title: An emancipatory research on CBR and the barriers faced by persons with disabilities.
abstract: Abstract Purpose: The aim of this research was to understand the barriers faced by persons with disabilities in their daily lives and the role of CBR projects in overcoming them.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of persons with disabilities involved in CBR activities was identified and trained in participatory research methodologies. Research was carried out, with support from a scientific advisory group, through sharing of life stories in residential meetings focusing on specific themes. These meetings were attended by 368 persons with disabilities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The barriers identified ranged from isolation, neglect, abuse and violence to lack of access to social, health, education and livelihood opportunities. People faced their first barriers in their own families. Families also played an important role in overcoming some barriers at the individual level. CBR projects assisted people in overcoming barriers mainly by providing information, by facilitating access to existing support and by helping persons in communities to take collective action against the barriers. The research also stimulated DPOs and CBR projects to identify some gaps in tackling the barriers and to start action to overcome them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CBR projects can play a role in overcoming some barriers faced by persons with disabilities. Emancipatory research yields rich data, facilitates ownership and possibly future sustainability. Implications for Rehabilitation Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programmes can promote mainstreaming and helping in overcoming some barriers faced by persons with disabilities in the communities. CBR programmes can facilitate collective action by persons with disabilities in overcoming barriers to inclusion and participation. Participatory research approaches such as emancipatory research can play a role in understanding disability issues and at the same time, help CBR programmes to identify gaps and strengthen activities.
authors.affiliation: Italian Association Amici di Raoul Follereau (AIFO) , Via Borselli 4-6 , Bologna, Italy .
authors.forename: Sunil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deepak
authors.forename: Jayanth
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Parthipan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ramasamy
authors.forename: Giampiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Griffo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003153:Community Health Services; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D054541:Family Conflict; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty; D011287:Prejudice; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012934:Social Isolation; D014754:Violence; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Community-based rehabilitation; life-stories; participatory