Specific Objectives of CAN are:

To collect and collate information about disability services from all African countries.

To facilitate the development of record keeping and writing skills’ culture for the purpose of documenting community initiatives and good practice;

To facilitate the capacity of CBR workers, to communicate their experiences between themselves and with other practitioners.


Justification of CAN
CAN was an initiative aimed at facilitating stakeholders to share experiences concerning CBR practice throughout Africa. It was based on the perception that many good CBR initiatives take place, but the practitioners involved either do not have the time or skills to share these experiences, or, they do not see the need.

It was recognised that a lot of good CBR work had actually taken place in Africa, but the ‘oral tradition’ often prevented the people concerned, from documenting their activities. Difficulties in communication between countries, a lack of resources and poor motivation and writing skills, all contributed to this problem. The result was that the rest of the world thought that very little was happening in CBR in Africa and community programmes were making the same mistakes over and over again, and failing to learn from other initiatives.

Formation of CAN was timely due to the growing concern as to whether the CBR approach works or not. It is a strong concern especially in African countries which have embraced the approach. Lack of documentation and sharing of CBR experiences may also undermine its progres in the rehabilitation of people with disabilities (PWDs) and make it impossible to eloquently defend the strategy.

Through CAN CBR workers and consumers would get a chance to share their fears, joys, beliefs and even experiences of the good and bad CBR practice. Interaction amongst those involved in CBR and the sharing of experiences and information, would also lead to the development of better CBR practice and the end result will be to improve the quality and human rights of PWDs in Africa as a whole and beyond.

Knowledge is power but sharing knowledge is progress.

Core Values of CAN
Commitment
Teamwork
Transparency
Accountability
Innovation