1. Community rehabilitation workers as change agents: ”bringing back respect and dignity to communities!”
Presenter: Mrs Siphokazi Sompeta
Disability Studies Programme, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
2nd world cbr congress (27-29 SEPTEMBER 2016)

2. introduction
South Africa is a diverse society with various needs requiring a population based approach.
The needs, range from poverty to health services that do not match the population’s health needs.
This requires attention from a range of health professionals with different skills set.
In a population based approach these health professionals need to be used optimally for the benefit of the community.
The students need to come from the very same vulnerable communities we are talking about because are better at navigating their communities.

3. Rationale
These students needed to be equipped and strengthened their skills on working with communities like community entry, community development, advocacy, specific technical and referrals skills.
Introduction of a higher education certificate on inclusive development and disability to bridge the gap of health workers responding to the broader health needs including disability of the communities.
Unpack how this certificate course has encouraged and strengthened the students through them developing a consciousness; thereby taking a responsibility towards their communities

4. The Higher Certificate In Disability Practice
Inclusive development and agency (IDA)
Promoting healthy lifestyles (PHL)
Health wellness and functional ability (HWFA)
Disability information management and communication systems (DIMCS)
Work integrated practice learning (WIPL I & II)
The rehab care worker (RCW) programme is a collaborative initiative with the department of health in the western cape.
The programe involved the training of 33 community workers from the Mitchell’s plain sub district.
The programme comprises five courses taught over the period of one year.

5. HCDP learning outcomes
Screen and identify disabled persons for impairments, functional ability and participation restrictions in the life areas of living, learning, working and socializing.
Implement health promoting actions, education and strategies.
Apply essential methods, procedures and techniques to address impairments and functional limitations experienced
Provide basic interventions to improve participation in the life areas
Promote the rights of disabled persons.
Promote re-integration of disabled persons into home and community life.

6. Behavioural outcomes (RCWs can..)
Help with daily life (living, learning, socialising, working)
Assist with rehabilitation & disability management at home
Record, present and report information of patient’s health status once out of facility
Identify and mobilise resources with community
Identify priority cases for referral
Observe and screen

7. Inclusive development and Agency
Knowledge
Ethics of care
Disability rights
Community based rehabilitation guidelines
Environmental factors to participation
Personal attributes
Culturally sensitive
Respectful demeanour
Respectful of client space
Confidential
Skills
Observe-listen-communicate
Build collaboration with family, disabled persons association, self help groups
Demonstrate use of family conversation guide/tool
Demonstrate use of Wheel of Opportunities for Participation
Learning outcomes
Promote the rights of people with disabilities and implement strategies and actions to enable participation
Specific learning outcomes
Define and explain the concepts of disability social inclusion and community development
Explain the concept of power and the politics of power in the work context
Identify the purpose of disability rights policies
Identify and describe barriers and facilitators to participation across sectors
Implement strategies to enable participation and access to services
Demonstrate evidence of mobilizing resources in the community
Establish collaborative relationships with relevant stakeholders
Mode of delivery
Lectures/guest lecturers
Presentations: oral, posters
Classroom based practical demonstrations
Work integrated practise opportunity
Facility-based learning
Community based learning
Reflective activities

8. Key Issues DEVELOPING CONSCIOUSNESS. RESPECT & DIGNITY (UBUNTU)
SOCIAL CAPITAL
DEVELOPING CONSCIOUSNESS: An adult learning approach was adopted and framed using the action learning cycle so that the rcw’s are equipped to work in a developmental and empowering way.
RESPECT & DIGNITY (UBUNTU): Contribute to and involve the community through roles as facilitators, advocates, consultants, resource persons.
SOCIAL CAPITAL: Use of community-based workers is an advantage because they understand the culture, strengths and weaknesses of their communities.

9. Key areas to participation
ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE
REHABILITAION SERVICES
FAMILY LIFE & PERSONAL INTEGRITY
PUBLIC AWARENESS ON DISABILITY
For our context common facilitators are: