The BUDS Institutions: Kerala Model for Rehabilitation of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

In India, individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) frequently encounter significant obstacles in accessing education, training, employment, and rehabilitation services. These challenges place substantial financial and emotional demands on their caregivers. This study investigates the pioneering approach of Kerala's BUDS institutions, which employ Community-Based Participatory Rehabilitation (CBPR) to empower these individuals and their families. The study adopted a descriptive phenomenological approach and interviewed fourteen mothers of children with IDD and four special educators. The article evaluates the profound impact of BUDS institutions on fostering the community inclusion of individuals with IDD from the perspective of parents and stakeholders. The emerging themes from the study are education, rehabilitation, and support to parents. The study offers valuable recommendations for further enhancement. While BUDS presents a promising model for inclusivity, it underscores the imperative need for collaborative initiatives and sustained investments to construct a genuinely inclusive society that accommodates individuals with IDD with dignity and equity.