Context: The Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment has virtually launched a 6-month CBID (Community Based Inclusive Development) Program on rehabilitation of Divyangjan(Persons with Disabilities).

About CBID (Community Based Inclusive Development) programme

• The programme has been co-designed by the Rehabilitation Council of India and the University of Melbourne.
• The programme aims to create a pool of Grassroot rehabilitation workers at the community level. These workers will be trained for successfully discharging their duties.
• After training, the workers can then work alongside the ASHA and Anganwadi workers. They can handle cross-disability issues and facilitate the inclusion of persons with disabilities in society. The workers will be called ‘Divyang Mitra’ i.e. friends of persons with disabilities.

Nodal Body: National Board of Examination in Rehabilitation under the Rehabilitation Council of India will conduct examinations. The board will also award certificates to pass-out candidates.
About Rehabilitation Council of India(RCI)

• RCI was initially set up as a registered society in 1986. In 1992, the Rehabilitation Council of India Act was enacted by Parliament, and it became a Statutory Body in 1993.

Mandate

• To develop, standardize and regulate training programmes/ courses at various levels in the field of Rehabilitation and Special Education.
• To maintain the Central Rehabilitation Register for qualified Professionals/ Personnel and promote Research in Special Education.
• It will also take punitive action against unqualified persons delivering services to persons with disability.