Innovative Practice 2018 on Accessibility
Mainstreaming Children with Disability in Bangladesh
| Name of Innovative Practice: | Mainstreaming Children with Disability in Bangladesh |
|---|---|
| Organisation: | CSF Global |
| Country of Implementation | Bangladesh |
PROBLEMS TARGETED
CSF Global conducted national research on childhood disabilities in Bangladesh and identified thousands of children with cerebral palsy with no treatment facilities.
SOLUTION, INNOVATION, AND IMPACT
Main purpose of this project is to inform children with disabilities and their families regarding basic health issues and available accessible health services and to increase the rate of children with disabilities to receive basic health services from health care centres.
Together with partners Perkins International and the Australian Government, CSF Global started the first development centre in rural Bangladesh for children with cerebral palsy. By using the Key Informant Method (KIM) – an approach to identify children with disabilities in the community through trained community volunteers – the organization detects children from rural communities and invites parents to come to the centre for their children’s early development.
Initially, the children receive four hours of therapeutic treatment per day and a development session by trained physiotherapists for the first six months. At the same time, the organization prepares society to accommodate the children after the therapy has been concluded. This preparation includes a check for school readiness, teacher training, and the adaptation of infrastructure. Further, families receive some financial support from the local government.
After this six months period the children are admitted into a mainstream school, and CSF Global follows-up to ensure their further social inclusion. To date, CSF Global has identified 1,200 children, of whom 400 have received therapeutic and development services.
Together with partners Perkins International and the Australian Government, CSF Global started the first development centre in rural Bangladesh for children with cerebral palsy. By using the Key Informant Method (KIM) – an approach to identify children with disabilities in the community through trained community volunteers – the organization detects children from rural communities and invites parents to come to the centre for their children’s early development.
Initially, the children receive four hours of therapeutic treatment per day and a development session by trained physiotherapists for the first six months. At the same time, the organization prepares society to accommodate the children after the therapy has been concluded. This preparation includes a check for school readiness, teacher training, and the adaptation of infrastructure. Further, families receive some financial support from the local government.After this six months period the children are admitted into a mainstream school, and CSF Global follows-up to ensure their further social inclusion. To date, CSF Global has identified 1,200 children, of whom 400 have received therapeutic and development services.
OUTLOOK, TRANSFERABILITY AND FUNDING
CSF Global started with one centre and after a year the organization opened two more centres due to high demand. The organization has developed a standard transition manual for starting a development centre and providing therapeutic and other services in any country. The manual, which is perceived as very hands-on and easy to use, can be downloaded at www.csf-global.org, and CSF Global is ready to offer further support as needed.
CSF Global does not provide any financial support to children but it does provide assistance in gaining admission to mainstream schools. Furthermore, the organization communicates with a variety of government agencies to get services and support.
Initially, this project started in collaboration with Perkins International, which has provided some funding and technical support. CSF Global provided further funding, and volunteers from the Australian Government helped during the implementation stage. CSF Global estimates that after an initial start-up period of three years, each early childhood service centre can be self-sustaining based on funds received from parents.
CSF Global does not provide any financial support to children but it does provide assistance in gaining admission to mainstream schools. Furthermore, the organization communicates with a variety of government agencies to get services and support.
Initially, this project started in collaboration with Perkins International, which has provided some funding and technical support. CSF Global provided further funding, and volunteers from the Australian Government helped during the implementation stage. CSF Global estimates that after an initial start-up period of three years, each early childhood service centre can be self-sustaining based on funds received from parents.Download factsheet as accessible Word
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