Community-based disability interventions in India have traditionally operated within clinical frameworks or fragmented welfare initiatives, often failing to address stigma, inconsistent resources, and gaps in transition to adulthood for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This paper presents the conceptualization and implementation of an evidence-based, rights-based Community-based Disability Management and Rehabilitation Program (CDMRP) at the University of Calicut, Kerala, implemented as a collaborative venture between the University and the Department of Social Justice, Government of Kerala.
The model embeds disability management within existing government systems while integrating academic research, training, and community outreach. Rather than functioning as a stand-alone mental health clinic, services are delivered through a multidisciplinary team within the university and through weekly outreach via community mental health clinic units. These strategies reposition disability support from pathology to capacity-building, reduce stigma, and enhance community engagement.
A distinctive element of the model is its focused intervention for young adults with IDD. Beyond school completion, the program employs skill identification, vocational profiling, employer engagement, structured training, internships, placement support, and follow-up monitoring to facilitate sustainable livelihood pathways and socially valued roles. This transition-to-work emphasis addresses a critical yet underdeveloped dimension of disability inclusion and contributes to positive identity formation and stigma reduction.
After a decade of implementation, the paper analyses governance convergence, research–practice feedback loops, interdisciplinary collaboration, and factors for replication in decentralised settings. The CDMRP is presented as a sustainable university–government collaboration model promoting social inclusion, with relevance for community psychology, inclusive education, and disability policy.

Authors:
Baby Shari P A, University of Calicut, India

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Baby Shari P. A. is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Calicut, Kerala, India. Her current project is on people with intellectual and developmental disorders.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

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