Impact of Community-Based Rehabilitation Programmes: The Case of Palestine

The aim of this study was to describe and discuss the impact assessment of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programmes, with CBR in Palestine as a case study. Impact was assessed by means of a comprehensive design comprising multiple methods. In this article results are reported from a representative baseline study and a record audit. Considerable progress was recorded in activities of daily living (ADL) measures as well as social measures concerning family life and social participation outside the family. Increased awareness about disability issues and attitude change were also clearly indicated. In conclusion, the CBR programme in Palestine has had a pronounced impact on individuals with disabilities and their families. The programme has also had a positive impact on awareness, attitudes and practice towards individuals with disabilities in their local communities. Assessing the impact of complex community development programmes will always be uncertain as many intervening factors are beyond the control of the assessor. Although good record-keeping, stable and competent staff, in addition to a well-organized programme are pre-requisites both for progress and possibilities for measuring results, there is also a need for improved indicators on the impact of CBR programmes.