Meaning and Definitions
Rehabilitation is a broad term that can have different meanings and definitions, depending on the context, perspective, and purpose. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), rehabilitation is “a set of measures that assist individuals who experience, or are likely to experience, disability to achieve and maintain optimal functioning in interaction with their environments”.
Rehabilitation science is the scientific study of rehabilitation, which includes the development, evaluation, and application of theories, methods, interventions, and technologies that can improve the rehabilitation outcomes and processes.
Importance of Rehabilitation Programs
Rehabilitation is an important and impactful field, as it can benefit individuals, families, communities, and societies in many ways, such as:
Improving health and well-being: Rehabilitation can help improve the health and well-being of people who need rehabilitation, by addressing their physical, mental, and social needs and challenges.
Reducing burden and cost: Rehabilitation can help reduce the burden and cost of disability and chronic diseases, by preventing or reducing the need for hospitalization, medication, surgery, or institutionalization.
Promoting human rights and social justice: Rehabilitation can help promote the human rights and social justice of people with disabilities, by ensuring their equal access and participation in all aspects of life, such as health, education, employment, sports, culture, and development.