In its Strategic Directions Document for 2003- 2007, the Society stated its general aim:
"To work with and through local communities in order to enhance prevention programs and respond efficiently and effectively to needs that emerge because of the downfall in the general health of the community".
Society message in Rehabilitation and Ability Development:
In its Strategic Directions Document, the Society seeks:

"To improve disabled people life through developing their abilities and enabling their families and integrate them in their communities to the possible extend".

1. Philosophy:
The philosophy of the Rehabilitation Department is based on the belief in the universality of human beings; and thus recognition of the need to develop an infrastructure that ensues that people who are disabled are provided opportunity to exercise their rights as equal citizens within their communities.
The essential nature of human beings is universal and common to all, regardless of race, religion, colour of skin, nationality, age, gender, disability, or any other such defined category; and equality and rights are for all.
However, human beings are different from one another and develop their skills and abilities in different ways. Therefore, in order to enable all people equal opportunity and exercise of their rights, the means available to individuals to develop their potential as individuals and as contributors to their communities is essentially different and needs to be available according to individual abilities and needs.
The concept of equal but different is an essential approach to the development of communities in order to ensure that all sections of a community, including minorities and disadvantaged groups [including people who are disabled] are recognized as equal citizens.
People who are disabled are first of all people – and people are different. In addition, there are many different types and degree of severity of disability, and life situations of people who are disabled vary a great deal. However, many disabled people experience discrimination against them, even when they have high level of skill and knowledge to contribute to their communities; and many are marginalized and disadvantaged in their communities.
All human services have a duty to ensure that all people have access to services that they need; to recognize and practice the concept of equal but different so that appropriate structures are in place.
Rehabilitation services have a special responsibility as they directly address the situation of people who are disabled. The key mission is to ensure that people who are disabled are given opportunity to develop their potential, to receive care that they may need, and to be recognized as equal citizens within their communities.

2. Mission:
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), in accord with the International Movement of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, states its mission as – HUMANITARIAN, HEALTH and SOCIAL SERVICES, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable.
The mission is carried out according to the seven principles of the movement – humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
Within this context, the Rehabilitation Department is responsible to contribute to the mission of PRCS, in coordination with other departments of the Society, through its work with people who are disabled and their families.
Integration of disabled people in the community is an aim and a process at the same time. This aim and process has to be together. Integration process should start early and include all life sections and that makes integration a possible aim.
Rehabilitation and Ability Development process for disabled people should start from the strong points of disabled people and respect of their choices and should avoid concentration on weak points and try to develop it as possible.
That would enhance disabled people confidence in themselves and their abilities to be able to face the disturbances of integration in the community.

3. Policy:
The Society seeks to follow and implement a Rehabilitation Policy that harmonizes with the principles of the philosophy of Rehabilitation.
To approach the provision of rehabilitation programs and services as an
Integral part of development.
To provide rehabilitation programs and services for people who are disabled according to the needs of the community and within the capacity of PRCS.
To encourage interdisciplinary involvement and interdepartmental coordination in the provision of rehabilitation services and the promotion of rights of people who are disabled.
To use medical, social educational and technical resources in order to promote the professional level of disabled people.
To support the Palestinian law relevant to the rights of disabled people and encourage its implementation throughout PRCS. Specifically –
= ensure all PRCS buildings are accessible – physically and psychologically
to people who are disabled.
= encourage the practice of affirmative action in regard to the employment of
people who are disabled, ensuring that such employment is commensurate
with their skills and abilities in relation to the work expected of them.
To promote and facilitate the integration of disabled people in all aspects of community life.
To provide continuous education programs in order ensure personnel working in the field of rehabilitation are maintaining update information in the field.
To maintain links with other relevant organizations – government and non-government.

4. Strategies:
Based on the philosophy of the Rehabilitation Department, the concept of Rehabilitation as an integral aspect of development is the reference point for strategies of the department.
Although there are many different definitions formed relevant to the field of rehabilitation, that proposed by the United Nations World Program of Action Concerning Disabled Persons (1983:3) is in keeping with the philosophy of PRCS and provides a practical framework for the development of strategies of the department.
"Rehabilitation means a goal-oriented and time-limited process
aimed at enabling an impaired person to reach an optimum mental,
physical and/or social functional level, thus providing her or him
with the tools to change her or his own life. It can involve measures
intended to compensate for a loss of function or functional
limitations (for example by technical aids) and other measures
intended to facilitate social adjustment or readjustment."
Rehabilitation within the context of ability development is regarded as a crucial part of the comprehensive development process for the Palestinian society, whether in Palestine or the Diaspora. It is estimated that 2.17%of the population in Palestine have special needs due to disability (Healthy Survey PCBS- 1996). Currently, this percentage has increased markedly due to the conflict situation that exists.
Integration of disabled people within their communities and opportunity for them to develop their abilities, regardless of age, gender, or disability, is considered to be one of the major objectives of PRCS. Concurrent with this process, PRCS also aims to modify those negative attitudes towards disability and disabled individuals which exist in some communities. PRCS believes that bridging the gap of understanding between disabled people and their communities is a prerequisite condition for successful integration process.

Number of beneficiaries from the PRCS rehabilitation services reached to 122.174 individuals in 2000- 2005.
The Rehabilitation Department conducts a wide range of different programs and services, and works closely together with other departments of PRCS. These programs address the needs of people who are disabled and their families – recognizing that this is an issue that must include consideration of people of all ages, and all types of disability that may be present. The main categories of disability that are present within the population receiving services from PRCS include – developmental delay, slow learner, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, physical disability, hearing impairment and deafness, visual impairment, behavior problems, multi-disability. There are also people who have been wounded during the Intifada, and they present a wide range of different problems including various leg or arm injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, visual disability and/or psycho-social problems.
Some of the PRCS Centers address one specific area – profession or disability oriented – whilst others provide a range of different services and programs.

