Georgia’s top officials voice support for international disability day
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As the world marked International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Georgia’s two top officials revealed the importance of raising awareness of people with disabilities and the need to accept their valuable role in society.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an annual event dedicated to support people with disabilities and raising public awareness of their rights.
In special statements today Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili and Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili both revealed their views on how the public should be more tolerant towards people with disabilities.
Margvelashvili stressed "protecting the rights of people with disabilities [and] ensuring their active involvement in public life” must be something every Georgian should support.
The condition of these people is a clear reflection of state and society’s cultural development. The basis of this culture must be knowledge that if the person is restricted in ability by the law of nature, [the person] is valuable in other ways,” Margvelashvili said.
The President added that every person, no matter what age, race, gender or ability, had the right to live in a decent place and be treated fairly by society.
That’s why protecting the rights of disabled persons and ensuring their active involvement in the community is the aim of all of us. It is the common task of the Government, society, the private sector, people with disabilities themselves and their families,” the President said.
Additionally, in a separate statement Prime Minister Garibashvili stressed that his Government was doing its utmost to create positive conditions for people with disabilities.
In 2013 we ratified a convention of the United Nations (UN) on protecting the rights of people with disabilities.
Through the deal we took a range of responsibilities to offer a safe environment, acceptable infrastructure and education for these people. Protecting the rights of people with disabilities is one of the main priorities of my Government,” Garibashvili said.
The PM stressed through joint efforts Georgia had the potential to become a leading state in terms of inclusion and protecting the rights of people with disabilities.
Georgia is raising awareness and promoting social acceptance of people with disabilities by improving access to public services.
Georgia is about to undergo a nationwide renovation project to make the country more accessible for locals and tourists with disabilities. Today officials announced Mtskheta, a high-profile tourist area, will be the first of several Georgian cities to undergo changes to make the areas accessible for tourists of all abilities.
The Government of Georgia has revealed how it plans to tackle major social issues and better support the country’s vulnerable population.
The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia spent two years with international partners developing an online database that explained professional terms and industry specific jargon for the purpose of expanding Georgia’s national sign language.
Georgia’s capital is taking action to raise awareness and acceptance of people with disabilities by hosting several events this month, including a photo exhibition showing intimate details of the lives of people with disabilities.
Georgia is the fourth country in the world to have implemented free SMS and video-messaging services for deaf people to contact the country’s emergency services.
A new centre is being built in Tbilisi to help and support people with disabilities become more engaged in social activities.
People with disabilities should be treated with dignity and respect, and Georgia is doing all it can to support these vulnerable people, says the country’s Prime Minister.
Today Georgia is marking the international day of people with disabilities