The Association is constituted under the name ASSOCIATION “NEURO-ENVIRONMENTAL REHABILITATION 21”, referred to as “NER21”, with the objective of assuming legal and corporate organization in the form of an association under article 60 of the Swiss Civil Code.

Goal
The purpose of the association is to promote and develop the approach “Neuro-Environmental Rehabilitation 21/NER 21” and to be a platform for professional and social exchange, for education and for research.

The association “NER21” recognizes the right to medical and social rehabilitation for persons with disabilities, as defined in Resolution 3447, article 6 of the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Handicapped Persons.

Definition of approach “NER21”
Neuro-environmental Rehabilitation 21 (NER21) is 21st century concept of neurological rehabilitation for persons with a lesion of the central nervous system (CNS). This approach uses the reference framework of the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

It is a Bobath-based rehabilitation approach incorporating the principles of systems theory, as well as those of Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) and Outcome-Base Rehabilitation (OBR). The principal goal is to increase functional independence and quality of life of the person with a lesion of the CNS.

The approach “NER21” integrates current knowledge of movement science (motor control and motor learning), of neuronal plasticity and outcome-based research.

Clinical practice of NER21 integrates evidence-based practice (EBP) and its basis in the integration of current research, recognition of expert clinical opinion and respect for the patient’s preferences. The individual is encouraged to take the lead in determining his or her own goals and in deciding upon priorities for rehabilitation.

The NER21 approach takes as its starting point the Bobath concept and the Bobath-Based Rehabilitation approach (BBR).

Members
a) founder members
b) active members :

• Expert clinicians in NER 21 as accepted by the committee
• Health professionals with at least 30 hours’ of education in NER 21
  (or other education approved by the committee).

c) members of the college of experts in NER21, nominated by the committee (consultative body)
d) associate members :

• persons with a neurological lesion
• family and entourage of a person with a neurological lesion
• graduates and students in the health professions, who do not meet the conditions for active membership
• community associations
• rehabilitation centres, hospitals, private clinics or institutions

e) benefactors or donors who support the association
f) honorary members - persons particularly deserving this honour, elected by the general assembly on the proposal of the committee

Committee 
President
Michèle H. Gerber, physiotherapist, senior Instructor IBITA (International Bobath Instructors Training Association) / specialized in Bobath-based Rehabilitation/BBR, Expert clinician in NER21.

Vice-president
Dr. med Ursula K. Imhof, physician, specialized in rehabilitation , sports medicine and psychosomatic, member of the college of experts in NER21

Treasurer
Nicole Piaget , founder of Gesfico-Nicole Piaget (Fiduciary mandates)

Ursula K. Imhof - Michèle H. Gerber - Nicole Piaget