APD’s Life Cycle Approach: A Case Study of Disability Empowerment in Rural Karnataka

This case study examines The Association of People with Disability (APD)’s Life Cycle Approach (LCA) as an integrated model for disability empowerment in rural Karnataka, with particular emphasis on the Kalyana Karnataka region. Drawing on APD’s Annual Report 2024–25 and programme dashboards, we analyze how APD sequences interventions across life stages—from Early Intervention and Inclusive Education to Rehabilitation, Community Mental Health, Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation, and Livelihoods—while simultaneously strengthening systems through policy engagement, community-based rehabilitation (CBR), and mobile outreach (Rehab on Wheels). The analysis highlights notable outcomes in 2024–25: 506,693 people impacted in total (239,309 primary and 267,384 secondary beneficiaries); scalable last‑mile delivery through Gram Panchayat‑level camps and mobile therapy; strong employability outcomes from skilling (99.5% completion; average placement salary ₹13,662; 120+ inclusive employers engaged); and evidence of functional gains among children receiving therapy. The paper concludes with lessons for practitioners and policymakers on designing place‑based, longitudinal disability services that can be adapted to low‑resource rural contexts.