The Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues (SLUDI) has called for a national Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Strategy to improve access to rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities across Sierra Leone. This call was made as the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), in partnership with One Family People (OFP) and with support from Lillian Fonds, convened a press conference on November 4, 2026, at the Ministry of Social Welfare conference hall in Freetown.
SLUDI believes that a national strategy would help address gaps in rehabilitation services by ensuring that persons with disabilities can access support within their communities rather than having to travel long distances to reach limited-service centres. The organisation described the proposed strategy as an important step towards strengthening disability inclusion and improving service delivery.
As the national federation representing organisations of persons with disabilities in Sierra Leone, SLUDI emphasised that rehabilitation services should not be concentrated in a few locations but should be made available to people in communities across the country. A coordinated national approach would help address barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from accessing essential rehabilitation and support services.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities stated that a formal CBR strategy was necessary to address existing gaps in service delivery. This view was reaffirmed by Samuel POV Macaulay, Executive Director of One Family People, who committed his organisation to working with the NCPD and Lillian Fonds to develop an inclusive and sustainable strategy.
The initiative aims to promote independence and ensure that persons with disabilities are meaningfully included in society. The press conference examined the challenges persons with disabilities face when accessing rehabilitation services and identified a shared path towards national policy reform. Discussions also focused on the Persons with Disability Act of 2011.
A national CBR strategy could provide a framework for coordinating rehabilitation services and improving cooperation among government institutions, disability organisations, and development partners. SLUDI reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the rights, dignity, and empowerment of persons with disabilities in Sierra Leone and looks forward to working with stakeholders to advance the proposed strategy.
The proposed strategy comes amid broader calls for disability services and policies that respond to the needs of people in their own communities. SLUDI, along with the NCPD, One Family People, and Lillian Fonds, is expected to play a crucial role in promoting meaningful improvements in rehabilitation services.
Key points
- SLUDI calls for a national Community-Based Rehabilitation Strategy to improve access to rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities.
- The proposed strategy aims to address gaps in rehabilitation services by ensuring support is available within communities.
- A national CBR strategy could provide a framework for coordinating rehabilitation services and improving cooperation among stakeholders.
