Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), which has been endorsed by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) to be an implementing organization of the Biwako Millennium Framework (BMF) towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities, has two main missions. First is to empower persons with disabilities. Empowered persons with disabilities and their own groups, called self-help groups (SHGs) can become “agents of change” in their own communities. The second is to promote a barrier-free society led by persons with disabilities. Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR) is an approach to create a barrier-free society in line with the APCD missions. 

         In APCD’s endeavor to promote CBR, a “community” is considered as an inclusive and barrier-free place where local persons, regardless of disabilities, can participate in all local activities. A “community” is not only defined by its geographical boundaries; it is also a common background and culture including sign language. In collaboration with UNESCAP, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and many other agencies, APCD has been promoting CBR policies and strategies at national levels as well as grass-root levels to support the empowerment process of persons with disabilities and to facilitate the formation of SHGs which can enhance the quality of life of persons with disabilities in a rights-based society. CBR encompasses civil, political, economic, social and cultural aspects since “rehabilitation” in this sense links with all kinds of human rights of people with disabilities at a community level, particularly in terms of accountability, empowerment, participation and non-discrimination.

         Therefore, it is important for APCD to provide a community platform where persons with disabilities and their SHGs can encounter other fellow groups, community supporters, non-government organizations (NGOs), and national and local governments. From the viewpoint of APCD as a facilitator, social mobilization is rather important since it is the key for persons with disabilities to participate equally in community activities.

         This booklet has been developed with the hope that it will introduce APCD’s perception of CBR, share insights from CBR implementers and open new perspectives for the future direction of CBR in the Asia-Pacific region.