1: Core Technical programs:

• Assessment and diagnosis.
• Early stimulation programs. [babies and toddlers with parent]
• Special education programs. [kindergarten & school aged children]
• Special training programs. [severely disabled children and adults]
• Vocational training and job placement programs. [youth and adult]
• Outreach – home visit programs. [all ages; all disabilities]
• Medical and therapy support services and programs. [ Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy]
• Psycho-social support services and programs.
• Sport and Recreation programs.
• Link with community services.
• Advocacy and awareness raising.

2: Types of Locations for services and programs:

The actual structure and function of PRCS Rehabilitation Department facilities vary a great deal, as do the range of services and programs within any one facility.
• Comprehensive centre – providing a range of services and programs for children and adults who are disabled, regardless of disability or age.
• Special centre/ unit – providing specialist services or programs for children or adults with a specific disability; or providing specialist services or programs of a particular profession.
• A service unit within another PRCS facility – within a hospital, primary health care unit, Branch Centre, or other.
• Outreach services or programs.

3: Types of Services / Programs and Components:

• GENERAL – Multi-disciplinary:
Within Centers with this general, multi-disciplinary, orientation there is a range of services and programs across the four dimensions of rehabilitation – educational, vocational, social, medical. The base to such general centers is education and training. This multi-disciplinary approach to rehabilitation demands a team approach to the work, so that the combined efforts of the various specialists contribute to individual development and quality of life of those disabled children and adults participating in the programs.

• SPECIALIST Support Services/ Programs:
Within the multidisciplinary centers, with education and training base, are a range of specialist support services and programs. The professions so involved in these support services are social workers, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists. These professions give specific support and training where needed and contribute to the strengthening of the person, physically and psychologically, enhancing their development towards independence and community integration. Psycho-social services are developed in cooperation with the Mental Health Department.

• ASSISTIVE DEVICES:
In most of the centers, assistance is given to people who are disabled to seek additional needed services, to acquire assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, hearing aids, etc.

• ACTIVITY PROGRAMS:

A range of physical education, sport, recreation and cultural activities are included in the services and programs of Centers, providing opportunity for expression, creativity, learning, and physical activity.
Activities within physical education and sport include a wide range of different types of motor and physical performance. These activities have a very important contribution to the development of the individual participant, physically, psychologically, socially, and educationally and are carefully tailored to individual needs and interests.
The arts, [art, music, drama, puppetry, story telling, crafts, etc.] make a very specific contribution to the development of a person, in addition to providing a means to combat stress and anxiety.
Toy and book libraries, computers, children's museum, children's club, Community programs, contribute further to the opportunity for people to express themselves, to further their knowledge and develop skills.
Together with the Department of Youth and Volunteers, summer and winter Camps are conducted for children, with a focus on the integration of disabled and non-disabled children. Such experiences for disabled children greatly enhance the development of their independence and their social skills. Furthermore, these integration camps contribute in changing the non – disabled children’s attitudes towards disability.

• ADVOCACY:
In keeping with the philosophy of the Rehabilitation Department, there are various programs and activities designed to contribute to the raising of public awareness of the situation and rights of people who are disabled. Such programs are structured and implemented by the social workers in cooperation with the rehabilitation workers & the other departments, especially those of Mental Health Department, and Youth and Volunteers.

• HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT:
Continuing Education programs for professional staff of PRCS, and those of other organizations, are scheduled throughout the year in order to enable staff to continually upgrade knowledge and skills, and so contribute to continued quality of services and programs being implemented.
Training courses for volunteers – together with other relevant departments.
Locations for practical training for university students throughout the country.
Link with PRCS College of Ability Development in Khan Younis.

4: SPECIALIST Centers / Units:

In addition to the general rehabilitation centers with an educational/vocational focus, together with support services, activities, etc., PRCS has a number of specialist centers and units. The types of such centers are –
• Physiotherapy
• Speech Therapy
• Assessment & Diagnosis [multidisciplinary]
These specialist services and programs are provided on a session basis and are closely
linked to the general rehabilitation centers, and work in corporation with other relevant PRCS departments.


5: EMERGENCY PROGRAMS:

These programs have emerged in response to the current situation (2000 –2004) (continuous closures and siege) to accommodate the needs of the people:

• The out-reach programs that are administered by PRCS in several governorates especially in South Gaza, Nablus , Hebron and in some areas located in the center of the West Bank
• Organizing 20 screening, diagnoses & early intervention campaigns in Gaza & West Bank. Those campaigns are carried out in villages ,schools & kindergartens.
• Establishing of 6 new physiotherapy rehabilitation units and centers in Qalqilia, Tulkarem, Idna, Bani Naim, Jericho &Tubas.
• Activate the community based special education programs for mentally retarded children who are denied any rehabilitation or therapeutic services.
• Introduce services and emergency programs like residency in Nablus and Ramallah to accommodate the deaf children and ensure the permanence of the education process uninterrupted due to the current situation of continuous closures and permanent check points
• Establishing of 2 new special education programs (1 center in Bani Naem& 3 special education classes in Tarqomia/ Hebron Governorate.)
• Introduction of the community based and educational program for the Intifada injured individuals especially in Gaza.
• Implementation of the psychological support activities with the disabled persons and their families.
• Provision of assistive devices to 3343 disabled persons (the majority of them being children)

PRCS Publications on Rehabilitation (2000 – 2005):
• Palestinian Educational Sign Language Dictionary.
• Home & School Enrichment Program Activities.
• Disability Guide
• Parents’ Guide For Dealing With The Deaf / Hearing Impaired.