resources and indigenous expertise to improve the functionality of people with disabilities within their settings.